Principal Electrical Engineer; Transmission and Distribution Planning

Principal Electrical Engineer – Transmission and Distribution Planning

This position is responsible for long‑term electric system planning, load forecasting, standards development, and analysis of transmission and distribution capacity and reliability needs. Incumbents serve as the City’s technical expert for distribution and sub‑transmission planning, distributed energy resource (DER) integration, reliability analysis, and capital investment strategy. Work is performed with significant independence and requires expert‑level engineering judgment that directly affects the reliability, resiliency, and safety of the City’s electric system.

• Lead the development of comprehensive long‑term T&D system plans, including 2‑year, 5‑year, and 10‑year planning horizons to align infrastructure development with technical standards and the City’s long‑range energy strategy.
• Using engineering analysis tools, oversee complex power system analyses including load flow, contingency analysis, voltage and thermal assessments, hosting capacity studies, and protection coordination reviews.
• Perform load forecasting at the system, transmission, substation, feeder, and transformer levels incorporating customer usage trends, DER penetration, economic growth, and distributed load patterns.
• Evaluate system capacity constraints and recommend capital improvements, including project justifications, scope, timelines, and cost estimation.
• Oversee DER interconnection studies for solar PV, energy storage systems, EV fast chargers, customer loads, and emerging technologies to ensure compliance with applicable interconnection requirements and best utility practices.
• Prepare and present technical reports, planning studies, maps, and recommendations to management, Utilities Advisory Commission (UAC), and City Council as needed.
• Mentor engineers, analysts, and technical staff; provide training on planning methodologies, modeling techniques, and engineering best practices.

• Grid modernization – upgrade of distribution lines, substations, and sub‑transmission to support building and transportation electrification and improve system reliability.
• Substation upgrades – reconstruct four existing substations with advanced technology to improve system reliability and increase system capacity.
• Business transformation – support the implementation of engineering analysis tools, utilizing SCADA and AMI data to guide engineering design and streamline operational workflows.
• New customer connections – develop and implement design standards for new or expanded residential and commercial customer services.
• Distribution automation – design and install new automation devices to manage the electric distribution grid and enhance system reliability.
• Sub‑transmission line – long‑range planning and load flow analysis of the City’s 60kV sub‑transmission system to support forecasted loads and improve overall reliability.

• 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.

• Master’s degree in electrical engineering, power systems, or related field.
• 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.

• Professional Engineer registration in the State of California (electric preferred).
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification (preferred but not required).

Annual salaries: $198,682 – $264,909 DOE/DOQ. Effective July 11, 2026, a 3% cost‑of‑living adjustment increases the range to $204,651 – $272,876.

• 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…