Senior Project Engineer - Electrical

Description

The Senior Project Engineer - Electrical will lead the design, development, and construction of electrical infrastructure and transmission interconnections for Fervo ’s portfolio of geothermal energy developments. This role will involve overseeing electrical system integration, including substations, high-voltage transmission lines, and distribution networks, while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and industry best practices. The Senior Project Engineer will be responsible for project initiation, scoping, budget estimation, execution planning, scheduling, and construction oversight. The position will be based at Fervo Energy’s headquarters in Houston, Texas, with periodic travel to field locations required, and will report to the Senior Director of Surface Facilities

Requirements

Responsibilities

• Lead the engineering design and construction of high-voltage substations, transmission interconnections, and electrical distribution systems to support geothermal energy facilities
• Oversee the design, specification, and construction management of power generation facilities, including Organic Rankine Cycle geothermal plants, transmission lines, gathering systems, and associated infrastructure
• Develop and refine budgetary estimates and project schedules for new and ongoing electrical projects, including interconnection buildouts with local utilities
• Serve as the primary technical lead in negotiations with major electrical equipment suppliers, ensuring optimized designs for substations, transformers, switchgear, and other key components
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including mechanical, civil, and process engineers, to ensure seamless project execution
• Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives in electrical system performance and reliability
• Provide technical support to operations teams for troubleshooting and optimizing day-to-day facility performance, particularly in electrical systems and interconnections
• Lead the development and modification of electrical operating and maintenance procedures to improve safety, performance, and regulatory compliance
• Participate in risk assessments, Process Hazard Analyses (PHA), and root cause analyses for incidents related to electrical infrastructure
• Lead the Management of Change (MOC) process for electrical-related projects, ensuring proper documentation, safety reviews, and updates to facility drawings and records
• Act as a key interface with regulatory bodies and ensure compliance with electrical safety standards, including IEEE, NFPA, and local utility regulations
• Support commissioning and start-up of new or modified electrical systems, including substations and high-voltage interconnections
• Evaluate emerging technologies in electrical transmission and distribution and assess their applicability to geothermal projects
  
  

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a closely related field
• 7 years of experience in facilities engineering, with a focus on substations, high-voltage transmission lines, and distribution systems
• Strong experience with utility interconnection processes and procedures, including grid compliance requirements and standards
• In-depth knowledge of electrical infrastructure design, including substations (HV/MV), transmission systems, transformers, switchgear, and protective relays
• Familiarity with key industry codes and standards (e.g., IEEE, NESC, NFPA, ASME) and demonstrated experience applying them in large-scale energy infrastructure projects
• Proven track record of leading cross-discipline teams on complex infrastructure projects and delivering on schedule and within budget
• Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., Primavera, MS Project) and electrical design software (e.g., ETAP, SKM Power Tools)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present technical information to diverse audiences
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in geothermal power generation or renewable energy projects.
• Advanced expertise in utility-scale substation design and high-voltage transmission.
• Familiarity with API, ISA, and other technical standards relevant to facility operations and maintenance.
• Process improvement certification or experience (e.g., Lean Six Sigma, Agile methodologies).
• 5 years of experience managing engineering contractors for transmission and distribution projects.
• Demonstrated ability to assess and specify high-voltage equipment, materials, and protection schemes, and to evaluate alternatives for cost and performance optimization
  
  

Location

Fervo Energy is headquartered in Houston, TX. This position will be eligible for some hybrid work flexibility, but regular in-office presence at the Houston office will be required. Some travel is required for this position.