Principal Electrical Engineer, Power Systems (Remote)

Root Edge; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 155,000 - 186,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

401(k) company match

Paid time off

Job summary

Root Edge is seeking a Principal Electrical Engineer, Power Systems to join its engineering team in Denver, CO, with remote or hybrid options. This senior technical role shapes program direction, leads substation and microgrid projects from design through field execution, and mentors engineers while maintaining client relationships.

The candidate will bring PE licensure, a BSEE, 10+ years in electric utilities, expertise in ETAP/SKM/EasyPower, and strong leadership to guide multi-disciplinary

Qualifications

• BSEE from an accredited university with emphasis in power systems.
• Active Professional Engineer (PE) license is required.
• 10+ years of experience in the electric utility industry; 5+ years in lead roles.
• Expert in power system analysis, distribution modeling, and protection coordination.

Responsibilities

• Lead the engineering design of sub transmission systems, substations, and distribution systems.
• Develop concept designs, calculations, and estimates for projects.
• Develop microgrid packages with renewable and fossil generation assets.
• Serve as Lead Engineer; review and approve design reports and procedures.
• Develop and review electrical system models in ETAP or equivalent.
• Write electrical specifications for major electrical equipment.
• Provide protection and relaying expertise; guide field crews.
• Schedule field walks; support construction teams with cost tracking and estimates.
• Maintain strong client relationships as a technical authority.
• Stay current on utility standards across O&M, renewables, and new installations.
• Mentor junior engineers and support their career development.

Skills

Power systems analysis

Substation design

Protective device coordination

ETAP/SKM/EasyPower

Project leadership

Client facing

Mentoring

Education

BSEE with power systems emphasis

PE license

Tools

ETAP

SKM

EasyPower

Microsoft Project

Job description

Remote OR Hybrid in Denver, CO | Permanent

The Opportunity

A high growth electric utility solutions firm, one that pairs consultant level engineering depth with the hands on insight of an actual utility operator, is adding a Principal Electrical Engineer, Power Systems to its engineering team. Through a sister utility operations company, the firm supports long term utility privatization contracts nationwide, giving it an uniquely stable, well funded project pipeline.

This is the senior technical seat on the team. The Principal Engineer is recognized as a specialist in the field, and the role directly shapes the direction and resource allocation of the firm’s programs and projects. For a seasoned power systems engineer who wants to set technical direction, lead complex substation and microgrid work (500 kW to 10 MW), and build the next generation of engineers around them, this is a rare opportunity to have real influence on both the work and the team.

Note: this role sits with a federal contractor. Candidates must be U.S. citizens or green card holders and able to obtain Military Base Security Access Clearance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the engineering design of sub transmission systems, substations, switching stations, and complex commercial and industrial power distribution systems.
• Develop concept design alternatives, engineering calculations, analysis, and estimates for substation and distribution system improvement projects.
• Develop conceptual and detailed engineering packages for microgrids incorporating renewable and fossil fuel generation assets.
• Serve as Lead Engineer, preparing, reviewing, and approving design reports and procedures.
• Develop and review complex electrical system models in ETAP (or equivalent), validating study findings and recommendations.
• Write electrical specifications for major electrical apparatus.
• Bring deep protection and relaying expertise to the team, analyzing fault events, power quality issues, and loading scenarios and guiding field crews through corrective action.
• Schedule and lead field walk downs to define project requirements, and support construction teams throughout the project lifecycle on cost tracking and estimate basis.
• Maintain strong, responsive client relationships as a trusted technical authority.
• Keep the organization current on utility industry standards and codes across O&M, replacement and renewable, and new installation work.
• Mentor junior engineers, oversee their project tasks, and actively support their career development.

Why This Role Stands Out

This firm operates one of the more distinctive platforms in the industry: an engineering consultancy that also holds direct operational ownership of the systems it designs. At the principal level, that shows up in a few concrete ways:

• Real influence. This role helps set program direction and resource priorities, not just execute assigned scope.
• Your work doesn’t stop at the drawing set. You stay connected to the asset through commissioning and operations and see directly how design decisions hold up in the field.
• A genuinely stable pipeline. Long term utility privatization contracts mean the backlog isn’t dependent on any single client relationship or market cycle.
• A team worth building. A family owned, collaborative engineering culture with a hybrid schedule, real work life balance, and repeated external recognition as a top workplace.

Candidate Profile

• BSEE from an accredited university, with emphasis in power systems
• Active Professional Engineer (PE) license (required)
• 10+ years of experience in the electric utility industry, with ideally at least 5 years in a Lead, Supervisor, or Project Manager role
• Subject matter expert in power system analysis, distribution system modeling, and protective device coordination
• Expert level knowledge of medium voltage substations and distribution systems
• High proficiency with ETAP, SKM, EasyPower, or similar power system software
• Experience using Microsoft Project (or similar) to build time, cost, and labor estimates
• Proven ability to develop staff through mentoring and coaching
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills; effective as both technical lead and client facing contact

Additional Requirements

• U.S. citizenship or green card holder required
• Must be able to obtain Military Base Security Access Clearance
• Valid driver’s license required
• Approximately 25% travel to project sites

Compensation & Benefits

Base salary of $155,000 to $186,000, based on experience, plus eligibility for a Short Term Incentive Plan. Full benefits package includes medical, dental, and life insurance, 401(k) with company contribution, and paid time off and holidays.