Entry Level Associate Engineer Jobs in California

Provides specialized technical and engineering support in a variety of telecommunication areas including the plan, design, development, installation, operation and maintenance of SMUD's telecommunication infrastructure to ensure telecommunications systems are reliable, accessible, and meet the needs of business units.

This classification is comprised of two levels: Level "E" is the entry-level where incumbents are provided formal training and/or certification for progression to the journey-level of the classification. The incumbent is promoted/progressed to the journey level "J" upon successful completion of all training and/or certification requirements for the classification. Incumbents hired at the entry-level are required to successfully progress to the journey-level within 18 to 60 months, depending on the length of the training and/or certification program. If an employee is unsuccessful with progressing to the journey-level they will return to last class held or separate from SMUD.

• Plans, designs, develops and maintains telecommunication networks and systems by offering technical and engineering support; defines functional and system requirements; develops design criteria to meet current arid future needs; supports installation, operation and maintenance of networks and systems; develops testing criteria; provides technical and engineering consultation and solutions.
• Analyzes the need for new telecommunication systems, upgrades, expansions and modifications by evaluating the effectiveness of the current systems; conducts feasibility studies; determines current and long-range capability by analyzing loadings, performance levels, and responsiveness to operational and transient conditions; evaluates current technologies; conducts cost analysis; defines system requirements; designs modifications; supports installations; develops testing scenarios; conducts post-implementation reviews.
• Supports SMUD's telecommunication goals and direction while continually enhancing the reliability and productivity of the telecommunication systems and networks.
• Supports the overall effectiveness of the use of telecommunication networks and systems by its users by offering technical and engineering support and user training on telecommunication systems; provides technical consultation to business units; troubleshoots user obstacles; establishes training needs; conducts training; responds to user need requests; provides emergency support to operating systems.
• Plans, coordinates, prioritizates and monitors work activities with work-unit employees to meet established task objectives and deadlines by following established policies and precedents; participates as a team member in accomplishing objectives; refers problems to supervision where solutions are not readily achievable.
• Participates in assigned tasks of a work unit in order to meet defined unit goals and schedules and comply with SMUD schedule, quality, quantity, safety and performance standards.
• Assists in administering the department budget by participating in planning, monitoring and revising schedules, work plans, expenditures and assignments.
• Performs related duties as required.

• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in electrical engineering or a related field.

• Three or more (3+) years of relevant work experience in planning, designing, installing and supporting telecommunication networks and systems.

Basic theory and engineering design principles; operational characteristics of a variety of telecommunications systems and specialized technology; basic telecommunications operating procedures and equipment requirements; basic data processing systems and communications; computer programming concepts and techniques; computer and network operating systems; computer based control and data acquisition systems; office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases; English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Perform routine engineering design and testing tasks; basic principles and concepts of data management; learn electrical standards, codes, and ordinances; learn maintenance practices and testing methods; learn electrical safety; learn SMUD policies and procedures; prepare reports on specialized telecommunications subjects; learn to read, understand and develop documents and drawings covering telecommunication systems; maintain good public relations with manufacturers, contractors, and government agencies; operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications; communicate effectively both orally and in writing internally/externally; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work internally/externally.

• Four or more (4+) years of related experience
• Knowledge and experience with land mobile radio and voice dispatch systems.
• Knowledge and experience with physical security, cameras, and access control systems.
• Knowledge and experience in ordering circuits from service providers (AT&T, Verizon).
• Knowledge and experience with point-to-point microwave radio data systems.
• Knowledge and experience with link budgets, radio propagation, and the FCC licensing process.
• Knowledge and experience with planning, constructing, and managing outside pant (OSP) fiber optic cable systems.
• Knowledge of electronics, DC power systems, IP-networks (switching, routing, security), SCADA systems, physical security systems, video surveillance systems, operating test equipment, testing and troubleshooting of communication systems.
• Knowledge of drafting software (AutoCAD), drawing control systems, project management, writing technical specifications, procurement processes, and how to write clear and unambiguous work instructions.
• Registration as a Professional Electrical Engineer in the State of California is desired.