Principal Electrical Engineer

SMUD; Sacramento (CA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

SMUD is seeking a Principal Electrical Engineer to support Balancing Authority (BA) and Transmission Operator (TOP) operations. You will oversee electrical design, project oversight, and regulatory compliance, guiding complex interconnection studies and commissioning activities for reliable service.

You will lead cross-disciplinary teams, mentor engineers, and ensure adherence to NERC standards, so SMUD can meet safety, reliability, and cost objectives for the Bulk Electric System.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related field.
• 7+ years of progressively responsible experience in design, construction, or maintenance of electrical systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead electrical design and construction for facility life cycle projects.
• Oversee contract lifecycle: RFPs, bid evaluation, and awards.
• Ensure compliance with NERC/WECC standards and document audits.
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams for safe, reliable operation.
• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to engineers.

Skills

Electrical engineering

NERC Standards

Data analysis (Excel)

Project leadership

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering

Tools

SKM

ETAP

CAD

Microsoft Office

Job description

In support of our safe and reliable operation and clean energy goals, SMUD is seeking a highly engaged and experienced Principal Electrical Engineer for providing engineering support and compliance oversight to the Balancing Authority (BA) and Transmission Operator (TOP) operations. Under the direction of the Manager of Transmission Planning & Reliability Services, this position has the responsibilities of providing technical expertise and operational support to new generation and transmission projects, from the development of Interconnection Agreements to the testing and commissioning of the projects, overseeing operations compliance with FERC/NERC/WECC Reliability Standards and Criteria, performing summer assessment and Western Power Pool (WPP) data analysis, as well as providing mentoring and coaching to lower level engineers, for the safe, reliable, and cost-effective operation of the Bulk Electric System for SMUD and Balancing Authority of Northern California (BANC).

Purpose

Provides technical, functional and/or consultative electrical engineering expertise and direction to core responsibilities, including major and the most complex problem resolution/project oversight assignments, by applying professional engineering standards in the most efficient, safe and cost-effective manner, and that comply with regulatory requirements and restrictions.

Nature and Scope

There are four (4) levels in this job classification series that have similar job content but with progressively more challenging degrees and levels of skill, responsibility, knowledge, experience and qualification requirements:

Flex Classifications (that permit progression from lower-level classes to higher level classes without examination based upon assessment of an individual's experience and performance) within the series:

• Entry: Incumbent acquires knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the tasks associated within the series but are not yet demonstrating these at the Journey level.
• Journey: Incumbent is demonstrating the required skills and knowledge to independently perform the full scope of the job.

Non-Flex Classifications (that promote from lower-level classes to higher level classes and require an examination, such as an interview, based upon individual experience and performance) within the series:

• Senior: Advanced journey level resource who is responsible for advanced assignments, as dictated by the work needing to be performed; may serve in a lead capacity.
• Principal: Subject matter expert/lead level and is responsible for leading the most advanced work, as dictated by the work needing to be performed.

Entry to Journey: Incumbents at the entry level are required to successfully “progress” to the journey level within 60 months of appointment to remain within the job series.

Seniors and Principals must be hired through a promotional process and do not automatically progress from lower levels in the series.

Duties and Responsibilities

Facilities Engineering and Projects

• Leadership in Electrical Design and Construction: Lead the electrical engineering design and implementation efforts for facility life cycle replacements, upgrades and modifications, ensuring that designs meet all technical, regulatory, and project objectives. Oversee the development, assessment, troubleshooting, and implementation of electrical systems across various building types, including critical and non-critical such as Data Centers, Power & Control Centers, Central Plant facilities and general office buildings.
• Contract and Procurement Management: Manage the entire contract lifecycle, including the preparation of RFPs, evaluation of bid submissions for technical and cost adequacy, and participation in contract award decisions. Oversee contract administration, ensuring project completion in accordance with contract terms, SMUD policies, quality/cost standards, and governmental regulations.
• Regulatory Compliance and Documentation: Understand, read, assess, interpret and apply applicable federal, state, and local codes/regulations. Drive the preparation of detailed evaluation, studies, and documentation of facilities systems to ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements or to establish requirements for plant modifications.
• Collaboration and Multidisciplinary Coordination: Collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary team, including architecture, structural engineering, mechanical engineering, security, and external consultants/contractors, to ensure integrated project delivery and seamless operation of mission-critical facilities.
• Project Planning, Coordination, and Oversight: Plan, coordinate, prioritize, monitor, and guide work activities for internal and external projects, ensuring that tasks are completed effectively and contribute to the successful completion of department projects in alignment with established objectives and schedules.
• Standards Development and System Management: Develop and maintain electrical operations and maintenance procedures, methods of procedures (MOPs), and sequence of operations (SOOs) for crafts and trades personnel. Oversee the maintenance and enhancement of building electrical systems, ensuring optimal operation, reliability, and compliance with industry standards.
• Technical Analysis and System Optimization: Conduct and interpret short circuit, coordination studies, perform electrical system analysis, and manage arc flash analysis and labeling. Utilize software tools such as SKM, ETAP, CAD, and Microsoft Office for system analysis, design, and documentation, ensuring the operational efficiency and safety of critical facilities.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

Reliability and Compliance

• Understand, interpret and apply the NERC Reliability Standards governing the operations, maintenance, and planning of the bulk electric system.
• Monitor and review compliance with NERC Reliability Standards, particularly in Operations and Planning (O&P) areas. Review root cause analysis, extent of condition investigations, and technical documentation as required, and prepare an independent assessment of compliance with a standard.
• Lead technical efforts to prepare for NERC O&P reliability audits. Ensure accuracy and completeness of NERC RSAWs (Reliability Standards Audit Worksheets). Manage and review documentation that will be used to demonstrate compliance.
• Organize and lead workshops to educate subject matter experts (SMEs) on NERC Standards applications and revisions. Ensure there is a lead knowledgeable on their compliance requirements and internal controls for each NERC requirement.
• Collaborate with the SMEs in the Operations, Generation, Transmission, Substation, and other disciplines responsible for maintaining NERC compliance. Provide expert technical guidance regarding the interpretation or application of the requirements and standards as needed.

Required Education

• Bachelor’s degree majoring in electrical engineering or related field from an accredited college or university.

Required Experience Qualifications

• At least seven (7+) years of progressively responsible relevant work experience in the design, construction, and/or maintenance of electrical systems deployed by SMUD.

Knowledge Of

Safety policies, practices and procedures; theory, fundamentals and practices of motors, lighting, linear circuits, transient analysis, amplifiers, control logic, economics, and environmental qualifications; federal, state and local codes and regulations governing power plant and/or various building types, including critical and non-critical such as Data Centers, Power & Control Centers, Central Plant facilities, and general office buildings engineering, operations and safety; operating and construction maintenance procedures; procedures and practices for monitoring and managing projects; fundamentals and practices for contract management; standard operating procedures for modern office equipment including a computer and applicable software; English grammar, punctuation and vocabulary standards.

Skills To

Provide designs for all relevant safety and environmental qualifications and electrical and control systems and components of power plants and/or various building types, including critical and non-critical such as Data Centers, Power & Control Centers, Central Plant facilities and general office buildings; plan, oversee and review the work of others; plan, organize, prioritize and schedule projects; monitor and manage projects and assigned project personnel and groups; assess procedures/systems and develop/implement operational improvements; interpret, evaluate and apply pertinent policies, procedures, regulations and requirements; interpret, clarify, understand and assess verbal/written information and ideas; prepare a business case to weigh the relative costs and benefits of a potential action; utilize a personal computer and/or computer terminal, systems and software relevant to the job; communicate effectively orally and in writing internally/externally.

Desirable Qualifications

• NERC Registered RC Operator
• Registration as a Professional Electrical Engineer in the State of California
• Three or more years of experience with BA and TOP operations
• Strong data analysis ability with Excel or other tools

Physical Requirements

Applicants must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Hybrid Work

This position will be required to work onsite one or more days a week on a regular basis; sometimes more or less, depending on the work and, at any of our SMUD locations. SMUD takes pride in powering the Sacramento region community where we live and work. We value the strong working relationships we develop with our colleagues. Our approach to remote work will continue to evolve. Please be aware that should SMUD’s business needs change, emergencies occur, or various other reasons arise, you may be required to report onsite on a part-time or full-time basis.