Principal Electrical Engineer

Actalent; United States; Hybrid; USD 83,000 - 96,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan — pre-tax and 


Life Insurance

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Principal Electrical Engineer in Houston, TX, to lead design and analysis for complex distributed generation and microgrid projects. The role requires deep expertise in high/medium/low voltage systems, interconnection, and protection and control, guiding teams from concept through commissioning.

You will mentor engineers, review deliverables, and drive best practices in power system studies and technology integration across a national client base.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or closely related field.
• 10+ years progressive electrical engineering experience focused on power systems, distributed generation, and microgrids.
• Experience with utility interconnection requirements and generation integration.
• Strong knowledge of protection and control systems and NEC/IEEE standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead electrical design for distributed generation and microgrid projects, ensuring compliance with codes and standards.
• Provide expert guidance across HV, MV, and LV systems within diverse projects.
• Develop strategies for integrating generation assets with utility grids and perform power quality analyses.
• Design protection and control schemes, select and configure protective relays.
• Perform power system studies (load flow, short circuit, transient stability) using ETAP/PSCAD.
• Mentor junior engineers and review deliverables like diagrams, schematics, and equipment specs.

Job description

Job Title: Principal Electrical Engineer

Job Description

The Principal Electrical Engineer leads the technical design and analysis of complex distributed generation and microgrid projects, with a strong focus on power systems, utility interconnection, and protection and control. This role serves as a subject matter expert for high, medium, and low voltage electrical systems, guiding project teams from conceptual design through commissioning and ensuring all solutions meet industry standards, grid codes, and utility requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead the electrical design and engineering for complex distributed generation and microgrid projects, ensuring technical excellence and compliance with all relevant codes and standards.
• Provide expert technical guidance across high voltage, medium voltage, and low voltage electrical systems within a diverse project portfolio.
• Develop and implement advanced strategies for integrating generation assets with utility grids, including interconnection requirements, power quality, and stability analyses.
• Design and optimize comprehensive protection and control schemes, including the selection, application, and settings of protective relays for various power system components.
• Conduct detailed power system studies, including load flow, short circuit, arc flash, and transient stability analyses, using appropriate software tools.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for complex electrical engineering challenges, offering innovative solutions and technical mentorship to project teams and junior engineers.
• Collaborate closely with cross‑functional teams, including Project Management, Operations, and other engineering disciplines, to ensure successful project execution from conceptual design through commissioning.
• Review and approve electrical engineering deliverables, such as one‑line diagrams, schematics, equipment specifications, and construction drawings, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
• Evaluate and incorporate new technologies and industry best practices in electrical power systems, microgrids, and distributed energy resources.
• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of engineering standards, processes, and tools to enhance efficiency and quality within the Electrical Engineering function.
• Support substation‑related work by contributing to the development and review of substation layouts, equipment specifications, and protection and control systems when applicable.
• Lead technical aspects of large‑scale electrical projects, ensuring that engineering decisions support grid stability, power quality, and long‑term reliability.
• Mentor and develop junior engineers by providing guidance, feedback, and knowledge sharing on power systems, protection, and utility interconnection.
• Participate in commissioning activities for distributed generation, microgrids, and related systems, helping to resolve technical issues and validate performance.
• Engage with utility interconnection processes by preparing and reviewing technical documentation, addressing utility feedback, and supporting approvals.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering from an accredited institution.
• 10+ years of progressive electrical engineering experience with a strong focus on power systems, distributed generation, and microgrids.
• Extensive expertise in the design and analysis of high voltage, medium voltage, and low voltage electrical power systems.
• Demonstrated experience with utility interconnection requirements and generation integration, including connecting generation assets, microgrids, or substations to the utility grid.
• In‑depth knowledge of protection and control systems, protective relaying principles, and protection system design.
• Hands‑on experience designing protection schemes and selecting protective relay settings for fault protection and coordination.
• Significant experience performing power system studies, including load flow, short circuit, arc flash, and stability studies.
• Proficiency with power system analysis software such as ETAP and PSCAD, and similar industry tools.
• Strong understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC), IEEE standards, and other relevant industry electrical standards.
• Experience leading electrical design efforts on complex, large‑scale power system projects.
• Ability to review and approve engineering deliverables, including one‑line diagrams, schematics, equipment specifications, and construction drawings.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly and concisely.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects effectively in a dynamic environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) license is highly preferred.
• Microgrid project experience, including islanding, synchronization, and distributed generation systems.
• Distributed generation project experience across a variety of technologies and configurations.
• Substation design experience, including layouts, equipment specifications, and protection and control systems.
• Substation protection and control experience, including relay coordination and system integration.
• Experience with grid stability and power quality analysis, including dynamic behavior of power systems and mitigation strategies.
• Proven track record of successfully leading technical aspects of large‑scale electrical projects.
• Experience mentoring and developing junior engineers and fostering technical growth within a team.
• Commissioning experience for power systems, distributed generation, and microgrid installations.
• Comprehensive understanding of power system dynamics, grid codes, and utility interconnection processes.
• Exceptional problem‑solving skills and the ability to tackle complex technical challenges independently.
• Strong interest in innovation and continuous improvement in electrical engineering practices and tools.

Work Environment

This position operates in a hybrid work environment. The Principal Electrical Engineer works on‑site in a downtown office three days per week, typically Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, collaborating closely with cross‑functional teams. Remote work is available on Monday and Friday, providing flexibility while maintaining strong engagement with project stakeholders. The organization focuses on designing, installing, operating, and integrating flexible, cost‑effective, rapid‑response distributed generation and microgrid systems that enhance reliability, grid stability, and sustainability for customers across the United States. The culture emphasizes customer service, innovation, and operational excellence, and values engineers who are technically hands‑on, passionate about solving complex power system challenges, and committed to mentoring others and contributing to a growing, forward‑looking energy team.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Houston, TX.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $60.00 - $70.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job‑related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your jobclassification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefitsavailable for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre‑tax and Roth post‑tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long‑term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Houston,TX.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 28, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.