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Principal Electric Engineer

City of Palo Alto
City of Palo Alto Salary
Palo Alto, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 3/29/2025
AVAILABLE BEFORE 4/25/2025


The Utilities Department is hiring two positions within the Electric Engineering Division: 

 Principal Electric Engineer - Grid Modernization and Principal Electric Engineer - Systems Planning

To view complete job announcement click HERE.

DEPARTMENT

The City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU) is incredibly unique in offering a full array of services to its residents and businesses: electricity, water, wastewater, natural gas, and fiber optics. CPAU is an award-winning utility recognized nationally as innovative and a leader in reliability, safety, environmental sustainability, workforce development, and system improvement. Palo Alto has a tradition of over 125 years of successful public utility operations. It is a tradition that continues to provide customers with safe and reliable utility service, local decision-making over policies, utility ratemaking, environmental programs, and customized services. CPAU focuses on customer service, infrastructure reliability, regulatory compliance, and cost containment. It also supports the City’s sustainability goals by building a low-carbon energy supply through renewable energy, carbon emission offsets, and programs to help customers use energy and water more efficiently, reduce their carbon footprint, and integrate new technologies.


IDEAL CANDIDATE

The Principal Electric Engineer - Grid Modernization plays a pivotal role in advancing Palo Alto's electric grid to meet evolving requirements. This position focuses on implementing innovative solutions to modernize the grid, including the integration of Distributed Energy Resources (DER) to enhance reliability, optimize efficiency, and ensure the grid's resilience against aging infrastructure and extreme weather challenges. Success in this role demands a comprehensive knowledge of electric power systems, encompassing both transmission and distribution, as well as hands-on experience with smart grid technologies such as Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), Energy Management Systems (EMS), Outage Management Systems (OMS), Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), Microgrid Management Systems (MMS), Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems (DERMS), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), among others.

The Principal Electric Engineer - System Planning leads the development, analysis, and optimization of electric power systems to ensure reliability, efficiency, and compliance with industry standards. This role involves strategic planning, technical leadership, and collaboration with stakeholders to address current and future energy demands.

To view the full job description, click here.


SALARY RANGE and BENEFITS

Salary Range $182,270.40 - $243,027.20 annually supplemented by competitive benefits. To learn more click here.


SCHEDULE

This is an in-person position.

Monday through Thursday  7:30 am to 5:30 pm (Some flexibility)

Every other Friday  8:00 am to 5:00 pm and off alternating Fridays.


Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge and skills, which would typically be acquired through:
  • PE, 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 such as those listed above.  
Licensing Requirements:
  • Valid California Driver's License;
  • Registration as a Professional Electrical Engineer in the State of California.

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Applications will be reviewed promptly upon receipt and screenings and interviews will begin as soon as posting requirements are met and a sufficient applicant pool is found. Posting may be closed before posted date.

The City of Palo Alto is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO). In compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both perspective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Salary : $182,270 - $243,027

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