Principal Electrical Engineer (Substations)

City of Palo Alto•Palo Alto, CA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

This position functions as the City’s technical expert for substation engineering, protection schemes, and control systems. Incumbents independently perform the most complex engineering work, provide technical guidance to other engineering staff, and lead major capital improvement projects. Work requires a high level of judgment, technical competence, and responsibility for decisions affecting the safety and reliable operation of the City’s electric system. Major initiatives for the City’s Electric Division are to expand system capacity to meet near-term building and transportation electrification loads. With facilities aging as far back as the 1950’s, there is a significant number of capital improvement projects that need designed and constructed over the next five years.

Requirements

Licensed Electrical Professional Engineer (PE) in the State of California
Significant experience in substations and protection systems
Ability to lead electric utility capital improvement programs
Ability to mentor engineering staff
Strong expertise in power systems, utility infrastructure design, construction management, budgeting, and long-range system planning
Communicate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders
Collaborate across departments and agencies
Apply sound engineering judgment to support reliable, safe, and resilient utility operations
BSEE and six years of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job
Registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of California (Electric preferred)

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in electrical engineering, Power Systems, or related field is desirable.
Progressively responsible professional electric utility engineering experience, including substantial experience with substation design, protection, and capital project delivery.
Progressively responsible engineering experience in electric utility T&D planning, system modeling, or system engineering.
Experience in a municipal utility or public sector environment is desirable.
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification (preferred but not required)

Responsibilities

Lead the design, engineering, and analysis of new and existing substation facilities, major system upgrades, and equipment replacement projects within the City’s Electric CIP program.
Serve as the subject matter expert on substation equipment including transformers, breakers, switchgear, protective relays, SCADA systems, grounding, and control systems.
Conduct complex power system studies, including short circuit, arc flash, relay coordination, and grounding studies.
Provide technical oversight during construction, commissioning, testing, and energization of substation facilities.
Develop long term substation asset strategies, reliability improvement programs, and lifecycle management plans.
Ensure compliance with applicable codes, standards, and regulations including NESC, IEEE, NFPA, OSHA, and City policies.
Prepare and present staff reports, technical memoranda, Council communications, and recommendations.
Provide mentorship, technical leadership, and training to engineering and technical staff.

Benefits

Retirement: CalPERS 2% @ 60 formula for Classic employees; 2% @ 62 formula for New Members
Medical Plan: Plan options available.
Dental and Vision Plans: Fully paid.
Life and AD&D Insurance: Fully paid up to annual salary.
Flexible Spending Accounts: Daycare and Health Care.
Deferred Compensation Plan: 457 Plan available.
Leave: Includes Vacation, Holidays, Management, Sick, and Paid Parental.
Annual Day of Recognition: Floating holiday which can be used for individual days of cultural significance.
Flexible Work Schedule: 9/80 work schedule available.
Commuter Benefits
Gold Standard EAP Program
Childcare & Educational Benefits: Up to $10,000 for childcare at eligible facilities in Palo Alto.
Employees may also apply for their children to attend Palo Alto Unified Schools.