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Electrical Substation Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

This Engineer is accountable for developing substation electrical drawings in accordance with RFQ scope of work, ensuring constructability of design. This individual provides leadership, mentorship ...

Substation Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site +1

$95K - $140K/yr

Support the engineering and design of electrical substation projects. * Prepare and review engineering drawings, calculations, specifications, and technical documentation. * Support substation ...

Substation Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site +1

$95K - $140K/yr

Support the engineering and design of electrical substation projects. * Prepare and review engineering drawings, calculations, specifications, and technical documentation. * Support substation ...

Substation Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site +1

$95K - $140K/yr

Support the engineering and design of electrical substation projects. * Prepare and review engineering drawings, calculations, specifications, and technical documentation. * Support substation ...

Substation Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$95K - $140K/yr

Support the engineering and design of electrical substation projects. * Prepare and review engineering drawings, calculations, specifications, and technical documentation. * Support substation ...

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Showing results 1-20

Electrical Substation information

See California salary details

$56.3K

$98.9K

$156.9K

How much do electrical substation jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for electrical substation in California is $98,938.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $75,000.00 and $128,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an electrical substation?

An Electrical Substation job involves the maintenance, operation, and installation of equipment used to regulate and distribute electricity in a power grid. Workers in this role ensure substations function efficiently by inspecting transformers, circuit breakers, and other electrical components. Responsibilities may also include troubleshooting electrical faults and performing routine maintenance to prevent system failures. Substation technicians and engineers must follow strict safety protocols due to the high-voltage environment.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in electrical substation roles?

Professionals working in electrical substations often face challenges such as adhering to strict safety procedures when handling high-voltage equipment, responding quickly to power outages or system malfunctions, and keeping up with evolving industry technology and regulations. The role requires working both independently and as part of a team, frequently in outdoor or shift-based environments where conditions may vary. Effective troubleshooting and clear communication with other engineers, utility personnel, and sometimes emergency responders are essential. Overcoming these challenges helps ensure a safe work environment and reliable electricity supply to communities and businesses.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the electrical substation position, and why are they important?

Excelling in an Electrical Substation role requires a strong background in electrical engineering, power systems, and problem-solving, often supported by an electrical engineering degree, apprenticeship, or relevant technical certifications. Familiarity with SCADA systems, relay protection devices, and safety protocols such as OSHA standards is typically essential. Strong attention to detail, teamwork, and effective communication are valuable soft skills in this position. These competencies ensure safe and efficient operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of high-voltage equipment crucial to power reliability.

How to get into electrical substation work?

To work in electrical substations, individuals typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, followed by technical training or an apprenticeship in electrical work. Certifications such as OSHA safety training and electrician licenses are often required, along with strong knowledge of electrical systems and safety protocols.

What does an electrical substation electrician do?

An electrical substation electrician installs, maintains, and repairs electrical equipment in substations, including transformers, circuit breakers, and switches. They interpret electrical diagrams, ensure safety protocols, and often work with high-voltage systems to ensure reliable power distribution.

What are the most commonly searched types of Electrical Substation jobs in California?

The most popular types of Electrical Substation jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Electrical Substation jobs?

Cities in California with the most Electrical Substation job openings:

Infographic showing various Electrical Substation job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $98,938 per year, or $47.6 per hour.

Electrical Substation Project Manager

Mesa Associates, Inc.

Pomona, CA

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 19 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Manage electrical substation projects throughout their design lifecycle

  • Conduct meetings with project stakeholders, build consensus, and manage action items

  • Monitor and control projects to ensure they meet customer requirements, scope, schedule, and budget


Job description

We’ve got the power to energize Your career and spark YOUR Work/Life Balance through professional development and exceptional benefits.  Don’t delay, plug in today for an inclusive meaningful career in power, distribution, transmission, engineering, design, technology, or innovation at Mesa Associates, Inc.

Mesa seeks a motivated Electrical Substation Project Manager to manage P&C and Physical Design teams who are working on a growing customer's project portfolio. Responsibilities include communicating with our client's project managers and working with Mesa's project team to deliver outstanding customer service and high-quality substation designs. 

Required abilities for Electrical Substation Project Manager:

  • Mature knowledge of medium through extra high voltage substations' protection & control systems and physical design layout requirements.
  • Demonstrate leadership in developing and supporting Mesa's and our customers' safety programs.
  • Strong verbal and written communications skills and the ability to coordinate with and interface with clients, vendors, engineers, colleagues, and other electric utilities personnel.
  • Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships and work effectively with clients, peers, and affiliates.
  • Capable of understanding and implementing new processes/procedures with regards to Project and Program management.
  • Knowledgeable on the Project Management Institute’s (PMI’s) standard for Organizational Project Management (OPM).
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office, scheduling software and the ability to work with corporate accounting practices and business operations.
  • Experience with electrical utility equipment, systems, and project/programs IS required. 

Responsibilities of Electrical Substation Project Manager:

  • Manage electrical substation projects throughout their design lifecycle
  • Manage multiple projects of various complexity concurrently
  • Conduct meetings/calls with project stakeholders, build consensus and resolution to challenges discussed, manage the assignment, follow-up, and completion, of meeting action items
  • Manage the project planning process to ensure each project’s outcome meets customer’s objectives
  • Communicate project milestone requirements with all key stakeholders upon receipt of customer’s approval to proceed
  • Attend customer job walks and provide technical/project support to customer’s Responsible Engineer
  • Complete job walk checklist and review/contribute to meeting minutes. Review project SOW and identify any site constraints/conditions which may impact project feasibility. Provide recommendations to customer project team where reduction in costs or schedule length may be achieved
  • Identify project risks, create a project risk register and apply project risk management and mitigation techniques
  • Develop and submit a project estimate to customer within timeframe allotted by customer
  • Develop a project execution plan and determine the resources necessary to ensure successful project completion
  • Work with group leads to manage design and engineering resources
  • Conduct Project Kick-off meetings with all project stakeholders and share project baselines which will be used to monitor and control the project’s KPI’s
  • Maintain a project log and project status reporting system database to capture communications, milestone reviews, key project data, and change orders
  • Monitor and control projects to ensure project meets customer’s SOW and prevent scope creep
  • Monitor project execution for changes that may impact schedule and budget performance of project
  • Communicate all project changes with customer and project team in a timely fashion to permit evaluation of alternatives to minimize schedule and budget impacts and update project execution plan
  • Monitor and control Project Quality. Ensure QAQC activities are completed on time and all deliverables meet customer’s requirements at each milestone/stage gate
  • Monitor project metrics and provide appropriate feedback to stakeholders to maintain project performance per the project plan
  • Manage internal change order processes to meet Mesa’s and our customer’s requirements
  • Monitor project budgets and financial reports on a weekly/bi-weekly basis analyzing Planned Value, Earned Value, and Schedule/Cost Variance. Provide team with Schedule Performance Index (SPI) and Cost Performance Index (CPI) data on a regular basis
  • Respond to RFI’s and ensure customer receives accurate and timely information regarding project inquires
  • Initiate RFI’s and facilitate necessary discussions to resolve any gaps in knowledge
  • Close out projects in a timely fashion, complete all necessary customer reports/documentation
  • Conduct a project close-out meeting with project stakeholders to capture and record all Lessons Learned
  • Support the development and implementation of client’s project engineering/management tools, standards, and processes to support successful project engineering implementation

Highly Preferred: Experience with Southern California Edison engineering standards and project management requirements

BENEFITS:

Paid Time Off

Holiday Pay – 10 Annually

Group Medical/Dental Insurance

Life Insurance (Company Paid)

Disability Insurance (Company Paid)

401(K) Retirement Savings Plan

401(K) Matching Contribution

Section 125 / Cafeteria Plan

Long Term Care Insurance

Tuition Reimbursement

Fitness Center Reimbursement

Annual Performance Bonus

9/80 Work Schedule

ANNUAL SALARY RANGE:  $120,000 to $155,000.

The expected compensation is a range determined by factors including but not limited to education, experience, and qualifications of the candidate, internal equity, work location, and hiring department’s fiscal resources.

Notice to External Search Firms: Mesa Associates, Inc. and its subsidiaries do not accept unsolicited resumes and will not be obligated to pay a placement fee for unsolicited resumes. Mesa Associates, Inc. Talent Acquisition engages with approved search firms directly for specific hiring needs.