Principal Electrical Engineer

ERock; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

401(k) Company Match

Hybrid Work Schedule

Paid Time Off

Professional development

Equal Opportunity Employer

Job summary

ERock is seeking a Principal Electrical Engineer in the Houston area to lead complex electrical design efforts for distributed generation and microgrid projects. You will mentor engineers, guide interconnection strategies with utility grids, and ensure protection and control with advanced relay applications.

The role requires 10+ years in electrical engineering, deep power systems knowledge, and strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering from an accredited institution.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in electrical engineering with a focus on power systems.
• PE license is highly preferred.
• Experience with HV, MV, and LV systems and utility interconnection.

Responsibilities

• Lead electrical design for distributed generation and microgrid projects.
• Provide advanced technical guidance across HV, MV, and LV systems.
• Develop interconnection requirements and analyze power quality and stability.
• Design and optimize protection and control schemes and relay applications.
• Conduct load flow, short circuit, arc flash, and transient studies.
• Mentor junior engineers and collaborate across departments.
• Review drawings and specifications for deliverables and compliance.
• Incorporate new technologies and industry best practices.

Skills

Power systems

Distributed generation

Microgrid experience

Technical leadership

Mentorship

Clear communication

Education

Bachelor’s or higher in Electrical Engineering

Tools

ETAP

SKM PowerTools

PSCAD

Job description

Job Type

Full-time

Description

ERock is a leader and innovator in distributed energy. ERock has responded to long-term trends in electricity by becoming the first smart-grid supplier to US energy consumers. The company installs, operates, and integrates its highly flexible, low-cost, and quick-response distributed generation to increase reliability and stability, reduce costs and decrease carbon footprint.

We are

ERock is a leader and innovator in distributed energy. ERock has responded to long-term trends in electricity by becoming the first smart-grid supplier to US energy consumers. The company installs, operates, and integrates its highly flexible, low-cost, and quick-response distributed generation to increase reliability and stability, reduce costs and decrease carbon footprint. At ERock, our backup generators ensure that customers will never be without power, allowing their business to operate normally when there is an outage in the area. Our innovative approach provides customers with highly reliable, ultra-clean backup generation at a fraction of the cost of traditional backup solutions. We seek those who share our commitment to customer service, innovation, and ingenuity.

What You'll Do

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Principal Electrical Engineer to serve as a technical expert and leader within our Electrical Engineering team. In this role, you will be responsible for leading complex electrical design efforts, providing advanced technical guidance, and ensuring the highest standards of engineering quality for our distributed generation and microgrid projects. You will drive technical solutions across high voltage, medium voltage, and low voltage systems, focusing on seamless integration with utility grids, robust protection schemes, and innovative relay applications. This position requires a deep understanding of power systems and the ability to mentor junior engineers while contributing significantly to project success.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

• Leading the electrical design and engineering for complex distributed generation and microgrid projects, ensuring technical excellence and adherence to all relevant codes and standards.
• Providing expert technical guidance and solutions across high voltage (HV), medium voltage (MV), and low voltage (LV) electrical systems within our project portfolio.
• Developing and implementing advanced strategies for the integration of generation assets with utility grids, including interconnection requirements, power quality, and stability analyses.
• Designing and optimizing comprehensive protection and control schemes, including the selection and application of protective relays for various power system components.
• Conducting detailed power system studies such as load flow, short circuit, arc flash, and transient stability analyses.
• Serving as a subject matter expert for electrical engineering challenges, offering innovative solutions and technical mentorship to project teams and junior engineers.
• Collaborating with cross functional teams including Project Management, Operations, and other engineering disciplines to ensure successful project execution from conceptual design through commissioning.
• Reviewing and approving electrical engineering deliverables, including one-line diagrams, schematics, equipment specifications, and construction drawings.
• Evaluating and incorporating new technologies and industry best practices in electrical power systems, microgrids, and distributed energy resources.
• Contributing to the development of engineering standards, processes, and tools to enhance efficiency and quality within the Electrical Engineering department.
• Substation design experience is a significant plus, contributing to the development and review of substation layouts, equipment specifications, and protection systems.

Basic (Required) Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering from an accredited institution.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in electrical engineering, with a strong focus on power systems, distributed generation, and microgrids.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license is highly preferred.
• Extensive expertise in the design and analysis of HV, MV, and LV electrical systems.
• Demonstrated experience with utility interconnection requirements and generation integration.
• In depth knowledge of protection systems, protective relaying principles, and associated software tools.
• Proficiency in power system analysis software (e.g., ETAP, SKM PowerTools, PSCAD).
• Strong understanding of National Electrical Code (NEC), IEEE, and other relevant industry standards.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts clearly and concisely.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects in a dynamic environment.
• Experience with substation design is a strong advantage.

Preferred Qualifications

• Possess a comprehensive understanding of power system dynamics, grid codes, and utility interconnection processes.
• Demonstrate exceptional problem-solving skills and the ability to tackle complex technical challenges independently.
• Have a proven track record of successfully leading technical aspects of large-scale electrical projects.
• Are passionate about mentoring and developing other engineers.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Prescription Drug Insurance
• Company Paid Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Wellness Programs and Incentives
• 401(k) Retirement Plan & Company Match
• Paid Time Off – Sick & Vacation Time
• Paid Holidays
• Hybrid Work Schedule!
• Cool Open Office Concept

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

ERock is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

At ERock, we embrace diversity, including all the unique characteristics that make us human: race, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, and education — to name a few. We understand and recognize that diverse backgrounds and perspectives strengthen our teams and our business. The foundation of our diversity efforts is closely tied to our core values specifically our value of “The Team” which includes “Mutual Respect, Openness, and Honesty.”