Project Engineer- Energy Recovery - Electrical/Control Systems

Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts; Whittier (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts is seeking an Energy Recovery Engineer to support electrical and instrumentation needs at solid waste facilities. This role involves managing energy portfolios, designing control systems, and contributing to sustainability efforts. Ideal candidates will have experience in SCADA programming and network integration, along with relevant engineering degrees.

Qualifications

• Valid California Class C driver license required.
• Bachelor's and master's degrees in engineering or related fields.
• Two years of engineering experience post-degree.

Responsibilities

• Perform electrical and instrumentation engineering for solid waste facilities.
• Manage the Districts' energy portfolio.
• Coordinate with Southern California Edison.

Skills

SCADA programming

HMI development

Network integration

Electrical engineering principles

Energy recovery principles

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Master's degree in engineering

Engineer-In-Training Certificate

Job description

THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICTS

invites applications for the position of:

Energy Recovery (Electrical/Control System) Engineer/Engineering Associate II, III
POSTING #BR-096-25E

Are you ready to play a critical role in advancing energy recovery and sustainability at one of Southern California’s largest public agencies? The Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts are seeking a skilled and motivated Project Engineer to support the electrical and instrumentation needs of our solid waste facilities and power generation systems. In this dynamic role, you will manage energy portfolios, design power and control systems, oversee procurement contracts, and coordinate with external agencies and service providers. You’ll also contribute to major capital improvement projects through functional testing, commissioning, and cross-agency collaboration. Candidates with advanced SCADA programming, HMI development, and network integration experience will have the opportunity to lead modernization efforts for our legacy control systems. If you’re passionate about engineering solutions that support long-term sustainability and operational excellence, we encourage you to apply.

SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT, ENERGY RECOVERY ENGINEERING SECTION, JOINT ADMINISTRATION OFFICE, WHITTIER

OUR MISSION

The Sanitation Districts protect public health and the environment through innovative and cost-effective wastewater and solid waste management, and in doing so convert waste into resources such as recycled water, energy and recycled materials.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
To perform professional electrical/control system engineering work and coordinate progressively more complex projects in a variety of engineering disciplines including civil, architectural, structural, and mechanical engineering disciplines.

JOB SUMMARY:

The major job responsibilities are listed below. For more detailed information, please review thejob description.

Under the general supervision of a Supervising Engineer, the incumbent will:

• Perform electrical and instrumentation engineering related to the design, operation and maintenance of the Districts' solid waste facilities and power generation assets
• Manage the Districts' energy portfolio
• Serve as a contact with Southern California Edison for Districts' facilities
• Participate in purchase and sale of electricity, renewable natural gas and related products
• Administer energy service and procurement contracts
• Develop electrical and instrumentation drawings and specifications
• Design low- and medium- voltage power distribution systems and PLC- and hardwired- based control systems
• Develop project cost estimates and economic analyses
• Review design reports including control descriptions, P&ID, and other instrumentation submittals
• Review contractor and vendor O&Ms and as-built drawings
• Provide support for construction inspection and perform functional testing and commissioning for capital improvement projects
• Coordinate the work with other Districts' sections and outside agencies

The incumbent may perform the following job duties if they possess the desirable qualifications:

• Advanced SCADA system programming (ladder logic and function blocks)
• Human Machine Interface (HMI) and Operator Interface graphical visualization development
• Network development and server virtualization
• Develop and select SCADA system optimization/modernization for legacy control systems and standards

Candidates must possessall ofthe following:

A valid California Class C driver license

-AND-

ENGINEERING ASSOCIATE II LEVEL:

• Option 1: A bachelor's degree and master’s degree both in a pertinent engineering discipline from an accredited and recognized college or university
• Option 2: A bachelor's degree from an accredited and recognized college or university in a related science with an Engineer-In-Training Certificate and a master's degree from an accredited and recognized college or university in a pertinent engineering discipline
• Option 3: Two (2) years of professional engineering experience subsequent to earning a bachelor's degree in engineering from an accredited and recognized college or university

ENGINEERING ASSOCIATE III LEVEL:

• Option 1: Two (2) years of experience as an Engineering Associate II
• Option 2: Four (4) years of professional engineering experience subsequent to earning a bachelor's degree in engineering from an accredited and recognized college or university.

ENGINEER LEVEL:

• Possession of a Certificate of Registration as a Professional Engineer with the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists
• AND:
• Option 1:Six (6) years of professional engineering experience subsequent to earning a bachelor's degree in engineering from an accredited and recognized college or university
• Option 2:A master's degree in engineering from an accredited and recognized college or university -AND- Three (3) years of professional engineering experience
• Option 3:A PhD in engineering from an accredited and recognized college or university -AND- two (2) years of professional engineering experience

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

The ideal candidate possesses the following:

• At least three (3) years of experience as an Electrical Engineer/Control Systems Engineer designing, developing, and troubleshooting SCADA and industrial control systems for landfill, wastewater, power generation, petrochemical, or heavy industrial facilities projects
• More than three (3) years of experience with the entire suite of Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk View software and Logix-based PLC hardware families, as well as experience with OSIsoft Pi System Data Enterprise configuration and administration

The competitive selection process forALL CLASSESmay include:

Knowledge of:

• Electrical engineering principles, energy systems, and industrial controls.
• Energy recovery electrical principles, including sustainability and efficiency strategies.
• Instrumentation and control signal types commonly used in industrial and utility settings.
• SCADA systems and their components within industrial control environments.
• Technical drawings and their use in system design and field implementation.

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with Districts staff, the public, consultants and vendors.
• Prepare, review, check or interpret electrical and instrumentation engineering plans and specifications.
• Write technical documents such as preliminary design reports and electrical system study reports.

NOTE:This posting will remain open until vacancy is filled and is subject to closure without notice.

SELECTION PROCESS:

• All applications will be reviewed to determine if the conditions and qualifications for testing are met.
• The selection process tentatively consists of an interview weighted at 100% and will be the same for all qualified applicants.
• The initial review of applications is expected to begin the week of June 9.

TO APPLY:

Please apply online atgovernmentjobs.comwithin this application period. By using the online application system, you will receive confirmation via e-mail that your application was received for this position. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed LACSD Employment Application or online application.Check your email regularly throughout the recruitment process as notifications may be sent via e-mail. Please verify that your registered email address is accurate and current. To ensure proper delivery, [e-mail] your contact list.

NOTES:

The individual(s) recommended for hire must undergo a job-related reference check, DMV report, and a drug test.
• Candidates who have completed their required college or university coursework outside the United States must provide a comprehensive evaluation of their foreign transcripts and degrees upon selection for this position.

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Brandi Reyes [e-mail].

As an equal opportunity employer, the Districts strongly encourage people with disabilities and people from historically marginalized communities to apply.

To learn more about how the Sanitation Districts converts waste into resources, please visit the following video: Converting Waste into Resources.