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Grid Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Senior GNC Engineer

San Leandro, CA ยท On-site

$140K - $200K/yr

About Grid.aero Grid.aero is building the next generation of autonomous aviation systems for ... We are seeking a GNC Engineer to play a critical leadership role in advancing Grid.aero's flight ...

Senior GNC Engineer

San Leandro, CA ยท On-site

$140K - $200K/yr

About Grid.aero Grid.aero is building the next generation of autonomous aviation systems for ... We are seeking a GNC Engineer to play a critical leadership role in advancing Grid.aero's flight ...

Senior GNC Engineer

San Leandro, CA ยท On-site

$140K - $200K/yr

About Grid.aero Grid.aero is building the next generation of autonomous aviation systems for ... We are seeking a GNC Engineer to play a critical leadership role in advancing Grid.aero's flight ...

Showing results 21-40

Grid Engineer information

See California salary details

$38.5K

$100.4K

$135.7K

How much do grid engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for grid engineer in California is $100,420.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,900.00 and $115,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a grid engineer?

A Grid Engineer is a professional who designs, operates, and maintains electrical grid systems that deliver electricity from power plants to consumers. They ensure the grid runs efficiently, safely, and reliably by overseeing infrastructure such as substations, transmission lines, and distribution networks. Grid Engineers play a crucial role in integrating renewable energy sources, managing grid stability, and addressing outages or emergencies. Their work often involves using advanced technology and data analysis to optimize grid performance.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a grid engineer?

To thrive as a Grid Engineer, you need a solid understanding of electrical engineering principles, power systems, and grid operations, typically backed by a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with grid modeling software (such as PSS/E or PowerWorld), SCADA systems, and relevant certifications like Professional Engineer (PE) licensure are commonly required. Strong problem-solving, analytical thinking, and communication skills help Grid Engineers manage complex projects and collaborate with cross-functional teams. These competencies are essential to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable operation and modernization of electrical grids.

How does a grid engineer typically collaborate with other departments to ensure reliable power distribution?

Grid Engineers work closely with operations, maintenance, and planning teams to monitor grid performance and quickly address any faults or outages. They often coordinate with IT specialists to implement and maintain grid automation systems, and may also interact with regulatory and compliance departments to ensure all standards are met. Effective communication and teamwork are crucial, as Grid Engineers must translate technical data into actionable steps for various stakeholders, ensuring safe and efficient power delivery.

What is the difference between Grid Engineer vs Substation Engineer?

AspectGrid EngineerSubstation Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Electrical Engineering, relevant certificationsBachelor's in Electrical Engineering, relevant certifications
Work EnvironmentPower grid infrastructure, field and officeSubstation facilities, field and office
Industry UsagePower transmission and distribution companiesUtility companies, power plants
Primary FocusDesign, maintenance, and optimization of power gridsDesign, construction, and maintenance of substations

While both roles involve electrical engineering within the power industry, Grid Engineers focus on the overall power transmission network, ensuring efficient and reliable grid operation. Substation Engineers specialize in the design and maintenance of substations, which are critical nodes within the grid. Both roles require similar credentials and often work together to ensure a stable power supply.

What are the most commonly searched types of Grid Engineer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Grid Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Grid Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Grid Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Grid Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,420 per year, or $48.3 per hour.

Optimization Engineer, Grid Systems

GridCARE

Redwood City, CA โ€ข On-site

$140 - $220/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision

Re-posted 11 days ago


Job description

About Us

GridCARE is a leading venture-backed startup solving the most critical constraint in AIโ€™s growth trajectory: immediate access to power. As demand for computing skyrockets, access to energy has become the defining bottleneck in the AI infrastructure race. While leading tech companies invest billions in speculative, long-term solutions that may take decades to arrive, GridCAREโ€™s pioneering physics-based generative AI platform unlocks gigawatts of hidden capacity in todayโ€™s electric grid โ€” enabling hyperscalers, data center developers, and utilities to power AI infrastructure years sooner than conventional approaches and without costly upgrades.

Founded at Stanfordโ€™s Doerr School of Sustainability and backed by leading investors, GridCARE has assembled a worldโ€‘class team spanning power systems, AI, and infrastructure.

At GridCARE, you will:

  • Work at the intersection of AI, energy, and infrastructure โ€” the foundation of the next industrial revolution.

  • Partner with hyperscalers, developers, and utilities on high-impact, realโ€‘world deployments.

  • Help shape a more abundant, efficient, and resilient energy future for the digital era.

  • Join a company defining a new category โ€” capacity acceleration for AI.

  • Receive competitive compensation, equity, and benefits in a fastโ€‘growth, missionโ€‘driven environment.

About the role

We're looking for an engineer in the early stages of their career who has demonstrated the ability to solve difficult technical problems in a professional or research setting to work on hard computational problems in the electric grid. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys solving difficult optimization problems and building software that has a direct impact on critical infrastructure. Youโ€™ll work closely with experienced engineers and researchers to build tools that help make the grid more flexible, efficient, and resilient as data centers, renewables, storage, and new regulations reshape how electricity systems operate.

What youโ€™ll do
  • Build optimization and simulation software for large-scale electric grid planning and operations problems.

  • Develop models and algorithms for resource scheduling, network constraints, system reliability, and large-scale operational planning.

  • Translate mathematical ideas into clear, tested, maintainable code.

  • Analyze computational performance, identify bottlenecks, and improve reliability.

  • Learn, customize, and fineโ€‘tune optimization algorithms.

  • Work with real-world data and constraints from large physical systems.

  • Collaborate across software engineering, applied AI, and power systems.

  • Take ownership of important modeling and optimization challenges.

What weโ€™re looking for
  • A Master's degree or equivalent experience in a quantitative field such as engineering, computer science, applied math, physics, or operations research.

  • Strong fundamentals in math, algorithms, and software engineering.

  • Experience writing productionโ€‘quality code in a language such as Python or Julia.

  • Experience with optimization solvers, simulation tools, and large-scale numerical workflows.

  • Ability to reason from first principles and learn unfamiliar technical areas quickly.

  • Strong debugging, communication, and collaboration skills.

  • Effectively leverage modern AI tools and workflows to accelerate model development, experimentation, and software engineering.

  • 1โ€“5 years of industry experience, or equivalent applied research experience, in optimization, modeling, simulation, or scientific software development.

Nice to have
  • Exposure to power systems, energy markets, or the utility industry.

  • Exposure to optimization, operations research, numerical methods, scientific computing, or large-scale infrastructure systems.

  • Interest in electricity infrastructure, climate, energy, or industrial AI.

What We Offer
  • Competitive salary, performance bonus, and equity.

  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage.

  • Lunch provided three days a week in office.

  • Hybrid schedule: 3 days in office for collaboration, 2 days remote for focused work.

  • Access to leading academic, industry, and government partners in the AIโ€‘energy ecosystem.

  • A missionโ€‘driven team focused on shaping the future of the energy transition.

Salary Range

$140,000โ€“$220,000

Join us in tackling one of the most important infrastructure challenges of our time - enabling the energy foundation for the age of AI.

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