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Underground Transmission Design Engineer
- Location
- Job type Contract
- Salary Market related
- Discipline Power Generation and Distribution
- Reference JOB-30448
Location: San Jose, Sacramento, or Oakland, CA
Must either be local or fully committed to relocation
Relocation package for non-locals only for first 30 days
Type of Employment: 12 months (contract, possibility of extension)
Vacancies: 8-10
Role & Responsibilities:
- Manage large, highly complex underground transmission and substation projects, performing detailed engineering analyses and developing conceptual and detailed designs.
- Provide innovative solutions for complex technical issues related to underground transmission systems.
- Lead root cause analyses and make recommendations for resolution of local and system-wide technical issues.
- Serve as company representative, technical witness, and liaison with external stakeholders and regulatory bodies.
- Develop and implement technical policies, procedures, and standards, including construction documents and specifications.
- Support integration of underground cable systems with substations, including GIS and AIS equipment, grounding systems, and protection/control coordination.
- Mentor and provide technical leadership to engineering staff, fostering skill development and knowledge transfer.
- Coordinate closely with Asset Management, Standards, and Maintenance teams to ensure continuity across lifecycle phases.
Qualifications / Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited U.S. or international institution.
- Current California Professional Engineer (PE) license required; consideration may be given to candidates with out-of-state licensure and ability to obtain CA PE within 6 months.
- 13+ years experience in engineering and design of underground transmission and substation systems in electric utility settings.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple large-scale underground transmission projects independently.
- Experience leading and mentoring engineering teams and overseeing design execution.
- Proven ability to develop cost-effective engineering solutions and negotiate with internal and external stakeholders.
- Expertise in underground transmission cable systems including:
- Cable System Design
- Pipe-type and XLPE cable systems
- Systems rated 60kV, 115kV, 230kV and above
- Submarine cable systems and cathodic protection
- Sheath bonding systems
- Sequencing impedances of cable systems
- Pulling tension and ampacity calculations
- Construction & Material Coordination
- Resolution of construction conflicts with existing infrastructure
- Construction and material specifications
- Issuance of construction drawings and contract coordination
- Utility Coordination & Maintenance
- Emergency cable repair planning and execution
- Support to maintenance operations
- Coordination with Asset Management and Standards organizations
- Active participation in industry associations
- Substation Interface
- Integration with GIS and AIS switchgear
- Grounding systems design
- Protection and control coordination