Distribution Planning Engineer Jobs in California

Minimum Pay Rate: $156,000.00
Maximum Pay Rate: $206,606.40
Civil Service Status: Civil Service
Apply by Date: 08/23/2026
This position is being posted at both the Journey and Senior level; however, only one hire will be made from these two postings. Candidates interested in both levels must apply separately to each posting.
This posting will be used to create an eligibility list of qualified candidates to fill current and future limited term and full time Senior Transmission Planning Engineer vacancies. To be considered, please ensure your resume clearly demonstrates that you meet the knowledge, skills, and experience outlined in the minimum qualifications of this posting.
In support of our reliable planning and clean energy goals, SMUD is seeking a highly engaged and experienced Senior Transmission Planning Engineer for supporting the transmission planning and generation interconnection studies. Under the direction of the Manager of Transmission Planning, this position has the responsibility for reliable planning for the current and future needs of the Bulk Electric System (BES) of SMUD and Balancing Authority of Northern California (BANC). This position provides technical expertise and leadership in transmission planning and generation interconnection studies, compliance support with FERC/NERC/WECC Reliability Standards and Criteria, as well as mentoring and oversight for lower level engineers, to support the reliable and cost-effective planning of the BES generation and transmission assets for SMUD and BANC.
Purpose
To perform specialized professional technical and analytical functions in a variety of planning areas, including generation, transmission and contractual resources, including transmission planning studies and related engineering analyses and activities. Provide project management and SMUD representation to other utilities and external agencies to ensure SMUD's power requirements are met, and power resource assets are managed to maximize benefits to SMUD within legal and established SMUD policy constraints, and to ensure the reliable operation of the transmission/generation system for SMUD and the SMUD Control Area.
Nature and Scope
Serves as a team lead and/or advanced journey level resource providing expertise in one or more areas of a professional discipline and assumes responsibility for resolving complex problems and overseeing complex projects. May also guide, instruct, and coordinate the work of others on assigned projects.
Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides technical support to co-workers, other departments and SMUD management by conducting studies and technical and economic evaluations, preparing written summaries, reports and recommendations for planning studies and SMUD projects, and responding to verbally or in writing to routine and time-critical inquiries from SMUD's Board, regulatory bodies, other utilities, public agencies and other SMUD departments on transmission projects.
• Collects, verifies, organizes and maintains SMUD's data, in electronic format, on transmission lines and major electrical equipment to enable the transmission planning group and other SMUD departments to perform timely, accurate short circuit, load flow and stability studies by organizing the work group to enter, audit and maintain accurate data, using computer expertise to facilitate selection, application and maintenance of appropriate software programs, and coordinating data capture, entry and retrieval/exchange of information.
• Plans, coordinates, prioritizes, monitors, guides, reviews, and conducts work activities associated with department internal/external projects in accordance with established task objectives and schedule as outlined in the project plan/contract.
• Conducts technical review of assessments, calculations, reports and recommendations prepared by less-experienced staff members and outside contractors/consultants and provides direction, guidance, suggestions and/or hands-on training to support improvements and quality standards.
• Provides technical support and guidance/consultation to Energy Trading and Contracts, Resource Planning, Power Generation Project Development, Grid Asset and Distribution Planning and Operation, etc. by evaluating projects and proposals, preparing reports, making recommendations on transmission system losses, system reliability, voltage profiles, and other related issues.
• Represents SMUD's positions, priorities and interests on multi-utility projects and to WECC subcommittees and regulatory bodies by leading SMUD and multi-utility work groups, leading or participating in review committees, and presenting or participating in project reviews by regulatory bodies and other agencies.
• Reviews and directs the work done by contract consultants on selected projects.
• Contributes to the development of technical expertise in transmission planning by preparing and/or arranging professional quality technical seminars and presentations to train less-experienced engineers in their areas of responsibility; develops new models and modeling capability for transmission planning; and develops advanced evaluation techniques and criteria to address and apply to new and unique issues in transmission planning.
• Plans, coordinates, prioritizes, monitors, and guides work activities with work-unit employees to meet established task objectives and deadlines by following established policies and precedents, communicating with team members and incorporating their input to processes and techniques, providing staff training, promoting staff safety and a safe work environment, assisting in selecting and orienting new personnel, assisting in evaluating work performance results, participating as a team member in accomplishing objectives, and referring problems to supervision where solutions are not readily achievable.
• Provides strategic direction to SMUD management through participation and analysis of ISO / RTO / CEC / CPUC / EOB / CVP, etc., related policy directives and issues, and attendance of various stakeholder forums.
• Provides support directly to operations and outage coordination through power system analysis and development of new programs that aid power system operators in meeting control area and reliability standards.
• Performs other related duties as needed to include working outside of typical business hours when necessary.

Required Education

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field from an accredited college or university.

Required Experience Qualifications

• At least five (5+) years of progressively responsible relevant work experience in electrical engineering for the power industry with at least three (3+) of those years involved in transmission system planning or transmission operation with project leadership, management, and outside agency interface and inter-utility project involvement.

Knowledge Of
Western United States transmission and generation system adequacy and development and inter-utility relationships; power system planning techniques at a mastery level including load flow, stability, and fault and economic analysis in order to perform system studies; methods and techniques for planning, organizing and overseeing work activities; practices for delegating, assigning and reviewing work assignments; safety policies, practices and procedures; standard operating procedures for modern office equipment including a computer and applicable software; English grammar, punctuation and vocabulary standards.
Skills To
Perform system evaluations including transmission power flows, stability, fault and other engineering studies; review, evaluate and comment on planning reports prepared by inter-utility work groups, WECC committees, regulatory bodies, and consultants; understand and handle the technical, political and corporate issues that are subject to change; interact with others to influence and motivate; compile and prepare technical, statistical and/or analytical reports and presentations; develop and conduct oral presentations to internal/external audiences; work effectively with other utilities and outside agencies to develop joint engineering projects; interpret, assess and apply pertinent policies, procedures, regulations and requirements; identify significant organizational issues, concerns and needs and develop strategies for rectifying them; interpret, assess and apply pertinent policies, procedures, regulations and requirements; negotiate with external representatives on behalf of SMUD; communicate effectively orally and in writing internally/externally; establish and maintain effective working relationships internally/externally; utilize a personal computer and/or computer terminal, systems and software relevant to the job
Desirable Qualifications

• Professional Registration in Electrical Engineering in the State of California,
• Knowledge of SMUD policies, procedures, applicable MOUs and other special agreements.

Physical Requirements
Applicants must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.
Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) - Who We Are
As the nation's sixth-largest community-owned electric service provider, we're proud of our reputation as one of the best places to work in Sacramento. Our employees tell us in our engagement surveys they're "Happy, satisfied and engaged" which helps create a workplace that best serves our customers. Sacramento was named as the 2nd happiest place to work in America by Forbes Magazine. Lake Tahoe, San Francisco and the world-renowned Napa Valley are within easy driving distance of our locations.
Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
SMUD celebrates diversity, and inspires an inclusive culture based on trust and respect to create belonging and connection among our employees, customers, and communities. By working together, we are powering positive, equitable opportunities for all. We aspire to be a workplace where you can be yourself, achieve your best, and thrive together.
An example of our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging is when SMUD signed the California Equal Pay Pledge in 2020. This requires equal pay for employees who perform "substantially similar work," when viewed as a composite of skill, effort, and responsibility at the time those employees started within that classification. As such, initial hiring salary range is not subject to negotiation and salaries will vary over time based on performance.
SMUD is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, veteran status, or any other applicable legally protected characteristic. All employment decisions are made on the basis of individual qualifications, merit, and business needs and interests.
Why Sacramento, California?
The capitol of California, Sacramento is the state's sixth-largest city, and the 35th largest in the U.S. Local universities include California State University, University of the Pacific's McGeorge School of Law, and the University of California, Davis and several competitive community colleges. The UC Davis Medical Center, a world-renowned research hospital, is one of more than a dozen hospitals and shared services centers in the Sacramento region. Part of the agriculturally-rich Central Valley, Sacramento is at the forefront of the farm-to-fork food movement. Northern California is home to some of the country's top technology companies, including Google and LinkedIn, and a multitude of startups in many industries. Sacramento is home to the NBA Kings, the River Cats (AAA baseball), the Republic FC (soccer) and the San Francisco Giants, NBA Warriors and NFL 49er's aren't far away. Sacramento offers an affluent liberal arts community with Broadway, Mondavi Center, Crocker Museum and summer musical theater to name a few.
Hybrid Work
This position may be eligible for SMUD's remote work employee benefit, the schedule of which will be determined by the successful candidate and the Hiring Manager. SMUD takes pride in powering the Sacramento region community where we live and work. We value the strong working relationships we develop with our colleagues. Our approach to remote work will continue to evolve. Please be aware that should SMUD's business needs change, emergencies occur, or various other reasons arise, you may be required to report onsite on a part-time or full-time basis.
CalPERS
SMUD is a CalPERS agency. As a member of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS), SMUD offers eligible employees access to a defined benefit pension plan along with other valuable retirement and health benefits. This program helps provide financial security both during your career and after retirement. To learn more about CalPERS and the benefits it offers, please visit www.calpers.ca.gov.
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