Electric Distribution Engineer Jobs in California

Description This recruitment is being conducted by J. Powers Recruiting, Inc (JPR) You can view the recruitment brochure and submit your application directly on J. Powers Recruiting website.

The City Incorporated over 125 years ago with a staff of 1,110 full-time employees, an adopted budget of $1.03 Billion (2026), and is headed by City Manager Ed Shikada. The government of the City of Palo Alto exists to promote and sustain a superior quality of life in Palo Alto. In partnership with the community, their goal is to deliver cost-effective services in a personal, responsive, and innovative manner

Our values consist of: Quality: Superior delivery of services Courtesy: Providing service with respect and concern Efficiency: Productive, effective use of resources Integrity: Straight-forward, honest, and fair relations Innovation: Excellence in creative thought and implementation. The city operates five libraries, 4,000+ acres of parks, preserves, and open spaces, a junior museum and zoo, an art center, three large community centers, a Municipal Golf Course, and 471 miles of streets, reflecting its community-oriented ethos. The city is governed by a seven-member elected City Council and an appointed City Manager.

The Department The City of Palo Alto Utilities Department is a nationally recognized, full-service municipal utility serving approximately 67,000 residents and businesses. With 266 full-time employees and a $317 million operating budget, the department is organized into five core areas: Engineering, Operations, Resource Management, Customer Service, and Administration. Palo Alto is unique as one of a few cities in California that owns and operates a complete range of utilities, including electric, fiber optics, natural gas, water, and wastewater, delivering safe, reliable, and environmentally sustainable services to the community since 1896.

City of Palo Alto Utilities Within this structure, the Electric & Fiber Engineering and Operations Division plays a critical leadership role in planning, designing, building, and maintaining the City's electric distribution system and expanding the municipal fiber network. The division delivers major capital improvement programs, ensuring modern, reliable infrastructure while meeting regulatory requirements and industry best practices. Engineering teams lead system planning and infrastructure development, while Operations ensures 24/7 system reliability, maintenance, and emergency response to safely serve the community.

Utilities Services & Safety The division supports a workforce of approximately 130 operations staff and is at the forefront of innovation, maintaining a 100% carbon-neutral electric portfolio and advancing major initiatives such as grid modernization, wildfire mitigation, and undergrounding of electric and fiber infrastructure to improve safety and resilience. In parallel, the City is piloting fiber-to-the-premises internet services while reconstructing the electric system to increase capacity and minimize disruption. Utilities at a glanceFY23, Grid Modernization for Electrification, Underground Infrastructure Palo Alto Fiber.

Check out this interview with Chief Operating Officer Terry Crowley as he discusses the utility, the department, and the position. The ideal candidate is a seasoned electric utility operations leader with deep technical expertise and a proven track record of managing multiple facets of electric utility systems. They bring both strategic perspective and hands-on operational knowledge, with the ability to safely lead teams in a fast-paced, 24/7 environment.

Minimum Qualifications & Background Bachelor's degree and at least 7 years of relevant electric utility experience (or equivalent combination). Strong background in electric distribution, transmission, substation, metering, and utility operations. Experience overseeing field operations, construction, and maintenance programs.

Demonstrated experience in building teams, managing contractors, and budget acumen. Leadership & Management Strengths Proven ability to lead, develop, and motivate diverse technical teams. Strong supervisory and performance management skills.

Effective at prioritizing work, allocating resources, and driving accountability. Skilled in navigating complex operational and customer service challenges. Technical & Operational Expertise Deep knowledge of electric utility operations, construction practices, and safety standards.

Familiarity with dispatch operations, emergency response, and system reliability improvements. Understanding of applicable regulations (Cal/ OSHA, NFPA, NESC, GO 95/128/165). Experience working with engineering staff to deliver construction projects on time.

Critical Competencies Strong decision-making and problem-solving abilities. Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present technical information clearly. Ability to collaborate across departments and with external agencies.

High attention to safety, compliance, and operational excellence. Personal Attributes Hands-on, proactive leader with a strong sense of ownership. Calm and decisive under pressure, especially in emergency situations.

Collaborative and relationship-oriented. Committed to continuous improvement and innovation. Salary range for this position is $206,024.00 - $274,684.80; salary supplemented by attractive benefits

First review of applications will be on June 25th, 2026. The City of Palo Alto reserves the right to close this posting once a sufficient number of applications have been received. To be considered for this opportunity, upload a compelling cover letter and resume using the "Apply" feature at JP Recruiting.

Contact Executive Recruiter for Questions Jenna Flanagan 916-304-6663 jenna@jpowersinc.com