Associate Electrical Engineer (Substation, Protection, Automation & SCADA)

Salary : $121,808.00 - $152,260.00 Annually
Location : City of Pasadena, CA
Job Type: 2025 - REGULAR FULLTIME 40+ HRS A WK
Job Number: 26-123
Department: Water & Power
Division: Power Delivery
Opening Date: 02/26/2026

The Pasadena Water & Power Department is seeking a qualified Associate Electrical Engineer to join the Substation, Protection, Automation, and SCADA Engineering Section within its Power Delivery Division. This role is part of a dynamic and dedicated team responsible for supporting and enhancing the utility's power delivery systems.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate for the Associate Electrical Engineer position performs journey-level and, at times, supervisory work. This role requires possession of a valid Engineer-in-Training (EIT) Certificate and involves managing assigned electrical system capital improvement projects, including design, construction, and maintenance activities.

The incumbent performs a range of professional engineering duties-from routine to complex-that require specialized training and experience. Responsibilities may also include overseeing and directing the work of assigned technical staff. Assignments are project-based and require sound judgment, initiative, and adherence to established department policies and procedures.

Please note : This recruitment is open on a continuous basis and may close at any time. First consideration will be given to applications received by March 26, 2026. Apply today!

Essential Functions
The major responsibilities of this position are listed below. For more detailed information, please review the Associate Electrical Engineer

• Participates in Requests for Proposals and Bids for substation design and/or construction projects, including bid evaluations, selection of successful bidders and preparation of agenda reports, presentations, and other materials for approval; reviews contract documents; supports administration of contracts including review of change orders and amendments to agreements; prepares or reviews regular project status reports to department management; participate in resolving questions/issues from construction inspectors and field staff; and ensures accurate documentation of as-built facilities and systems.
• Perform substation protection, planning, and studies; utilizes electrical system engineering software and tools to evaluate substation and transmission system conditions and recommends improvement plans; conducts long range planning studies; analyzes protection system coordination, analyzes electrical outages and recommends mitigating actions to improve system reliability, operation, and sustainability.
• Participates in development and management of substation capital improvement program including development of economical, prioritized design projects to address system upgrades and improvements, major system maintenance and new regulatory compliance requirements; determines the technical and economic feasibility of projects; directs the development of engineering designs, plans, specifications and estimates for substation capital improvement projects; manages project cost estimates, and budgets.
• Perform complex substation protection, control, automation, and communication designs including, but not limited to equipment installations/replacements and capital improvement projects featuring engineering construction drawings, detailed electrical schematics and wiring diagrams, equipment bills of material, cable schedules, control logic, automation maps, substation concentrator programming, field testing, commissioning, and interface to SCADA system.
• May schedule, supervise and evaluate the work of staff; develop unit work plans to achieve assigned objectives; may participate in interviewing and selecting new engineering staff.
• Trains subordinates in a wide variety of tasks.
• Prepares a variety of correspondence and reports on technical engineering issues. Regular attendance is an essential function of this classification.

Qualification Guidelines
COMPETENCIES

The following list represents the core competencies needed for success in this position.

• Attention to Detail - Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products.
• Oral Communication - Engaging effectively in dialogue.
• Writing - Communicating effectively in writing.
• Relationship Building - Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships.
• Project Management - Ensuring that projects are on time, on budget, and achieve their objectives.
• Teamwork -Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals.
• Analyzing & Interpreting Data - Drawing meaning and conclusions from quantitative or qualitative data.
• Using Technology - Working with electronic hardware and software applications.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in electrical engineering or a related engineering discipline AND
• At least (2) two years of progressively responsible electrical engineering experience at the level of Assistant Electrical Engineer; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• An Engineer-in-Training certificate issued by the California State Licensing Board
  • Proof of required Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certificate issued by the California State Licensing Board must be attached to the application at the time of submission.

SELECTION PROCESS

Applicants who appear best qualified based on their application submitted will be invited to any combination of training and experience evaluation, structure panel interview, and department-level interviews and may be required to complete a brief soft-skills assessment during the selection process. The candidate assessment provides insight into core interpersonal skills, behavioral traits, and preferred work environment-helping us support your success in the role.

VACANCY INFORMATION

There is currently one vacancy in the Power Delivery- Engineering division of the


The resulting eligibility list from this recruitment may be used to fill this vacancy and similar vacancies in the future.

Probationary work test period is one year.

Special Requirements


A valid California Class C driver's license and the ability to maintain insurability under the City's vehicle insurance program.


An Engineer-in-Training certificate issued by the California State Licensing Board.
The City of Pasadena contracts with the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) to manage our defined benefits program for eligible employees. CalPERS manages the pension and health benefits to more than 1.6 million public employees, retirees, and their families and more than 3,000 employers.
Effective January 1, 2013, new members to CalPERS will be subject to the provisions of the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) and will receive the 2% @ 62 benefit formula (if a miscellaneous employee) and 2.7% at 57 benefit formula (if a safety employee).
Employees who are deemed "Classic" members of CalPERS or a reciprocal system such as the Los Angeles County Employees' Retirement System (LACERA) or Los Angeles City Employees Retirement System (LACERS) will receive the 2.5% @ 55 benefit formula (if a miscellaneous employee) or 3% at 55 benefit formula (if a safety employee). A CalPERS "Classic" member is a member who previously worked for a California public agency and meets the following criteria:

1. First established CalPERS membership or membership in a CalPERS reciprocal agency prior to January 1, 2013,
2. And is hired by the City of Pasadena after a break in service of less than six months
3. And did not have concurrent (overlapping) service with the other agency.

01


Do you possess a degree from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in electrical engineering or a related engineering discipline?

• Yes
• No

02


Do you possess an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certificate issued by the California State Licensing Board? If "Yes", please ensure that a copy of your EIT certificate is attached to the application at the time of submission.

• Yes
• No

03


Select the option that best describes your years of progressively responsible electric substation engineering experience at entry level (Assistant level) or higher.

• No experience
• At least 1 year
• At least 2 years
• At least 3 years
• More than 4 years

04


Do you have experience coordinating and setting substation protection relays? If yes, briefly describe your specific role in project, types of devices relays coordinated, and software utilized. If no, please indicate "N/A".
05


Do you have experience with capital improvement upgrades of medium voltage substations? If yes, briefly describe your specific role in project, voltage ratings of substations, capacity rating of transformers, types of circuit breakers, and protection relays utilized. If no, please indicate "N/A".
06


Do you have experience creating engineering construction three-lines, schematics, bills of materials, cable schedules, and wiring diagram drawings for substation upgrades? If yes, briefly describe your role in project, software utilized, involvement during construction phase, and how as-built drawings were captured. If no, please indicate "N/A".
Required Question