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Geothermal Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Calpine

Electrical Engineer III

Middletown, CA

$122K - $156K/yr

CEG), is America's largest generator of electricity from natural gas and geothermal resources with ... Works closely with other engineering disciplines in the development and application of robotics to ...

Calpine

Electrical Engineer III

Middletown, CA · On-site

$122K - $156K/yr

CEG), is America's largest generator of electricity from natural gas and geothermal resources with ... Works closely with other engineering disciplines in the development and application of robotics to ...

Calpine

Process Control Engineer III

Middletown, CA

$109K - $139K/yr

CEG), is America's largest generator of electricity from natural gas and geothermal resources with ... Reviews P&IDs, PFDs, HGLs and pump curves to assist engineering with new project designs. Work ...

Calpine

Process Control Engineer III

Middletown, CA · On-site

$109K - $139K/yr

CEG), is America's largest generator of electricity from natural gas and geothermal resources with ... Reviews P&IDs, PFDs, HGLs and pump curves to assist engineering with new project designs. Work ...

Calpine

Plant Engineer II

Coyote, CA

$112K - $143K/yr

CEG), is America's largest generator of electricity from natural gas and geothermal resources with ... Bachelor's degree in engineering * Journey - level; typically requires 3+ years' experience Salary ...

Calpine

Plant Engineer II

Coyote, CA · On-site

$112K - $143K/yr

CEG), is America's largest generator of electricity from natural gas and geothermal resources with ... Bachelor's degree in engineering * Journey - level; typically requires 3+ years' experience Salary ...

Fervo Energy

Director of Software Engineering

Oakland, CA · On-site

$290K/yr

Description Fervo Energy is the leading developer of next-generation geothermal power ... We design, build, own, and operate geothermal wellfields, pipelines, power plants, and transmission ...

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All JobsGeothermal Engineer JobsGeothermal Engineer Jobs in California

Geothermal Engineer information

See California salary details

$42.9K

$89.9K

$119.9K

How much do geothermal engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for geothermal engineer in California is $89,864.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $76,500.00 and $102,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are typical challenges faced by Geothermal Engineers in their day-to-day work?

Geothermal Engineers often face challenges such as accurately assessing underground resources, managing drilling risks, and addressing environmental or regulatory concerns. The job requires troubleshooting complex mechanical systems and adapting to site-specific geological conditions, which can be unpredictable. Collaboration with environmental scientists, project managers, and construction teams is frequent, so flexibility and clear communication are important. Overcoming these challenges is rewarding and crucial to advancing reliable, sustainable energy solutions.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership roles. Geothermal engineers typically have lower salaries, but top professionals with significant expertise and project management responsibilities may approach high six-figure incomes.

What do geothermal engineers do?

Geothermal engineers design, develop, and manage systems that extract heat from the Earth's subsurface for energy production. They analyze geological data, develop drilling plans, and oversee the installation of geothermal power plants, often using specialized tools and requiring technical certifications. Their work involves site assessment, resource evaluation, and ensuring environmental safety.

What engineers make $500,000?

Highly experienced engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering can earn $500,000 or more annually, often through a combination of base salary, bonuses, and stock options. Senior roles typically require advanced skills, certifications, and extensive industry experience.

What does a Geothermal Engineer do?

A Geothermal Engineer designs, develops, and maintains systems that harness heat from the Earth to generate energy or provide direct heating. They analyze geological data to determine suitable locations for geothermal projects, oversee drilling operations, and optimize the efficiency of geothermal power plants. Their work includes assessing environmental impact, ensuring regulatory compliance, and improving energy extraction techniques.

What is the job outlook for a geothermal engineer?

The job outlook for geothermal engineers is positive, with growth driven by increasing demand for renewable energy sources and sustainable power generation. Opportunities are expected to expand as technology advances and governments promote clean energy initiatives, requiring skills in reservoir engineering, drilling, and environmental assessment.

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

A Geothermal Engineer should possess a strong background in geoscience, thermodynamics, and mechanical or civil engineering, typically holding a bachelor's or master's degree in a related field. Familiarity with modeling software (such as GeoCAD or reservoir simulation tools), geothermal system design, and relevant safety certifications are commonly required. Strong problem-solving skills, teamwork, and effective communication set top candidates apart. These abilities are vital for designing efficient geothermal systems, navigating multidisciplinary project teams, and ensuring safe, cost-effective energy solutions.

What are the most commonly searched types of Geothermal Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Geothermal Engineer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Geothermal Engineer jobs in California? For Geothermal Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Geothermal Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Geothermal Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Geothermal Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Geothermal Engineer job openings:
Geothermal Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Geothermal Engineer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $89,864 per year, or $43.2 per hour.

Senior Electrical Engineer, Controls

Critical Energy Systems

Hawthorne, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 29 days ago

Job description

Company Description:
Critical Energy is an innovative, early-stage, venture-backed cleantech company on a mission to accelerate the global energy transition through abundant, low-cost clean energy. Founded by an ex-SpaceX engineer, Critical Energy designs and manufactures factory-built, modular power plants. These rapidly deployable systems convert heat into electricity using a closed-loop thermodynamic cycle and can be installed in just weeks.
Critical Energy's technology delivers high-efficiency, 24/7 power for geothermal applications and waste heat recovery (including from data center gas turbines), making clean energy practical and cost-effective for demanding sectors like AI hyperscalers and data centers. Backed by top climate and technology investors, Critical Energy is scaling rapidly.
Our Mission:
To build an abundant, low-cost, 100% clean energy future through groundbreaking geothermal innovation.
We are a team of passionate engineers, designers, and visionaries building cutting-edge solutions to meet the world's energy needs with 100% clean energy. We are in the initial stages of development and building our team. This is your chance to join on the ground floor of something big! If you are ready to work at a fun, fast-paced, groundbreaking organization that is positioned to revolutionize geothermal energy, apply today!
About the Role:
We are seeking Senior Electrical Engineer, Controls to own the design, development, and deployment of the instrumentation and controls of our heat-to-electricity ORC products. You will collaborate closely with the systems and turbomachinery teams to translate CONOPS, safety, and system performance requirements into instrumentation hardware procurement decisions and software control schemes. This role will also be part of the commissioning team, including factory acceptance testing and onsite deployments at customer sites. This is a full-time, on-site position located in our Hawthorne, CA facility.
Responsibilities:
  • Architect, develop, and commission PLC-based control systems for ORC power plant processes including working fluid pumps, air-cooled condensers, heat exchangers, and auxiliary systems
  • Design and implement HMI and SCADA applications providing operators with clear process visibility, alarm management, and control functionality
  • Develop control strategies for key process loops including pressure control, working fluid flow regulation, heat source management, and startup/shutdown sequencing
  • Specify, select, and integrate field instrumentation including pressure transmitters, flow meters, temperature transmitters, and level devices
  • Design and lay out industrial electrical control panels compliant with NEC, NFPA 79, and UL 508A, manage panel builds, field wiring, and loop checkout
  • Implement and maintain safety instrumented functions per IEC 61511 principles including SIL verification, cause and effect matrix development, and SIS logic implementation
  • Integrate plant devices across industrial communication protocols including EtherCAT, Modbus TCP, DNP3, and OPC-UA
  • Develop and maintain controls documentation including I/O lists, network architecture diagrams, functional descriptions, cause and effect matrices, and FAT/SAT procedures
  • Support factory acceptance testing and field commissioning of control systems for future plant deployments
  • Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, and systems engineering teams to ensure controls architecture supports plant performance, safety, and reliability requirements
  • Contribute to development of controls standards, templates, and reusable code libraries to drive consistency across future plant designs

Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field
  • 5+ years of hands-on experience designing, programming, and commissioning industrial control systems
  • Demonstrated PLC programming experience: Beckhoff, Allen-Bradley or Siemens acceptable
  • Experience with Structured Text (ST) or similar IEC 61131-3 standard language
  • Experience developing HMI and SCADA applications from scratch with emphasis on operator usability and alarm rationalization
  • Proficiency reading and producing electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and P&IDs
  • Experience with industrial fieldbus and communication protocols (EtherCAT, Modbus TCP, OPC-UA, or equivalent)
  • Familiarity with NEC, NFPA 79, and UL 508A for industrial control panel design
  • Strong first-principles analytical and troubleshooting skills, able to debug complex system interactions across mechanical, electrical, and software domains
  • Highly self-motivated with demonstrated ability to drive tasks to completion with minimal supervision in a fast-paced startup environment

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience with ORC, geothermal, Rankine-cycle, or other power generation systems
  • Experience with VFD-driven motor systems including tuning, commissioning, and integration with PLC control loops
  • Familiarity with IEC 61511 safety instrumented systems and SIL classification
  • Experience with data historian platforms and process data infrastructure
  • Python experience for data acquisition, analysis, or PLC/SCADA integration
  • Experience with AutoCAD Electrical or EPLAN for controls documentation
  • Exposure to API 670 machinery protection systems
  • Experience supporting hardware bring-up, FAT, SAT, and commissioning in field environments
  • NFPA 70E electrical safety certification

Compensation:
  • Base salary ranges from $140-200k per annum
  • Equity options
  • 100% company-covered Platinum or HD/HSA (with company contribution) medical
  • 100% company-covered dental and vision
  • Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
  • 401k retirement options
  • Daily catered lunch
  • Free EV charging
  • Several annual social and team building outings

Apply