Title: Electrical Engineer, Entry (Open until filled)
Sacramento, CA, US, 95817-1899
Minimum Pay Rate: $110,801.60
Maximum Pay Rate: $146,785.60
Apply by Date:
Note: This position is being posted at both the entry and journey levels; however, only one hire will be made from these two postings. Candidates interested in both levels must apply separately to each posting
Open until filled - Candidates are encouraged to apply early as this posting may close at any time without notice on or after October 12, 2026
SMUD is the nation’s sixth‑largest community‑owned, not‑for‑profit electric service provider, delivering safe, reliable, and affordable electricity while leading the transition to a cleaner energy future for the Sacramento region. As SMUD advances its goals around grid modernization, transportation electrification, distributed energy resource adoption, and a resilient carbon-neutral power system, this role is essential to ensuring new technologies are integrated in ways that uphold power quality, system protection, and overall grid reliability.
Join SMUD’s Distributed Energy Services team as an Entry-Level Electrical Engineer, where you will support the safe, reliable, and efficient integration of Distributed Energy Resources across our distribution system. In this role, you will assist with engineering analysis and project tasks primarily focused on EV infrastructure deployment. Future projects may also include supporting other DER technologies such as solar, battery storage, microgrids, and bidirectional EV charging.
This position plays a vital role in advancing SMUD’s commitment to a carbon-neutral energy future by contributing to innovative, customer‑focused EV charging infrastructure solutions. Success in this role requires the ability to collaborate effectively with teams such as operations, planning, and customer programs, as well as the capacity to learn and communicate technical concepts clearly to diverse stakeholders. Your work will support SMUD’s broader goals of building a stable, modernized, and sustainable energy system.
Application Preparation: As part of the application process, candidates will be required to answer one (1) question when submitting their application. Please be advised, "Refer to resume" responses will not be accepted
Purpose
Under general supervision, assists in performing minor to moderately complex electrical 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 serve 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
Distributed Energy Resources (DER) Planning & Projects - Transportation Electrification (TE) & Demand Response (DR)
- Distribution System Impact Assessment & Modeling: Assist in the modeling and analysis of EV infrastructure, distributed solar, battery storage, V2G/V2B, flexible load programs, and Distributed Energy Resource (DER) impacts on the grid. Support feeder and substation models, basic simulations, and hosting capacity assessments under guidance from more experienced engineers or supervisors.
- Forecasting & System Planning: Support EV adoption, DER growth, and load flexibility forecasting by compiling data and assisting in the analysis for system planning.
- Engineering Support for EV Infrastructure Deployment: Support site assessments, equipment sizing, and service upgrade analysis for EV charging installations across all customer segments. Assist with documentation preparation, interconnection reviews, and commissioning procedures.
- DER Integration & Interconnection Engineering: Assist with DER system interconnection applications, including gathering data, performing basic impact analysis, and supporting equipment rating reviews as part of the engineering team.
- Load Flexibility & Grid-Interactive Load Optimization: Assist in implementation and analysis of managed charging, demand response, and flexible load programs, including data collection and support with event and performance analysis.
- Technical Standards, Specifications & Procedures: Help maintain engineering standards, technical requirements, and assist in drafting engineering documents (service requirements, protection coordination, MOPs, commissioning plans) for TE & DER integration under the direction of more experienced engineers.
- Project Engineering & Utility Coordination: Support technical tasks at all project stages for TE & DER installations—including feasibility studies, design review, field verification, testing, and commissioning—while working collaboratively with project teams.
- System Performance, Safety & Reliability Analysis: Support safety and reliability reviews for EV charging and DER installations and help communicate findings to the operations and maintenance team.
- Documentation, Modeling & Technical Tools: Assist in developing technical reports, studies, specifications, as-built documentation, and support maintaining accurate distribution models and interconnection/load data.
- Additional Functions: Performs other related duties as needed; schedules, hours and locations may fluctuate based on business needs.
Required Education
- Bachelor’s degree with major course work in electrical engineering from an accredited college or university.
Required Experience Qualifications
- One or more (1+) year of progressively responsible relevant work experience in the design, construction, and/or maintenance of electrical systems for various electric utility assets, or six or more (6+) months relevant SMUD internship experience.
Knowledge Of
- Basic electrical theory and electrical engineering design fundamentals; computer aided drafting and design software (such as AutoCAD); basic fundamentals and practices involving the design, installation, operation, repair, and economic evaluation of electrical features; federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations governing electrical codes and standards; office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases; English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Skills To
- Utilize a personal computer and/or computer terminal, systems and software relevant to the job; perform routine and standard relay coordination studies; learn to prepare technical specifications; read and interpret engineering documents and drawings; learn to compile and prepare technical, statistical and/or analytical reports and presentations; learn to interpret and apply applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations; communicate effectively orally and in writing internally/externally; establish and maintain effective working relationships internally/externally.
Desirable Qualifications
- Strong communication skills to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders, including customers and cross-functional teams.
- Basic knowledge of EV charging systems, DER, and applicable codes and standards.
- Ability to assist with site assessments, engineering documentation, and system commissioning.
- Familiarity with utility operations and collaboration with planning, field crews, and customer programs.
- Willingness to learn utility standards, regulations, and contribute to developing technical guidelines.
Physical Requirements
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 the Sacramento region. Part of the agriculturally-rich Central Valley, Sacramento is at the forefront of the farm-to-fork food movement. Northern California is home to some of the country's top technology companies, including Google and LinkedIn, and a multitude of startups in many industries. Sacramento is home to the NBA Kings, the River Cats (AAA baseball), the Republic FC (soccer) and the San Francisco Giants, NBA Warriors and NFL 49er's aren't far away. Sacramento offers an affluent liberal arts community with Broadway, Mondavi Center, Crocker Museum and summer musical theater to name a few.
Hybrid Work
This position will be required to work onsite one or more days a week on a regular basis; sometimes more or less, depending on the work and, at any of our SMUD locations. SMUD takes pride in powering the Sacramento region community where we live and work. We value the strong working relationships we develop with our colleagues. Our approach to remote work will continue to evolve. Please be aware that should SMUD’s business needs change, emergencies occur, or various other reasons arise, you may be required to report onsite on a part-time or full-time basis.
CalPERS
SMUD is a CalPERS agency. As a member of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS), SMUD offers eligible employees access to a defined benefit pension plan along with other valuable retirement and health benefits. This program helps provide financial security both during your career and after retirement. To learn more about CalPERS and the benefits it offers, please visit www.calpers.ca.gov.