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Power System Operator Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Vast

Senior Power Engineer

Long Beach, CA

$109K - $150K/yr

Power budget development and management across multiple operating modes * Battery management system experience - charge control, cell balancing, state of charge estimation * Understanding of solar ...

K2 Space

Senior Power Electronics Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$160K - $210K/yr

... systems ever flown in space. You will be able to develop a broad range of power electronics devices ranging from power switching to power conversion components capable of operating in the harshest ...

Vast

Senior Power Engineer

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$137K - $195K/yr

Power budget development and management across multiple operating modes * Battery management system experience - charge control, cell balancing, state of charge estimation * Understanding of solar ...

Luxus

Senior Electical Engineer (POWER)

Walnut Creek, CA · On-site

$150K - $182K/yr

Architect detailed electrical power systems for complex water and wastewater treatment facilities, operating with full technical autonomy. * System Analysis & Optimization: Perform rigorous load ...

Luxus

Senior Electical Engineer (POWER)

Walnut Creek, CA · Hybrid

$119K - $155K/yr

Architect detailed electrical power systems for complex water and wastewater treatment facilities, operating with full technical autonomy. * System Analysis & Optimization: Perform rigorous load ...

Luxus

Senior Electical Engineer (POWER)

Walnut Creek, CA · Hybrid

$119K - $155K/yr

Architect detailed electrical power systems for complex water and wastewater treatment facilities, operating with full technical autonomy. * System Analysis & Optimization: Perform rigorous load ...

JetZero

Lead Electrical Power Systems Engineer

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$168K - $175K/yr

... translating operator and airworthiness requirements, working with the avionics suppliers to ... You will collaborate closely with other system engineering teams, labs, and technicians to shape ...

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Power System Operator information

See California salary details

$86.9K

$124.9K

$159.2K

How much do power system operator jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for power system operator in California is $124,852.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $109,400.00 and $142,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Power System Operator job?

A Power System Operator monitors and controls electrical power generation and distribution to ensure a stable and reliable supply. They use advanced control systems to manage grid operations, balance demand and supply, and respond to outages or emergencies. Operators work in control centers, often on rotating shifts, to oversee real-time power flow and coordinate with other utility personnel. Their role is critical in preventing blackouts and maintaining system efficiency.

What is a typical work environment like for a Power System Operator?

Power System Operators usually work in control centers, which are secure facilities featuring advanced computer systems, large monitoring displays, and communication equipment. Most positions require working in shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays, since the power grid must be monitored 24/7 to ensure reliable service. Operators frequently collaborate with engineers, field technicians, and other operators to respond rapidly to system disturbances or scheduled outages. This role is fast-paced and requires vigilance, but it offers a dynamic environment where teamwork and real-time problem-solving are highly valued. Many operators find the work rewarding due to its vital role in maintaining critical infrastructure.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Power System Operator position, and why are they important?

Power System Operators require strong analytical abilities, attention to detail, and a background in electrical engineering or a related field, often supported by industry certifications or relevant work experience. Familiarity with energy management systems, SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) software, and NERC certifications is typically essential in this role. Effective communication, decision-making under pressure, and teamwork are critical soft skills for excelling as an operator. These competencies ensure the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of power grids, minimizing downtime and maintaining service continuity.

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Power System Operator jobs near you

Senior Power Engineer

Vast

Long Beach, CA

$109K - $150K/yr

Other

Posted 23 days ago

Job description

Vast is seeking a Senior Power Engineer to own the power system architecture and development for a new constellation-ready 15kW spacecraft bus - a product line designed to scale to hundreds of spacecraft per year. 

This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location. 

About the role:

You'll define the power system architecture for a 15kW-class spacecraft bus - topology, bus voltage, battery sizing, power electronics, and fault protection. You own the architecture decisions, the end-to-end power budget, and the power quality requirements that payload customers must meet. You'll determine what needs to be built new versus what can be reused from heritage, define requirements for any new avionics boxes, and work with the electronics lead to get them built. You'll also coordinate with the solar array and battery teams on electrical performance and any modifications needed for this mission.

Responsibilities: 

  • Define the power architecture - DET vs MPPT topology, bus voltage selection, battery sizing, solar array string configuration
  • Define requirements for power electronics boxes - the electronics lead builds the boards, you own what they need to do and how they're tested
  • Own the power budget - detailed by mode (safe, nominal, peak, eclipse), closed with margin for all payload configurations including high-power compute payloads
  • Coordinate with the internal battery team - assess whether the heritage battery meets this mission's requirements and define any modifications needed
  • Coordinate with the solar array team on array electrical performance - cell selection, string voltage, degradation, articulation strategy
  • Own power distribution - evaluate heritage options or define new requirements as the architecture demands
  • Define requirements for SADA and solar array release mechanism procurement
  • Define and tailor bus power quality requirements - voltage regulation, transient response, inrush management, EMI/EMC (tailored from MIL-STD-461 or equivalent) - and work with payload customers to flow down and verify compliance
  • Own fault protection and safe mode power management - undervoltage protection, load shedding, safe mode power profiles
  • Support system-level power trades - how do high-power payloads affect battery sizing, solar array sizing, and eclipse performance?
  • Contribute power budget and architecture trade results to the spacecraft design and simulation toolchain
  • Build a power engineering team as the program scales from first build to production rate

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline
  • 6+ years of spacecraft power system design experience - solar array, battery, bus regulation, power distribution
  • Experience with power architecture trades (DET vs MPPT, bus voltage selection)
  • Power budget development and management across multiple operating modes
  • Battery management system experience - charge control, cell balancing, state of charge estimation
  • Understanding of solar array electrical performance - I-V curves, temperature coefficients, radiation degradation
  • Experience taking a power electronics box from requirements through functional test
  • Comfortable managing heritage reuse - assessing whether existing hardware meets new mission requirements

Preferred Skills & Experience:

  • Full lifecycle experience with spacecraft power systems - requirements, design, build, test, flight, and on-orbit operations
  • Able to obtain a security clearance
  • Experience with high-power spacecraft buses (5kW+ class)
  • SADA (solar array drive actuator) selection and integration experience
  • Power system experience across multi-satellite builds
  • Familiarity with LiIon battery electrochemistry and cell-level performance modeling
  • Fault protection and autonomous power management experience

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