Electrical Engineer (Power Plant)

Electrical Engineer Position

The Pasadena Water & Power Department is looking for a skilled and experienced Electrical Engineer to join the Power Supply team and oversee projects at the Glenarm/Broadway Power Plant facility and participate in the operation and maintenance of the power generation facility. In this role, the successful candidate will manage and coordinate key projects and ensure the efficient operation and maintenance of electrical systems within the power plant. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a dynamic and impactful sector of the city's electrical utility.

The ideal candidate for the Electrical Engineer position is a licensed Professional Electrical Engineer with extensive experience in the design, operation, and maintenance of power generation facilities. This individual performs advanced, highly complex engineering work and provides supervisory-level leadership within a cross-functional team dedicated to the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the generation plant. The ideal candidate demonstrates strong independent judgment, initiative, and the ability to coordinate effectively with internal teams as well as external customers, contractors, consultants, and other agencies. A deep understanding of mechanical and thermodynamic principles is essential, along with the ability to manage both routine and complex electrical generation design tasks. The candidate should also be prepared to organize and present technical information in public settings when needed.

This recruitment is open on a continuous basis and may close at any time. First consideration will be given to applications received by December 4, 2025. Apply today!

Essential Functions

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

• Plans, assigns, schedules, supervises and evaluates the work of assigned staff; with staff, develops, implements and monitors work plans to design, implement and maintain power generation systems and equipment; plans and recommends engineering project budgets; approves expenditures in accordance with City procedures and monitors performance against project budgets; participates in developing, implementing and evaluating plans, processes and procedures to achieve established goals and objectives in accordance with department standards; prepares and maintains a variety of records and reports.
• Interviews and participates in selecting new engineering staff; supervises and evaluates assigned staff performance; establishes performance requirements and personal development targets; regularly monitors performance and provides training, coaching and mentoring for performance improvement; recommends performance recognition when warranted; with management concurrence, implements the progressive discipline process to address performance deficiencies, in accordance with City human resources policies and labor contract agreements.
• Oversees, evaluates and monitors assigned capital improvement projects for planning, design and construction, utilizing in-house staff or consulting engineering firms; prepares detailed project cost estimates, schedules and procedures; reviews and evaluates design drawings and specifications for technical accuracy and compliance with City standards; responds to requests for information and clarifies and interprets engineering issues, specifications, regulations, codes and requirements; drafts material and equipment specifications; prepares Requests for Proposal for design and/or construction projects, including participating in bid evaluations, selection of successful bidders and preparation of agenda reports and other materials for approval; reviews and approves contract documents; administers contracts including reviewing change orders and amendments to consulting and construction agreements; prepares and provides regular project status reports to department management; may seal final plans; addresses questions/issues regarding the project from construction inspectors and field staff during construction phase.
• Designs, prepares and reviews engineering drawings and construction packages for power supply projects, power generation, automation and electrical protection capital projects; conducts research, design and analysis; prepares schematic and wiring diagrams of protection, metering and switching devices; prepares calculations for generator protection system relay settings and voltage regulation problems; coordinates design and construction of projects with field personnel; prepares technical specifications for equipment, systems and services.
• Provides assistance with troubleshooting and ensures existing electrical equipment in the generation facility is maintained to preserve functionality and safety; recommends, procures and oversees the installation of replacement electrical equipment at the generation facility when necessary.
• Performs power system and protection modeling studies; implements and reviews the operation of control and protection measures and systems; programs relays and other intelligent electronic devices using various software applications; programs, tests and troubleshoots supervisory control system devices and system including communication, field instrumentation and other devices.
• Acts as a point of contact and works collaboratively with Power Distribution Engineering on capital improvement and maintenance projects.
• Ensures power generation systems are operated in compliance with all regulatory, safety and Cal-ISO requirements
• Prepares a variety of correspondence and detailed reports on technical engineering issues; may prepare City Council agenda items.
• Regular attendance is an essential function of this classification.

Qualification Guidelines

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

• Professional Integrity & Ethics - Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability.
• Presentation Skill - Formally delivering information to groups.
• Writing - Communicating effectively in writing.
• Relationship Building - Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships.
• Strategic Perspective - Evaluating immediate actions in context of achieving long range objectives.
• Teamwork - Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals.
• Mechanical Insight - Comprehending how mechanical, electrical, and structural systems operate and interact.
• Professional & Technical Expertise - Applying technical subject matter to the job.

Education and Experience

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in electrical engineering or a related engineering discipline AND
• Minimum (4) four years of progressively responsible electrical engineering experience at the level of Associate Electrical Engineer.
• A certificate of registration as a Professional Electrical Engineer issued by the California State Licensing Board is required.

Selection Process

Applicants who appear best qualified based on their application submitted will be invited to any combination of written, performance or oral appraisal to further evaluate their job-related experience, education, knowledge, skills and abilities.

Vacancy Information

There is currently (1) one vacancy in the Power Supply division of the Pasadena Water and Power Department. The resulting eligible list may be used to fill this vacancy and similar vacancies in the future.

This position does serve a one-year probationary period.

Special Requirements

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

A certificate of registration as a Professional Electrical Engineer issued by the California State Licensing Board is required.