Principle Electrical Engineer

Amentum•China Lake, CA

1d•$152,264 - $215,838•Onsite

About The Position

Amentum is seeking a design-focused Principle Electrical Engineer for its engineering team in China Lake, California. The role spans the product lifecycle, from early concept development through electrical hardware design, fabrication, installation, testing, and on-site operation. The engineer will work with low-voltage electronics, wiring systems, sensor integration, and harness design, collaborating with engineering, operations, vendors, contractors, and external agencies. The team supports U.S. Navy research and development facilities associated with submarine weapon system development programs. The position combines office-based design and analysis with periodic field work during installation, testing, and commissioning. Travel is expected to be approximately 33% of working time and is typically planned well in advance. The role requires the ability to work in industrial and outdoor environments. The posting's job description also describes designing and maintaining low-, medium-, and high-voltage electrical systems; analyzing system performance and electrical loads; leading electrical infrastructure projects; supporting electrical safety and code compliance; overseeing system documentation and protective relay settings; planning for utility outages; supervising consultants and contractors; and supporting energy efficiency and sustainability efforts. Compensation is listed as $152,264.00–$215,838.00. A U.S. government security clearance must be obtainable and maintainable; U.S. citizenship is required to obtain one.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Systems Engineering, or a similar field from an ABET-accredited institution.
At least 13 years of electrical engineering experience encompassing circuit and system design, analysis, and project lifecycle management.
Proficiency with CAD/EDA tools for electrical schematic and wiring diagram development, such as AutoCAD Electrical, SOLIDWORKS Electrical, or Zuken, or similar tools.
Demonstrated experience with low-voltage systems, sensor integration, and wiring harness design.
Ability to read and produce electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, harness drawings, and technical specifications.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical content to diverse audiences and produce professional engineering documentation.
Ability to work in field environments, including industrial and outdoor settings, as required.
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required to obtain clearance.

Nice To Haves

Experience with ruggedized or defense-grade electrical systems, MIL-DTL-38999 or MIL-DTL-26482 connectors, or similar connectors, and IPC/WHMA-A-620 harness workmanship standards.
Background in aerospace, defense, shipboard, or energy sector programs.
Experience leading PDR/CDR design reviews and managing electrical hardware through formal change control processes.
Professional Engineer (PE) license or Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification.
Knowledge of safety and design standards such as NFPA 70E, MIL-STD-461 (EMC), or MIL-HDBK-522.
Experience mentoring or guiding junior engineers or technicians.

Responsibilities

Design and maintain complex low-, medium-, and high-voltage electrical systems, including distribution networks and central plant operations.
Analyze system performance and electrical load characteristics to support reliability, safety, and compliance with applicable codes.
Lead engineering design, development, and oversight of electrical infrastructure projects, including substations, automation systems, and energy storage.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams, contractors, external agencies, vendors, and operations teams to deliver electrical projects and hardware.
Evaluate electrical safety protocols, champion code compliance, and serve as a technical subject matter expert for operations and maintenance teams.
Oversee development of single-line diagrams, technical specifications, and protective relay settings for new and existing electrical systems.
Participate in utility outage response planning and perform root-cause analysis after electrical service disruptions.
Supervise consultant and contractor performance through electrical project phases, ensuring engineering accuracy, schedule adherence, and cost control.
Review and approve project documentation, including design standards and testing protocols.
Develop energy efficiency strategies and support environmental sustainability efforts through system upgrades and power modeling tools.
Participate in design reviews and provide technical support during field installation, testing, and commissioning.
Maintain expert knowledge of NEC, NESC, Title 24, and relevant IEEE and OSHA standards.