Senior Electrical Engineer – Geothermal Power Systems

Critical Energy; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity options

Medical coverage (PlatinumHD/HSA)

Dental and vision coverage

Catered lunch

Team building outings

Job summary

Critical Energy is seeking a hands-on Electrical Engineer to design and size MV and LV electrical systems for ORC geothermal power. You will work with grid interconnection engineers, thermodynamics, and hardware design teams to select equipment, run ETAP analyses, and develop complete drawings for commissioning.

The role requires 3–5+ years of relevant experience, strong knowledge of MV systems, and familiarity with NEC/IEEE standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.

Responsibilities

• Design and size medium voltage electrical systems for ORC geothermal power generation (4 kV–15 kV).
• Design and size low voltage auxiliary power systems (480 VAC, 120 VAC, 24 VDC).
• Evaluate and select motors, generators, drives, and protection devices considering efficiency, cost, and lead time.
• Support procurement of surplus MV equipment including breakers, transformers, switchgear, PTs, CTs, NGRs, and arresters.
• Perform power system studies using ETAP (load flow, short circuit, fault analysis, motor starting, arc flash).
• Design generator protection schemes per IEEE C37.102 and configuration of digital relays.
• Size and specify DVRs and excitation systems; support commissioning of AVR and PF control.
• Design plant auxiliary power budgets and generator operating point analyses; validate reactive power planning.
• Collaborate with systems engineering on controls architecture and IEC 61511 safety instrumented systems.
• Ensure all designs comply with applicable standards.
• Produce and maintain 2D electrical drawings (SLDs, schematics, wiring diagrams, panel layouts).
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues across design, procurement, test, and commissioning phases.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication

Cross-functional teamwork

Startup environment

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD Electrical

EPLAN

ETAP

Job description

Critical Energy is seeking a hands-on Electrical Engineer to design and size MV and LV electrical systems for ORC geothermal power. You will work with grid interconnection engineers, thermodynamics, and hardware design teams to select equipment, run ETAP analyses, and develop complete drawings for commissioning.

The role requires 3–5+ years of relevant experience, strong knowledge of MV systems, and familiarity with NEC/IEEE standards.