Power Generation Journey Mechanical Engineer

Overview

Open until filled - Candidates are encouraged to apply early as this posting may close at any time without notice on or after May 27, 2026.

SMUD delivers power to more than 1.5 million customers throughout the Sacramento area. As a community-owned, not-for-profit electric service, we’ve been providing low-cost, reliable electricity for over 75 years. Our hydroelectric system is a key part of that, transforming Sierra water resources into clean, renewable energy for our communities.

SMUD is seeking a mechanical engineer with power generation or heavy industrial experience to support maintenance projects at the nine hydroelectric powerhouses in the Upper American River Project. In this hands-on role, you will be working with the maintenance engineering group in Pollock Pines, CA to maintain and upgrade the mechanical equipment that keeps our hydropower system at peak reliability. The ideal candidate is a good communicator, comfortable managing projects in the field, and enjoys working alongside skilled craft workers on construction projects.

Located about an hour east of Sacramento, the Fresh Pond campus is home to our engineering offices, skilled craft shops, and warehouses that support the operation and maintenance of the Upper American River Project. This system includes nine powerhouses, eleven reservoirs, and eighteen dams spread across the west slope of the Sierra Nevada, between Placerville and the Desolation Wilderness. If you enjoy the outdoors, you’ll appreciate the many recreational opportunities nearby, along with the chance to work on projects within the Crystal Basin area.

Under general supervision, performs minor to moderately complex mechanical engineering core responsibilities, including problem resolution/project assignments, in the most efficient, safe and cost-effective manner, and that comply with regulatory requirements and restrictions.

There are four (4) levels in this job classification series that have similar job content but with progressively more challenging degrees and levels of skill, responsibility, knowledge, experience and qualification requirements:

Flex Classifications (that permit progression from lower-level classes to higher level classes without examination based upon assessment of an individual's experience and performance) within the series:

• Entry: Incumbent acquires knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the tasks associated within the series but are not yet demonstrating these at the Journey level.
• Journey: Incumbent is demonstrating the required skills and knowledge to independently perform the full scope of the job.

Non-Flex Classifications (that promote from lower-level classes to higher level classes and require an examination, such as an interview, based upon individual experience and performance) within the series:

• Senior: Advanced journey level resource who is responsible for advanced assignments, as dictated by the work needing to be performed; may act in a lead/supervisory capacity.
• Principal: Subject matter expert/lead/supervisory level and is responsible for leading the most advanced work, as dictated by the work needing to be performed.

Entry to Journey:
Incumbents at the entry level are required to successfully “progress” to the journey level within 60 months of appointment to remain within the job series.

Seniors and Principals must be hired through a promotional process and do not automatically progress from lower levels in the series.

• Perform engineering design for mechanical systems that support modifications aimed at improving the reliability and efficiency of power generation assets, while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and budgetary constraints.
• Prepare detailed project documentation, including design change notice (DCN) packages and as-built drawings from field data, managing the development and revision of drawings through the Generation Design document control system.
• May take the lead in preparing bid package specifications for the procurement of equipment and services; collaborate with supply chain services, evaluate bids, and…