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Power Generation Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

TALENT Software Services

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Electrical Engineer - Hydro/Fossil Power Generation

Rancho Cordova, CA · On-site

$60 - $70/hr

Function in an engineering capacity. Develop and modify technical deliverables associated with ... Minimum 5 yrs Experience in hydro or fossil power generation plant design. * Familiarity with NFPA ...

JetZero

Lead Electrical Power Systems Engineer

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$168K - $175K/yr

Lead the architecture and design of electrical power generation and distribution systems (AC/DC ... Provide technical leadership and mentor junior engineers What You Bring: * Bachelor's or Master ...

Chariot Defense

Power Electronics Engineer

San Bruno, CA · On-site

$133K - $158K/yr

In other words, power generation must be decoupled from power consumption. Chariot Defense ... We're looking for a power electronics engineer who can own the electrical architecture of our power ...

NAES Corporation

Power Plant Engineer

Mckittrick, CA

... Engineer supports the safe, reliable, efficient, and compliant operation of La Paloma Power ... Track forced outages, derates, and loss of generation events, conducting Root Cause Analyses (RCA ...

NAES

Power Plant Engineer

Mckittrick, CA · On-site

... Engineer supports the safe, reliable, efficient, and compliant operation of La Paloma Power ... Track forced outages, derates, and loss of generation events, conducting Root Cause Analyses (RCA ...

NAES

Power Plant Engineer

Mckittrick, CA · On-site

... Engineer supports the safe, reliable, efficient, and compliant operation of La Paloma Power ... Track forced outages, derates, and loss of generation events, conducting Root Cause Analyses (RCA ...

NAES Corporation

Power Plant Engineer

Mckittrick, CA

$140K - $165K/hr

... Engineer supports the safe, reliable, efficient, and compliant operation of La Paloma Power ... Track forced outages, derates, and loss of generation events, conducting Root Cause Analyses (RCA ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsPower Generation Engineer JobsPower Generation Engineer Jobs in California

Power Generation Engineer information

See California salary details

$103.6K

$123.5K

$142.6K

How much do power generation engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for power generation engineer in California is $123,537.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $115,000.00 and $133,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a power generation engineer do?

A Power Generation Engineer is responsible for the design, operation, and maintenance of systems and equipment that generate electricity. This includes working with power plants that use fossil fuels, nuclear energy, or renewable resources such as wind, solar, and hydroelectric power. They ensure that power generation is efficient, reliable, and meets safety and environmental standards. Their duties often involve troubleshooting equipment issues, optimizing system performance, and staying up to date with regulatory requirements. Power Generation Engineers play a key role in ensuring a consistent and sustainable energy supply.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a power generation engineer?

To thrive as a Power Generation Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical or mechanical engineering, typically supported by a bachelor’s degree and relevant experience in power systems. Familiarity with SCADA systems, power plant control software, and industry certifications such as PE (Professional Engineer) or specific safety training are highly valued. Strong problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills help engineers effectively manage complex projects and coordinate across departments. These competencies are essential to ensure reliable, efficient, and safe energy production in a critical infrastructure industry.

How does a power generation engineer typically collaborate with other departments to ensure reliable plant operations?

Power Generation Engineers regularly coordinate with operations, maintenance, and safety teams to optimize plant performance and minimize downtime. They work closely with operations staff to monitor equipment status and troubleshoot issues, and partner with maintenance personnel to schedule preventive or corrective work. Additionally, they often collaborate with environmental compliance and project management teams to ensure regulatory standards are met and upgrades are implemented smoothly. This cross-functional teamwork is essential for maintaining efficiency and safety in power generation facilities.

What is the difference between Power Generation Engineer vs Power Plant Operator?

AspectPower Generation EngineerPower Plant Operator
CredentialsBachelor's in engineering, certifications like PE often preferredHigh school diploma or equivalent, specialized training
Work EnvironmentDesign, develop, and oversee power generation systems, often in offices or labsOperate and monitor power plant equipment on-site
Industry UsageUsed in power plant design, project management, and system optimizationPrimarily in daily plant operations and equipment control

Power Generation Engineers focus on designing and improving power systems, while Power Plant Operators handle the day-to-day operation and monitoring of power plants. Both roles are essential in the energy industry but differ in responsibilities and required qualifications.

How much do power generation engineers make?

Power generation engineers typically earn a median annual salary of around $80,000 to $100,000, depending on experience, location, and industry sector. Senior engineers or those with specialized skills and certifications can earn higher salaries, often exceeding $120,000 annually. Salary can also vary based on the complexity of projects and the size of the employer.

What are popular job titles related to Power Generation Engineer jobs in California?

For Power Generation Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Power Generation Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Power Generation Engineer jobs in California are:

Power Generation Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Power Generation Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $123,537 per year, or $59.4 per hour.

Senior Electrical Engineer (Power Generation / Gas-to-Power)

Candid Intelligence

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$100K - $250K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Re-posted 15 days ago

Job description

What We're Building
Candid is building the AI layer for EPCs.
We use AI to reduce the manual effort behind preconstruction engineering by automating document understanding, consistency checks, and repetitive workflow steps across major disciplines. Our goal is to make preconstruction 10x faster without sacrificing engineering quality.
We recently raised $6.5M from top AI and industrial investors (including Schneider Electric and Meta's Chief AI Scientist). Our team includes engineers from MIT, Carnegie Mellon, major LNG and power projects, and leading EPCs.
This Role
We're hiring a senior electrical engineer who has actually delivered power generation and gas-to-power projects at a top EPC, PMC, owner-operator, or utility. Think combined cycle, simple cycle and peakers, gas-to-power for data centers and behind-the-meter campuses, LNG, and cogeneration, including the switchyard and grid interconnection. If your career has been refining or petrochem electrical with no power work, this isn't the right fit.
This is a hands-on role. You'll do real electrical engineering on our delivery work for the parts our software can't handle yet, you'll be the quality check on what the software does produce, and you'll shape where the product goes next. Three jobs in one, and the mix shifts as the product gets better.
What You'll Do
This is hands-on engineering plus product. Day to day you'll:
  • Do real electrical engineering on our FEL-2 and early-phase delivery work, owning the parts our software can't handle yet so projects ship
  • Be the quality gate on Candid's automated electrical outputs: catch what's wrong before it reaches a client, and feed it back so the product gets sharper
  • Define how electrical scope gets developed and validated through FEED on power and gas-to-power projects, and what "good" looks like
  • Review and validate electrical deliverables across early-phase packages: single-lines, load lists, transformer and switchgear sizing, distribution architecture, grounding
  • Build repeatable checks that catch inconsistencies across load assumptions, equipment requirements, and package interfaces
  • Map where electrical rework happens, why it happens, and what inputs drive it
  • Clarify interface points with Mechanical, Process, Instrumentation, and the grid interconnection
  • Separate the steps that are genuinely repetitive from the ones that need real engineering judgment

You'll help define the checks, workflows, and product requirements that let software take on the repetitive parts, with engineers in control.
What We're Looking For
  • 7+ years at a large scale EPC, PMC, owner-operator, or utility, with most of it on power generation or gas-to-power
  • Direct experience on combined cycle, simple cycle, gas-to-power, LNG, or cogeneration projects (not refining or petrochem only)
  • You've personally owned single-line diagram and electrical load list development through FEED
  • Strong on power system architecture: GSU and station service transformers, MV/LV switchgear, MCCs, distribution, grounding
  • Hands-on with power system study tools: ETAP, SKM PowerTools, EasyPower, PSS/E, or similar (load flow, short circuit, coordination, arc flash)
  • Working knowledge of NEC/NFPA 70, IEEE, NESC, NERC, and IEC
  • Familiarity with grid interconnection and the switchyard interface
  • You spot inconsistencies across load lists, single-lines, and vendor packages fast
  • Clear understanding of cross-discipline dependencies
  • You've felt boxed in by big-company process and you want out
  • Comfortable with ambiguity and wearing multiple hats; bias to action over waiting for perfect

Nice to Have
  • Discipline lead or technical authority experience
  • Work on data center or behind-the-meter power campuses
  • Brownfield tie-ins and constrained or islanded power systems
  • Protection and relaying philosophy, or interconnection study experience
  • Real interest in AI and automation

Who Thrives Here
You've outgrown the big-firm machine. You're tired of waiting three weeks for a markup to clear four layers of review, and tired of watching good work die in a stage gate. You want to own your scope end to end, see what you build actually ship, and have a direct line to the founders and the product instead of a 12-person approval chain.
At Candid you'll wear several hats and there's no playbook handing you a defined lane. If that sounds like freedom, you'll love it here. If it sounds like chaos, you won't, and that's okay.
Perks
  • Meaningful base + equity
  • Unlimited PTO. Great work needs recharging.
  • Health insurance covering medical, dental, and vision
  • Up to $150/mo health and wellness reimbursement (gym, fitness classes, and similar)

Apply