UTILITIES ENGINEER

State of California; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 78,000 - 146,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of California, San Francisco, is advertising a Utilities Engineer position under the Safety and Enforcement Division. The role includes oversight of electric and communication facilities with emphasis on generation facilities, aligned with CPUC orders.

Travel is required, and the role is hybrid with telework options for CA residents. Minimum requirements point to a Utilities Engineer, with additional desirable qualifications in electric grid knowledge, field inspections, and experience

Qualifications

• Experience with electric generation, distribution, and transmission and related safety issues.
• Knowledge of emerging technologies such as renewable energy, energy storage and microgrids.
• Understanding of the California electric grid and its generation, transmission and distribution.
• Experience conducting in-field inspections and investigations of facilities.
• Experience testifying in Commission proceedings.
• Technical engineering experience in utility safety and reliability.

Responsibilities

• Oversee electric and communication facilities with emphasis on generation facilities per CPUC orders.
• Support compliance with general orders and safety and reliability standards.

Skills

Electric generation

Distribution & transmission

Renewable energy

Energy storage

Microgrids

Field inspections

Testifying

CA grid knowledge

Job description

$6,488.00 - $12,152.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 10/14/2026

Individuals interested in applying for this vacancy must have eligibility.

Virtual interviews via web portals or phone may be offered as deemed appropriate and feasible by the hiring manager – standard in-person interviews will still be offered if conditions permit.
Under the supervision of a Senior Utilities Engineer (Supervisor), the Utilities Engineer performs duties related to the Commission’s oversight of electric and communication facilities with an emphasis on generation facilities. This oversight includes, but is not limited to, the requirements in Commission General Orders 95, 128, 165, 166, 167 (Specifically the provisions in 167-B) and 174.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

This position requires travel.

This advertisement is listed specifically for San Franciscolocation.All identified locations will be considered as one candidate pool to fill one position.

Sacramento location.

This is a hybrid position that will require the selected candidate to report to their assigned headquarter office a minimum of two (2) days a week. Hybrid positions may be eligible for telework under California Government Code Section 14200 for eligible applicants residing in California. In accordance with CPUC Telework Policy, telework arrangements are subject to change and may be reevaluated at any time.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• UTILITIES ENGINEER

Effective July 1, 2025, CalHR launched the Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025 with Pay Differential 386. PLP 2025 temporarily reduces state employee pay in exchange for leave hours to help address budget shortfalls. Salary ranges in this posting exclude the temporary reduction. For details, visit

# of Positions: 1

Work Location: Telework: Hybrid

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

Safety and Enforcement Division (SED)/ESRB / Generation Energy Storage Section -North

• The position(s) require(s) a valid California Drivers License (CDL). You must answer the questions addressing your CDL on your application. Ensure you provide your CDL number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions.

Desirable Qualifications

• Knowledge or experience in electric generation, distribution, transmission, and communication systems and their maintenance, operations, and related safety and reliability issues.
• Knowledge of emerging technologies related to electric generation, transmission, and distribution systems, such as renewable energy, distributed energy resources, energy storage, and microgrids.
• Understanding of the California electric grid, including generation, transmission, substation, and distribution systems.
• Experience performing in-the-field inspections and investigations of electric generation, distribution, and transmission facilities, communication facilities, and incidents involving such facilities.
• Experience testifying in Commission proceedings.
• Technical engineering experience and knowledge in the field of utility safety and reliability, specifically in the area of electric generation, facility, and communication technology.

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.

Department Website: http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled.You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s)to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator
[phone]
[e-mail]

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice)TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.