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Grid Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

LLNL

Power Grid Dynamics Engineer - Lead

Livermore, CA · On-site

$175K - $267K/yr

We have an opening for an experienced Power Grid Dynamics Engineer Lead . You will lead system research on electrical power grid infrastructure analysis with a focus on grid resilience and ...

LLNL

Power Grid Dynamics Engineer - Lead

Livermore, CA · On-site

$175K - $267K/yr

We have an opening for an experienced Power Grid Dynamics Engineer Lead . You will lead system research on electrical power grid infrastructure analysis with a focus on grid resilience and ...

LLNL

Power Grid Dynamics Engineer - Lead

Livermore, CA · On-site

$175K - $267K/yr

Wehave an opening for an experienced Power Grid Dynamics Engineer Lead . You will lead system research on electrical power grid infrastructure analysis with a focus on grid resilience and participate ...

Grid Aero

Flight Software Tools Engineer

San Leandro, CA · On-site

$150K - $190K/yr

Grid.aero Location: Onsite 4 days/week [San Leandro, CA] About Grid.aero Grid.aero is building the ... Strong programming skills in C++ (POSIX API on Linux systems) or Python * Experience with git and ...

Grid Aero

GNC Engineer

San Leandro, CA · On-site

$140K - $180K/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 ...

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All JobsGrid Engineer JobsGrid Engineer Jobs in California

Grid Engineer information

See California salary details

$38.5K

$100.4K

$135.7K

How much do grid engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 15, 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.

Can you make $500,000 as an electrical engineer?

Grid engineers, a specialized role within electrical engineering, can potentially earn $500,000 annually with extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership positions such as senior engineer or project manager. High salaries are often associated with working in large companies, in high-cost-of-living areas, or on complex infrastructure projects, and may require specialized certifications and a strong track record. However, such compensation levels are not typical for entry- or mid-level roles.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Grid Engineer, and why are they important?

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.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as software engineering, petroleum engineering, and aerospace engineering can earn $500,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and in high-demand industries. Executive-level engineering roles or those with significant leadership responsibilities may also reach this compensation level.

What jobs pay $500,000 a year in the US?

High-paying roles for Grid Engineers or similar specialized engineering positions can reach or exceed $500,000 annually, especially with experience, advanced skills, and leadership responsibilities. Such compensation often includes base salary, bonuses, and stock options, typically found in senior or executive-level roles within energy, utilities, or infrastructure companies.

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 engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as software engineering, petroleum engineering, and aerospace engineering can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and in high-demand industries. Executive-level engineering roles or those with significant managerial responsibilities may also reach or exceed this salary level.

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 are the most commonly searched types of Grid Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Grid Engineer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Grid Engineer jobs in California? For Grid Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Grid Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for 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:
Grid Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Grid Engineer job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 63% In-person, 6% Hybrid, and 31% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,420 per year, or $48.3 per hour.
Data Engineer, Active Grid Response

Data Engineer, Active Grid Response

Gridware

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$134K - $162K/yr

Full-time

Posted 15 days ago

Job description

About Gridware
Gridware is a San Francisco-based technology company dedicated to protecting and enhancing the electrical grid. We pioneered a groundbreaking new class of grid management called active grid response (AGR), focused on monitoring the electrical, physical, and environmental aspects of the grid that affect reliability and safety. Gridware’s advanced Active Grid Response platform uses high-precision sensors to detect potential issues early, enabling proactive maintenance and fault mitigation. This comprehensive approach helps improve safety, reduce outages, and ensure the grid operates efficiently. The company is backed by climate-tech and Silicon Valley investors. For more information, please visit www.Gridware.io.

Role Overview
As a Data Engineer at Gridware, you’ll help build and maintain the pipelines and data systems powering our Active Grid Response platform. You’ll work closely with cross-functional engineers to ensure telemetry, sensor data, and operational information flows reliably through our Lakehouse and into analytics and monitoring tools. This is a hands-on, high-growth role ideal for engineers ready to deepen their expertise in distributed data systems.
Responsibilities
  • Building ETL/ELT pipelines that ingest transformer, pole, and sensor telemetry into Gridware’s Data Lake and Lakehouse
  • Developing and maintaining real-time and batch ingestion processes using Python, SQL, Databricks, and Spark
  • Implementing data quality checks, validation rules, and automated testing for stable operations
  • Collaborating with Software, Firmware, and Data Science teams to define ingestion schemas and transformations
  • Working with cloud-native tools to optimize pipeline throughput and cost efficiency
  • Monitoring pipelines for reliability, troubleshooting issues, and contributing to on-call rotations
  • Writing documentation for data processes, models, and metadata
Required Skills
  • 2–4 years of experience as a Data Engineer (or Backend Engineer with heavy data exposure)
  • Strong proficiency in Python and SQL
  • Familiarity with data warehouses, Lakehouse platforms, or big data tools (Databricks, Spark, or equivalent)
  • Experience with pipeline orchestration tools (Airflow, Dagster, Prefect, etc.)
  • Understanding of event-driven systems or streaming platforms (Kafka, Kinesis, Pub/Sub)
  • Solid foundation in data modeling, testing, and version control
  • Ability to work collaboratively in a high-autonomy, fast-paced environment
Bonus Skills
  • Experience with IoT, telemetry ingestion, or time-series data
  • Exposure to Unity Catalog, governance, or schema enforcement
  • Understanding of Protobuf, Avro, Parquet, or serialization formats
  • Hands-on experience with observability tools (Grafana, OpenTelemetry)
**At this time, Gridware is unable to provide visa sponsorship or immigration support for this role. We’re only able to consider candidates who are currently authorized to work in the country of employment without visa sponsorship now or in the future.**

This describes the ideal candidate; many of us have picked up this expertise along the way. Even if you meet only part of this list, we encourage you to apply!

Benefits
Health, Dental & Vision (Gold and Platinum with some providers plans fully covered) 
Paid parental leave 
Alternating day off (every other Monday)
“Off the Grid”, a two week per year paid break for all employees. 
Commuter allowance 
Company-paid training