Electric Distribution Engineer, Associate

Pacific Gas and Electric Company; Rocklin (CA); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Pacific Gas and Electric Company is hiring an entry-level Electrical Engineer in Rocklin. The role is hybrid, with three days on-site and two remote days each week, focusing on electric distribution planning within the EAM department.

You will perform planning studies, model the distribution system, and assist in reliability projects under ESC representation. The position requires a BSEE/MSEE/PhD and offers compensation aligned with CA ranges, with emphasis on energy system reliability and

Qualifications

• Minimum: A BSEE, MSEE, or PhD in Electrical Engineering from an ABET-accredited program or equivalent outside the U.S.

Responsibilities

• Submit reconstruction capacity and reliability long-term and short-term project recommendations. May handle low-complexity projects like line equipment and overhead line construction/reconductoring projects under a thousand feet.
• Model and analyze the electric distribution system; identify deficiencies and prepare long-term and short-term plans. Prepare PPRs and justifications for actions.
• Prepare switching plans, document distribution needs for estimating, review large customer load requests, and ensure adequate capacity and reliability.
• Provide technical assistance to address voltage issues, participate in reliability/root-cause meetings, and support outage prevention efforts.

Skills

Power systems

Circuit analysis

Python scripting

Education

BSEE/MSEE/PhD

Tools

CYME

Job description

Requisition ID# 174464

Job Category: Engineering / Science

Job Level: Individual Contributor

Business Unit: Strategy & Growth

Work Type: Hybrid

Job Location: Rocklin

Department Overview

Electric Asset Management (EAM) Distribution Planning (DP) team ensures safe, reliable and efficient operation of the electric distribution system by providing timely and innovative engineering and technical support associated with the planning, design, construction and maintenance functions. EAM DP is part of the EAM System Planning and Reliability group and has overall responsibility for the utilization of area and equipment capacity, voltage and power factor support and the reliability of the primary electric distribution systems.

Position Summary

This entry-level job is represented by Engineers and Scientists of California (ESC) subject to collective bargaining.

This position is hybrid, working from your remote office and your assigned work location 3 days per week (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays).

PG&E is providing the salary range that the company in good faith believes it might pay for this position at the time of thejob posting. This compensation range is specific to the locality of the job. The actual salary paid to an individual will be based on multiple factors, including, but not limited to, specific skills, education, licenses or certifications, experience,market value, geographic location, collective bargaining agreements, and internal equity.

The annual salary range is:

CA Minimum, $99,936

CA Maximum, $150,108

Responsibilities

• Submits reconstruction capacity and reliability long term and short term project recommendations. May be assigned project management duties, of low complexity projects such as line equipment (e.g. reclosers, capacitor bank) and overhead line construction/reconductoring projects less than a thousand feet. Monitors area substation and circuit capabilities and track corresponding loads. Prepares proposals, including justification, for appropriate corrective actions to address deficiencies found.
• Performs planning studies to correctly model the electric distribution system and works with Mapping to ensure discrepancies are corrected in associated records system. Analyzes historical loads and projects future growth. Prepares long‑term and short‑term plans to identify and correct area deficiencies. Prepares draft Preliminary Planning Reviews (PPR’s). Identifies alternatives to address deficiencies for project authorizations (e.g. advanced authorizations, project authorizations, simple business cases, etc). Reviews and analyzes area distribution systems and takes appropriate actions to maintain power factor and primary voltage within established standards. Determines circuit and associated equipment capabilities within the assigned Distribution Planning Area (DPA).
• Prepares and initiate switching plans to alleviate normal and minimize emergency deficiencies. Prepares necessary documentation about distribution needs for estimating to complete job packages. Reviews requests for new large customer load additions or increases in voltage and recommend actions to correct any deficiencies. Provides direction and reviews primary designs proposed by estimating to ensure adequate capacity and reliability. Prepares settings for load tap changers, distribution protective devices, and other line equipment. Performs circuit protection reviews and makes recommendations for corrections. Determines protection requirements for rule 20, WRO projects and other major distribution projects which could impact the existing protective scheme.
• Initiates service dependability solutions and actively participates in local reliability / root cause meetings. Works closely with construction to prioritize outage prevention work within DPA, addresses customer complaints (Help Tickets) for recurring outages as assigned. Prepares initial responses for CPUC complaints for recurring outages. Supports local DO’s, DEC, construction, or storm room in emergency restoration efforts as required. Provide technical assistance and address customer voltage complaints caused by primary voltage problems. When requested, address’ customer EMF requests involving distribution facilities as assigned, assist E&M and OM&C personnel to address customer voltage complaints caused by secondary voltage problems. Supports estimating, construction, and other departments as required. Reviews, modifies, and recommends switching clearances for feeders, banks and stations as requested by DO’s. Reviews switching arrangements, equipment settings, voltage levels, power factor needs, etc. to ensure the distribution system is operated operating in the most efficient manner.
• Prepare EASOP (economic analysis) for projects in DPA. Prepare other engineering analysis as assigned. Maintain equipment records as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum:

• A BSEE, MSEE, or PhD in Electrical Engineering from a college or university accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology or the equivalent from outside the U.S.

Desired:

• Basic knowledge of power systems.
• Basic knowledge of electrical engineering principles and theory.
• CYME experience.
• Python Scripting experience.