Senior Distribution System Engineer

SMUD•Rancho Cordova, CA

6d•$156,000 - $206,606•Hybrid

About The Position

This posting intends to fill one (1) regular full-time position and establish and eligibility list which may be used to fill regular, full-time, or limited-term positions, over the next two (2) years. Are you passionate about powering our community with safe, reliable, and efficient energy? SMUD is seeking an experienced professional to join our team as a regular, full-time Senior Distribution System Engineer within Distribution Planning to support the advanced analysis and planning of our electric distribution system. In this pivotal role, you’ll help ensure SMUD’s infrastructure adapts to meet both present and future power needs, while innovating and leading projects that drive operational excellence and support SMUD’s commitment to safety, cost-effectiveness, and regulatory compliance. You’ll serve as a technical expert and resource, collaborating across departments and mentoring others as we work towards a sustainable, zero-carbon future for Sacramento.

Requirements

A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Electrical Engineering or related field.
Five or more (5+) years of progressively responsible experience in the planning, design, and operation of electric utility distribution systems.
Valid California Drivers License.

Nice To Haves

Registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) license with the State of California.
Significant experience in electric utility distribution system planning, operations, or engineering, including hands-on experience with system modeling, performance analysis, and forecasting load growth.
Advanced knowledge of distribution system protection, reliability analysis, and integration of distributed energy resources.
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with a track record of effective project management and cross-departmental collaboration.
Expertise in using complex computer-aided modeling and analysis tools to assess and optimize electric distribution systems.
Strong skills in evaluating new technologies and recommending cost-effective solutions aligned with organizational objectives.
Demonstrated ability to develop work plans for capital and O&M projects, evaluate technical proposals, and conduct work justification studies.
Experience in leading, training, and mentoring multidisciplinary teams, with the ability to assess training needs and develop staff competencies.
Proven ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to a broad audience, both in writing and verbally.
Commitment to safety, quality, and compliance with regulations and industry standards.

Responsibilities

Ensures a safe, reliable, and economical power service to customers and to meet SMUD’s power needs; leads and performs complex distribution system planning and design including to monitor system planning and design; develops and maintains SMUD’s distribution system maintenance philosophy; develops, maintains, and revises safety practices related to planning and operations.
Ensures that SMUD’s distribution system is configured and operated to provide the maximum output and the maximum operating flexibility within contractual, emissions, and other limits; conducts analyses of system performance and projected systems demands by forecasting electrical load growth, modeling and analyzing system impacts, identifying system deficiencies, recommending cost-effective corrective actions, performing work justification studies, producing annual work plans for capital and O&M expenditures, evaluating new technologies, and reviewing safety trends to identify areas for improvement
Ensures that projects and programs meet SMUD and other standards for cost-effectiveness, safety, and quality of power produced; provides high-level expertise and guidance by providing technical review of community projects and programs with potential SMUD-wide impact, reviewing co-generation proposals to evaluate system impacts, drafting interconnection agreements including required mitigation, evaluating the impact of distributed technologies including energy efficiency and dispersed generation, performing technical and economical analysis of distribution automation alternatives, identifying and recommending automation investments, and performing detailed analysis of power quality data and recommending and planning solutions to power quality related problems.
Ensures the safe and reliable operation of the assigned distribution system and the achievement of SMUD’s business objectives; performs and leads the performance of activities related to system protection by identifying and resolving difficult distribution system protection issues that impact distribution system performance and safety. analyzing system protection, operation, and electrical system configuration, preparing operating criteria that include system protection, reliability, safety, and economics, developing distribution system protection standards, guidelines and practices, evaluating the need for and conducting definitive distribution system protection studies, maintaining protection databases and documentation, developing and maintaining the distribution system inspection and maintenance programs, and performing root cause analysis to determine and correct the cause of system failures.
Ensures that staff are trained and capable of meeting SMUD’s performance expectations; assists in developing the required employee competencies by assessing employee skills and training needs, evaluating, selecting, and modifying training programs, developing and presenting technical training, arranging for and coordinating training conducted by others, facilitating the exchange of expertise and knowledge within the work group and with other work groups, and providing coaching and mentoring as needed.
Assists in planning, reviewing, and conducting work activities and researching required project information associated with department internal/external projects in accordance with established task objectives and schedule as outlined in the project plan/contract; supports the overall achievement and completion of department projects.
Performs related duties as required.