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Utility Engineer Jobs in Santa Rosa, CA (NOW HIRING)

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Utility Engineer information

See Santa Rosa, CA salary details

$38.3K

$105.8K

$182.6K

How much do utility engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for utility engineer in Santa Rosa, CA is $105,812.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,200.00 and $129,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Does a Utility Engineer Do?

A utility engineer is a civil engineer who works for a utility company, such as a water, gas, or electric company. Their job duties are to design, implement, and maintain utility infrastructures, such as water or gas mains, electrical grids, and other types of delivery systems. Qualifications for a utility engineer include a bachelor’s or master’s degree in civil engineering or a related field of engineering and experience. Professional certification is available. Problem-solving and leadership skills are important in this career.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering can earn $500,000 or more annually, often through a combination of base salary, bonuses, and stock options. High-level roles typically require extensive experience, advanced skills, and sometimes professional certifications or advanced degrees.

What are Utility Engineers?

Utility Engineers are professionals responsible for designing, maintaining, and overseeing the infrastructure systems that deliver essential services such as water, electricity, gas, and telecommunications. They ensure these utility systems operate efficiently, safely, and in compliance with regulations. Utility Engineers may work for utility companies, government agencies, or private consulting firms, and their roles often involve project management, system upgrades, troubleshooting, and field inspections. Their expertise is critical for supporting the infrastructure that communities and businesses rely on daily.

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

To thrive as a Utility Engineer, you need a solid background in civil, mechanical, or electrical engineering, often supported by a bachelor's degree and a Professional Engineer (PE) license. Familiarity with CAD software, GIS systems, and utility-specific modeling tools is typically required. Strong problem-solving, project management, and teamwork skills help you excel in coordinating with stakeholders and addressing complex infrastructure challenges. These competencies are crucial for ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable utility systems that meet regulatory and community needs.

Is 40 too late to be an engineer?

Utility engineering is a field open to individuals of various ages, and starting a career at 40 is possible with relevant skills, certifications, and experience. Many engineers successfully transition into the profession later in life, often bringing valuable perspectives and expertise. Continuous learning and gaining industry-specific knowledge can help establish a successful career regardless of age.

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

Utility engineers and electrical engineers typically earn salaries below $500,000 annually, with top executives or specialized consultants sometimes reaching higher income levels. Achieving such a salary usually requires advanced roles, extensive experience, or working in high-paying industries or locations, often supplemented by bonuses or profit sharing.

What do utility engineers do?

Utility engineers design, maintain, and optimize systems that provide essential services such as water, electricity, and gas. They analyze infrastructure, troubleshoot issues, and ensure compliance with safety and environmental standards, often using tools like CAD software and requiring technical certifications. Their work environment typically involves field inspections and office planning, with schedules that may include shifts or on-call duties.

What is the difference between Utility Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectUtility EngineerMechanical Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree in engineering, often with certifications in facilities or utility managementBachelor's degree in mechanical engineering; licensure may be preferred
Work EnvironmentFacilities, power plants, utility systems within industrial or commercial sitesDesign, manufacturing, or maintenance settings involving mechanical systems
Industry UsageCommon in utility companies, industrial plants, and large facilitiesWidespread across manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, and HVAC industries

Utility Engineers focus on maintaining and optimizing utility systems like power, water, and HVAC within facilities, while Mechanical Engineers design and analyze mechanical systems across various industries. Both roles require engineering degrees, but their work environments and specific responsibilities differ significantly.

What are some common challenges Utility Engineers face when coordinating projects across multiple departments?

Utility Engineers often work on projects that require input and collaboration from various departments such as operations, maintenance, environmental compliance, and construction. One common challenge is ensuring clear communication and alignment of project goals, schedules, and regulatory requirements among these diverse teams. Utility Engineers must be proactive in facilitating meetings, managing documentation, and addressing any conflicts or misunderstandings that arise. Developing strong organizational and interpersonal skills is essential to successfully navigate these challenges and keep projects on track.
What are the most commonly searched types of Utility Engineer jobs in Santa Rosa, CA? The most popular types of Utility Engineer jobs in Santa Rosa, CA are:
What are popular job titles related to Utility Engineer jobs in Santa Rosa, CA? For Utility Engineer jobs in Santa Rosa, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities near Santa Rosa, CA are hiring for Utility Engineer jobs? Cities near Santa Rosa, CA with the most Utility Engineer job openings:

Senior - Principal Engineer - Municipal Water Conveyance & Storage

West Yost

Santa Rosa, CA • On-site

$112K - $189K/yr

Full-time

Posted 21 days ago


Job description

Who We Are:

West Yost is a water resource management and engineering firm focused exclusively on water. Since our founding in 1990, we have partnered with public agencies including cities, counties, utilities, and water districts to plan, design, and deliver water, wastewater, and stormwater solutions that support safe, reliable, and resilient communities.

Our team of more than 260 professionals brings together expertise in groundwater, water supply, treatment, infrastructure, recycled water, stormwater, construction management, and operations technology. We support projects from early planning and permitting through design and construction and complement our engineering services with program management and public outreach to help clients move work forward and engage their communities.

We are proud to be certified as a Great Place to Work®, and to be recognized among Fortune’s® Best Workplaces in Consulting and Professional Services from 2023 to 2025, as well as a top-ranked firm in the AEC Advisors Diversity Index. At West Yost, we are committed to being the water firm of choice for our clients and our team, advancing water resources for future generations through strong partnerships, practical solutions, and a shared commitment to quality.

Compensation Range: $112,000 - $189,530.  Based on our Davis, CA office location.  (West Yost uses geographic salary differentials that would apply for candidates in other regions). 

Status: Full-time, Exempt

Location:  Preference is one of our Northern California office locations.  (https://www.westyost.com/locations/ ).

This is a Hybrid role with 3 days in the office and 2 days remote.

Position Description:

Senior - Principal Engineer - Municipal Water Conveyance & Storage (Northern California) 

West Yost is looking for a Senior - Principal level Engineer to join the team! You will have a desire to oversee and assist team members with an array of tasks including but not limited to water infrastructure planning and design. The Senior - Principal Engineer represents achievement beyond the associate and/or senior-level in technical expertise, design, project planning, project engineering, management, client relations and/or business development.

Essential Duties:

  • Perform complex engineering tasks including engineering designs, preparing reports, construction drawings, specifications, and calculations for various projects.
  • Review product designs and drawings for compliance with engineering principles, firm standards, customer contract requirements, and related specifications.
  • Develop proposals and budgets for lower risk and smaller engineering efforts.
  • Meet with clients to determine recommended project scope, estimate staffing requirements, and fee for review and prepare for signature.
  • Develop and maintain client contact before, during, and after project completion.
  • Cultivate client relationships through organizational involvement and by direct contract.
  • Maintain three-month workload projections for all projects under personal management.
  • Work closely with other engineers and managers to balance workload demands amongst current staff.
  • Assist in mentoring and training Associate Engineers, Engineers and Engineering Interns.
  • Prepare and conduct technical review of staff, reports, correspondence, calculations and prepare technical recommendations.
  • Plan, organize and supervise work of professionals and technicians as needed.
  • Prepare specifications and contract documents.
  • Prepare opinions of probable cost and construction schedules/sequencing on current and new designs.
  • Act as project manager or team member on larger design and construction projects.

Required Education and/or Experience:

  • Bachelor’s degree in in Civil/Environmental Engineering
  • 10+ years of relevant experience
  • Excellent writing and communication skills
  • Experience with CAD and GIS
  • PE licensure

Preferred Education and/or Experience:

  • Master’s degree in in Civil/Environmental Engineering

Travel Requirements:

This position may require travel to other offices and/or client offices.

A Little About the West Yost Life:

You will experience many opportunities to grow and develop professionally with your colleagues through collaborative in-person work experience, knowledge sharing, and mentorship opportunities. We also offer hybrid and flexible work schedules to our employees to help promote and encourage a healthy work/life balance.  All of our team members have access to local and company-wide events, our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Workgroup, Culture Workgroup, Wellness Workgroup, book clubs, charitable giving and community service, firm-wide resources, peer groups (young professionals & middlers group), and mentorship and leadership programs.  We support and foster your career success and encourage you to be in control of your future with us.

At West Yost, we make space for connection across the firm. Each month, we hold an all-hands meeting that bring together team members from every location, including those working remotely, to stay aligned and engaged. Individual sectors and teams also hold their own monthly meeting. At the local level, our offices host gatherings, from camping trips and river rafting to community events and celebrations.

Once a year, we come together in person for our Annual All Staff event, a firmwide experience focused on learning, networking, and building relationships across teams. That evening, we continue our longest-standing tradition, the Duck Dinner, where West Yosters are encouraged to bring a guest and enjoy a night of great food, connection, and entertainment.

We work hard, and we place equal value on having fun.

Our commitment to quality begins with our hiring practices. We employ the most talented team members in our industry from all backgrounds. We are highly selective of the individuals we choose to represent the firm, seeking only those individuals whose technical abilities and commitment to client service matches our vision for excellence.  We are dedicated to our number one asset, our employees.  Because we are employee-owned, we are responsible for and rewarded by our own success. Come to West Yost where, with our support, you’ll do the best work of your life.

Standard Benefits:

We provide a comprehensive array of valuable benefits to protect your health, your family, and your way of life. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, health saving accounts (with West Yost contribution), paid vacation, paid sick leave and holidays, two employee assistance programs, travel assistance program, 401(k) profit sharing with employer match, leaves of absence with additional supplemental paid time off, parental leave, life and AD&D insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance, and even pet insurance.

Other Unique Benefits:

You’ll be provided with support in on-going education through our 529 college savings plan/student loan repayment program, tuition reimbursement, paid professional memberships, paid training, and Leadership Academy programs. You’ll be recognized for your contributions at West Yost through milestone anniversary benefits, peer to peer recognition programs, the potential for employee stock ownership, annual monetary and paid time off bonuses, performance-based bonus eligibility, merit increase eligibility, and employee referral bonuses. We also offer a wellness reimbursement.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.