River Project Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Minimum Pay Rate: $119,308.80
Maximum Pay Rate: $158,059.20
Posting Type: Open
Open until filled - Candidates are encouraged to apply early as this posting may close at any time without notice on or after May 27, 2026.
SMUD delivers power to more than 1.5 million customers throughout the Sacramento area. As a community-owned, not-for-profit electric service, we've been providing low-cost, reliable electricity for over 75 years. Our hydroelectric system is a key part of that, transforming Sierra water resources into clean, renewable energy for our communities.
SMUD is seeking a mechanical engineer with power generation or heavy industrial experience to support maintenance projects at the nine hydroelectric powerhouses in the Upper American River Project. In this hands-on role, you will be working with the maintenance engineering group in Pollock Pines, CA to maintain and upgrade the mechanical equipment that keeps our hydropower system at peak reliability. The ideal candidate is a good communicator, comfortable managing projects in the field, and enjoys working alongside skilled craft workers on construction projects.
Located about an hour east of Sacramento, the Fresh Pond campus is home to our engineering offices, skilled craft shops, and warehouses that support the operation and maintenance of the Upper American River Project. This impressive system includes nine powerhouses, eleven reservoirs, and eighteen dams spread across the west slope of the Sierra Nevada, between Placerville and the Desolation Wilderness. If you enjoy the outdoors, you'll appreciate the many recreational opportunities nearby, along with the chance to work on projects within the stunning Crystal Basin.
Purpose
Under general supervision, performs minor to moderately complex mechanical engineering core responsibilities, including problem resolution/project assignments, in the most efficient, safe and cost- effective manner, and that comply with regulatory requirements and restrictions.
Nature and Scope
There are four (4) levels in this job classification series that have similar job content but with progressively more challenging degrees and levels of skill, responsibility, knowledge, experience and qualification requirements:
Flex Classifications (that permit progression from lower-level classes to higher level classes without examination based upon assessment of an individual's experience and performance) within the series:

• Entry: Incumbent acquires knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the tasks associated within the series but are not yet demonstrating these at the Journey level.
• Journey: Incumbent is demonstrating the required skills and knowledge to independently perform the full scope of the job.

Non-Flex Classifications (that promote from lower-level classes to higher level classes and require an examination, such as an interview, based upon individual experience and performance) within the series:

• Senior: Advanced journey level resource who is responsible for advanced assignments, as dictated by the work needing to be performed; may act in a lead/supervisory capacity.
• Principal: Subject matter expert/lead/supervisory level and is responsible for leading the most advanced work, as dictated by the work needing to be performed.

Entry to Journey: Incumbents at the entry level are required to successfully "progress" to the journey level within 60 months of appointment to remain within the job series.
Seniors and Principals must be hired through a promotional process and do not automatically progress from lower levels in the series.
Duties and Responsibilities - Power Generation, All Assets

• Perform engineering design for mechanical systems that support modifications aimed at improving the reliability and efficiency of power generation assets, while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and budgetary constraints.
• Prepare detailed project documentation, including design change notice (DCN) packages and as-built drawings from field data, managing the development and revision of drawings through the Generation Design document control system.
• May take the lead in preparing bid package specifications for the procurement of equipment and services; collaborate with supply chain services, evaluate bids, and oversee contractor activities throughout the project lifecycle to ensure effective support and cost management.
• Execute advanced drafting and graphic assignments using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software, creating detailed drawings, wiring diagrams, and construction documents while utilizing Geographic Information System (GIS) software for mapping specific to SMUD assets.
• Engage in project management activities, potentially leading the design and coordination of lower-complexity power generation projects by developing and managing schedules, budget and resources; serve as the primary contact from initiation to completion, proactively addressing potential issues, coordinating with external agencies, collaborating with field crews and contractors, and assisting in the transition of projects from design to operational phases while interpreting DCN packages and supporting compliance with regulatory reporting.
• Evaluate and assess project alternatives, preparing cost/benefit analyses and forecasts for proposed modifications to ensure the best engineering solutions are chosen.
• Conduct field investigations to ensure compliance with designs and regulations, producing accurate as-built documentation and participating in inspections.
• Represent SMUD in technical and business meetings, effectively communicating project needs and challenges; serve as the primary contact for low-complexity projects by coordinating communication with external agencies, field crews, and contractors throughout the project lifecycle to ensure timelines and deliverables are met.
• Perform other related duties as needed; schedules, hours and locations may fluctuate based on business needs.

Duties and Responsibilities - Hydro Generation

• Under general supervision manage reliability projects and complex maintenance tasks for turbines, generators, penstocks, and hydro plant auxiliary systems, ensuring safe and cost-efficient performance.
• Lead performance and reliability analysis on plant equipment, interpreting sensor/SCADA data, vibration analysis, and condition monitoring results to recommend life extension, upgrades, or replacements.
• Develop job plans and lead preventive/corrective maintenance activities for critical components; coordinate with operations, maintenance teams, and external contractors for outage planning and execution.
• Interpret and ensure compliance with FERC, OSHA, and other regulatory requirements for hydro mechanical systems and safety equipment, contributing to inspection readiness and response.
• Direct root cause analyses of system malfunctions, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to implement permanent corrective actions.
• Develop and review Standard Operating Procedures and maintenance instructions; identify opportunities for efficiency improvement in asset operation and maintenance.
• Perform other related duties as needed; schedules, hours and locations may fluctuate based on business needs.

Required Education

• Bachelor's degree majoring in mechanical engineering or related field from an accredited college or university

Required Experience Qualifications

• At least three (3+) years of progressively responsible mechanical engineering work experience applied to power generation, industrial processes, machine design, or manufacturing.

Required Licenses/Certificates

• Engineer-In-Training (EIT) certification. In lieu of possessing an EIT, incumbent will be required to pass the test prior to completion of the first year of employment as a condition of probation.

Knowledge Of

• Fundamentals, practices and procedures of mechanical engineering as applied to power generation systems, including hydroelectric, thermal, wind, and photovoltaic facilities, as well as natural gas pipeline infrastructure.
• Operation, maintenance and performance characteristics of hydro turbines, thermal plant boilers and pressure vessels, wind turbine mechanical systems, photovoltaic mounting/trackers, and gas pipeline components (e.g., valves, regulators, compressors).
• Applicable codes, standards, and regulatory requirements governing power generation and fuel supply, such as FERC, DSOD, OSHA, ASME, CPUC, NFPA, and PHMSA regulations related to hydro, thermal, renewable, and pipeline systems.
• Methods and best practices for troubleshooting, failure analysis, and root cause investigation specific to hydro, thermal, wind, photovoltaic generation, and natural gas pipeline operations.
• Safety and environmental protection standards as related to power generation facilities and natural gas pipeline operations.
• Preventive and predictive maintenance practices for major mechanical components in hydro plants, thermal plants, wind and solar energy systems, and gas pipeline networks.
• Engineering economics used to evaluate cost/benefit of design modifications and maintenance for generation and pipeline assets.

Skills To

• Design, evaluate and specify mechanical systems for hydroelectric, thermal, wind, and photovoltaic generation facilities as well as natural gas pipeline infrastructure.
• Troubleshoot and resolve operational and maintenance issues involving turbines, heat exchangers, pressure vessels, compressors, pumps, valves, and piping systems associated with power generation and gas supply pipelines.
• Prepare technical project documentation, drawings, and engineering change notices (e.g., DCN packages and as-builts) for mechanical design and field modifications across multiple generation technologies and for pipeline assets.
• Apply relevant industry standards and regulatory requirements to ensure compliance in the operation and maintenance of hydroelectric, thermal, wind, photovoltaic, and gas pipeline systems.
• Utilize Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to develop, review and maintain drawings and maps of generation and pipeline assets.
• Conduct field investigations and inspections, collect/analyze data to assess condition of equipment, and recommend maintenance or repair actions for hydro, thermal, wind, photovoltaic, and pipeline systems.
• Communicate effectively with multidisciplinary teams, external regulatory agencies, and contractors to coordinate mechanical engineering projects and asset maintenance activities.

Desirable Qualifications
The journey mechanical maintenance engineer is expected to oversee the design and construction of projects across the spectrum of mechanical engineering. Experience in any of the following roles would enhance a candidate's success in this position.

• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Experience with hydroelectric generating equipment or other large industrial equipment
• Experience with AutoCAD software
• Experience with 3D modeling software
• Experience creating or reviewing mechanical drawings that include geometric dimensioning and tolerancing
• Experience and interest in working in the field on construction projects
• Welding, corrosion or protective coating experience
• Project management experience
• Mechanical engineering license (P.E.)

Physical Requirements
Applicants must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.
Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) - Who We Are
As the nation's sixth-largest community-owned electric service provider, we're proud of our reputation as one of the best places to work in Sacramento. Our employees tell us in our engagement surveys they're "Happy, satisfied and engaged" which helps create a workplace that best serves our customers. Sacramento was named as the 2nd happiest place to work in America by Forbes Magazine. Lake Tahoe, San Francisco and the world-renowned Napa Valley are within easy driving distance of our locations.
Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
SMUD celebrates diversity, and inspires an inclusive culture based on trust and respect to create belonging and connection among our employees, customers, and communities. By working together, we are powering positive, equitable opportunities for all. We aspire to be a workplace where you can be yourself, achieve your best, and thrive together.
An example of our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging is when SMUD signed the California Equal Pay Pledge in 2020. This requires equal pay for employees who perform "substantially similar work," when viewed as a composite of skill, effort, and responsibility at the time those employees started within that classification. As such, initial hiring salary range is not subject to negotiation and salaries will vary over time based on performance.
SMUD is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, veteran status, or any other applicable legally protected characteristic. All employment decisions are made on the basis of individual qualifications, merit, and business needs and interests.
Why Sacramento, California?
The capitol of California, Sacramento is the state's sixth-largest city, and the 35th largest in the U.S. Local universities include California State University, University of the Pacific's McGeorge School of Law, and the University of California, Davis and several competitive community colleges. The UC Davis Medical Center, a world-renowned research hospital, is one of more than a dozen hospitals and shared services centers in th...