1

Electric Distribution Engineer Jobs in California

Leidos is seeking Distribution Engineers in Maui, HI and Oahu, HI who are passionate about electric utility design engineering. We're looking for someone dedicated to ensuring that every project, no ...

Distribution Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$59K - $106K/yr

Leidos is seeking Distribution Engineers in Maui, HI and Oahu, HI who are passionate about electric utility design engineering. We're looking for someone dedicated to ensuring that every project, no ...

Distribution Engineer

Chula Vista, CA · On-site

$59K - $106K/yr

Leidos is seeking Distribution Engineers in Maui, HI and Oahu, HI who are passionate about electric utility design engineering. We're looking for someone dedicated to ensuring that every project, no ...

Leidos is seeking Distribution Engineers in Maui, HI and Oahu, HI who are passionate about electric utility design engineering. We're looking for someone dedicated to ensuring that every project, no ...

Distribution Engineer

La Jolla, CA · On-site

$59K - $106K/yr

Leidos is seeking Distribution Engineers in Maui, HI and Oahu, HI who are passionate about electric utility design engineering. We're looking for someone dedicated to ensuring that every project, no ...

As engineers, architects, construction/program managers, environmental professionals and beyond ... This position supports electric distribution design efforts across a range of project types and ...

Distribution Engineer

El Cajon, CA · On-site

$59K - $106K/yr

Leidos is seeking Distribution Engineers in Maui, HI and Oahu, HI who are passionate about electric utility design engineering. We're looking for someone dedicated to ensuring that every project, no ...

Leidos is seeking Distribution Engineers in Maui, HI and Oahu, HI who are passionate about electric utility design engineering. We're looking for someone dedicated to ensuring that every project, no ...

Distribution Engineer

National City, CA · On-site

$59K - $106K/yr

Leidos is seeking Distribution Engineers in Maui, HI and Oahu, HI who are passionate about electric utility design engineering. We're looking for someone dedicated to ensuring that every project, no ...

Distribution Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$59K - $106K/yr

Leidos is seeking Distribution Engineers in Maui, HI and Oahu, HI who are passionate about electric utility design engineering. We're looking for someone dedicated to ensuring that every project, no ...

Leidos is seeking Distribution Engineers in Maui, HI and Oahu, HI who are passionate about electric utility design engineering. We're looking for someone dedicated to ensuring that every project, no ...

Leidos is seeking Distribution Engineers in Maui, HI and Oahu, HI who are passionate about electric utility design engineering. We're looking for someone dedicated to ensuring that every project, no ...

NV5 is a provider of engineering and consulting services to public and private sector clients ... This position supports electric distribution design efforts across a range of project types and ...

Leidos is seeking Distribution Engineers in Maui, HI and Oahu, HI who are passionate about electric utility design engineering. We're looking for someone dedicated to ensuring that every project, no ...

As engineers, architects, construction/program managers, environmental professionals and beyond ... This position supports electric distribution design efforts across a range of project types and ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Electric Distribution Engineer information

See California salary details

$16

$43

$69

How much do electric distribution engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for electric distribution engineer in California is $43.45, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $34.42 and $51.25 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an electric distribution engineer do?

An Electric Distribution Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining electrical distribution systems that deliver electricity from substations to consumers. They ensure the reliability and efficiency of the power grid, plan system upgrades, and address issues such as outages or capacity constraints. Their work often includes using specialized software for system modeling, collaborating with field crews, and complying with industry safety and regulatory standards. Electric Distribution Engineers play a vital role in meeting the energy needs of communities and supporting the integration of renewable energy sources.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an electric distribution engineer?

To thrive as an Electric Distribution Engineer, you need a solid understanding of electrical engineering principles, power systems, and a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard software such as GIS, AutoCAD, and distribution analysis tools, as well as knowledge of relevant safety codes and certifications like a Professional Engineer (PE) license, is highly beneficial. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are vital soft skills for collaborating with teams and stakeholders. These skills ensure reliable power delivery, efficient system design, and adherence to safety and regulatory standards.

What are the main challenges faced by electric distribution engineers in maintaining reliable power supply?

Electric Distribution Engineers often encounter challenges such as aging infrastructure, adverse weather conditions, and integrating renewable energy sources into existing grids. They must quickly identify and resolve faults to minimize outages and ensure safety. Additionally, collaborating closely with field crews, planners, and utility customers is essential to implement upgrades and respond to emergencies efficiently. Staying current with evolving industry standards and technology is also vital for ongoing success in this role.

What is the difference between Electric Distribution Engineer vs Electric Power Engineer?

AspectElectric Distribution EngineerElectric Power Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Electrical Engineering, PE license often preferredBachelor's in Electrical Engineering, PE license often preferred
Work EnvironmentDesigning and maintaining distribution systems, field inspectionsDesigning and analyzing power generation and transmission systems
Industry UsageUtility companies, power distribution firmsGeneration plants, utility companies, consulting firms

Electric Distribution Engineers focus on designing, maintaining, and improving electrical distribution systems that deliver power to consumers. Electric Power Engineers work on larger-scale power generation and transmission systems. While both roles require similar credentials and often work within utility industries, their primary responsibilities differ in scope and focus.

Infographic showing various Electric Distribution Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 78% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $90,375 per year, or $43.4 per hour.

Electric Distribution Engineer

Pacific Gas and Electric Company

Fresno, CA • Hybrid

$120K - $183K/yr

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago


Pacific Gas and Electric Company rating

9.0

Company rating: 9.0 out of 10

Based on 47 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

5th of 53 rated energy and utility


Job description

Requisition ID # 174139 

Job Category: Engineering / Science 

Job Level: Individual Contributor

Business Unit: Strategy & Growth

Work Type: Hybrid

Job Location: Fresno

Department Overview

The hardworking coworkers of Electric Engineering ensure all manners of electric engineering-including electric standards and process safety, electric design engineering, instrumentation testing and controls, undergrounding, electric regulatory compliance and electric investment planning-are in place to safely enable a strategic and stable workplan for our Electric Operations partners. Our organization is accountable for program planning, financial budgeting, and project execution and delivery of all electric engineering projects. Electric Engineering is comprised of approximately 2,000 coworkers.

Position Summary

This job is represented by Engineers and Scientists of California (ESC) subject to collective bargaining.

This position is hybrid, working from your remote office and your assigned work location 3 days per week (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays). The assigned work location will be within the PG&E Service Territory.

PG&E is providing the salary range that the company in good faith believes it might pay for this position at the time of the job posting. This compensation range is specific to the locality of the job.  The actual salary paid to an individual will be based on multiple factors, including, but not limited to, specific skills, education, licenses or certifications, experience, market value, geographic location, collective bargaining agreements, and internal equity.

The annual salary range is:

The annual salary range is:

CA Minimum, $120,888

CA Maximum, $183,840

Responsibilities

  • Submits long term and short-term reconstruction, capacity and reliability plan recommendations; manages projects within their local area of $100,000 or less; and reviews and recommends job estimates within DPA for capacity and reliability.
  • Monitors area substation and circuit capabilities and track corresponding loads. Prepares proposals, including justification, for appropriate corrective actions to address deficiencies found.
  • Performs planning studies to correctly model the electric distribution system and works with Mapping to ensure discrepancies are corrected in associated records system. Analyzes historical loads and project future growth. Prepares long term and short-term plans to identify and correct area deficiencies. Prepares long term and short-term plans to identify and correct area deficiencies. Prepares draft Preliminary Planning Reviews (PPR's). Identifies alternatives to address deficiencies for Project Analysis (PA's). Reviews and analyzes area distribution systems and takes appropriate actions to maintain power factor and primary voltage within established standards. Determines circuit and associated equipment capabilities within the assigned DPA.
  • Prepares and initiate switching plans to alleviate normal and minimize emergency deficiencies.  Prepares necessary documentation about distribution needs for estimating to complete job packages. Prepares settings for load tap changers and other line equipment. Reviews requests for new large customer load additions or increases in voltage and recommend actions to correct any deficiencies. Provides direction and reviews primary designs proposed by estimating to ensure adequate capacity and reliability.  Prepares settings for distribution protective devices. Performs circuit protection reviews and makes recommendations for corrections. Determines protection requirements for rule 20, WRO projects and other major distribution projects which could impact the existing protective scheme. Prepares settings for Distribution Automation (DA) devices affecting distribution protection, voltage or emergency switching.
  • Initiates service dependability solutions and actively participates in local reliability / root cause meetings. Works closely with construction to prioritize outage prevention work within DPA, addresses customer complaints (Help Tickets) for recurring outages as assigned. Prepares initial responses for CPUC complaints for recurring outages. Supports local DO's, DEC, construction, or storm room in emergency restoration efforts as required. Provide technical, address' customer voltage complaints caused by primary voltage problems. When requested, address' customer EMF requests involving distribution facilities as assigned, assist E&M and OM&C personnel to address customer voltage complaints caused by secondary voltage problems. Supports estimating, construction, and other departments as required. Reviews, modifies, and recommends switching clearances for feeders, banks and stations as requested by DO's. Address' customer EMF requests involving distribution facilities as assigned. Reviews switching arrangements, equipment settings, voltage levels, power factor needs, etc. to ensure the distribution system is operated in the most efficient manner.
  • Prepare EASOP (economic analysis) for projects in DPA. Prepare other engineering analysis as assigned. Provide supervisor on-call support as required; maintain equipment records as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum:

  • Holds a degree in Bachelor of Science Electrical Engineering from a college/university accredited by Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET)

Desired:

  • Studied power systems
  • 3 years of experience in engineering
  • Professional engineering registration
  • Basic Microsoft Office skills
  • CYME experience
  • Python Scripting experience

What Pacific Gas and Electric Company employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom