Electrical Engineer, Entry

About the Role

SMUD is seeking an Entry-Level Electrical Engineer to join the Distributed Energy Services team. This role is essential for integrating new technologies, ensuring power quality, system protection, and overall grid reliability. The position focuses on supporting the safe, reliable, and efficient integration of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) across the distribution system, with a primary focus on EV infrastructure deployment. Future projects may include supporting other DER technologies such as solar, battery storage, microgrids, and bidirectional EV charging.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in the modeling and analysis of EV infrastructure, distributed solar, battery storage, V2G/V2B, flexible load programs, and DER impacts on the grid.
• Support feeder and substation models, basic simulations, and hosting capacity assessments under guidance.
• Compile data and assist in the analysis for system planning related to EV adoption and DER growth.
• Support site assessments, equipment sizing, and service upgrade analysis for EV charging installations.
• Assist with documentation preparation, interconnection reviews, and commissioning procedures.
• Assist with DER system interconnection applications, including data gathering, basic impact analysis, and equipment rating reviews.
• Assist in the implementation and analysis of managed charging, demand response, and flexible load programs.
• Help maintain engineering standards and technical requirements.
• Assist in drafting engineering documents for EV and DER integration under the direction of experienced engineers.
• Support technical tasks for EV and DER installations, including feasibility studies, design review, field verification, testing, and commissioning.
• Support safety and reliability reviews for EV charging and DER installations and communicate findings.
• Assist in developing technical reports, studies, specifications, and as-built documentation.
• Support maintaining accurate distribution models and interconnection/load data.
• Perform other related duties as needed; schedules, hours, and locations may fluctuate based on business needs.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Bachelor’s degree with major coursework in electrical engineering from an accredited college or university.
• One or more (1+) year of progressively responsible relevant work experience in the design, construction, and/or maintenance of electrical systems for electric utility assets, or six or more (6+) months relevant SMUD internship experience.
• Basic electrical theory and electrical engineering design fundamentals.
• Familiarity with 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.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations governing electrical codes and standards.
• Proficiency with office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
• Strong understanding of English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Skills

• Ability to utilize a personal computer and/or computer terminal, systems, and software relevant to the job.
• Ability to perform routine and standard relay coordination studies.
• Ability to learn to prepare technical specifications.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering documents and drawings.
• Ability to learn to compile and prepare technical, statistical, and/or analytical reports and presentations.
• Ability to learn to interpret and apply applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing internally/externally.
• Ability to 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 and regulations and contribute to developing technical guidelines.