Power Generation Project Engineer, Senior (Mechanical/Electrical)

Company: Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Location: Chico
Posted on: May 5, 2025

Job Description:

Requisition ID# 164040Job Category: Power Generation; Engineering / ScienceJob Level: Individual ContributorBusiness Unit: Operations - OtherWork Type: HybridJob Location: ChicoDepartment OverviewPower Generation operates and maintains PG&E's hydroelectric, fossil, solar generation, and battery storage facilities, providing approximately 5,300 megawatts of generating capacity for our customers. Our nearly 900 coworkers are dedicated to delivering safe, reliable, and cost-effective generation to California in an environmentally responsible manner. Our hydro facilities include 62 conventional hydro powerhouses, a pumped-storage facility, 98 reservoirs, 168 dams and more than 200 miles of canals and flumes, among other water conveyances. Natural gas-fired plants in operation are Humboldt Bay Generating Station in Eureka; Colusa Generating Station in Colusa County and Gateway Generating Station in Antioch. Several utility-scale solar generation plants also are operated and maintained, as well as PG&E's successful entry into battery energy storage, our Elkhorn Battery facility at Moss Landing in Monterey County.
The Power Generation Asset Management Department works to attain the optimum balance of asset risk, performance, and cost through a clear understanding of asset conditions for risk-informed, data-driven decision-making. These asset management objectives are achieved through systematic risk assessment, long-term planning, and optimizing lifecycle value of assets by improving maintenance, investment, and disposition strategies.
Position SummaryThis is an ESC represented exempt classification currently subject to collective bargaining.
This is a senior-level project engineer job that requires mastery of the Journey Project Engineer skills and duties and provides program management, asset management, powerhouse risk analysis, and technical support to O&M staff for a wide range of moderately complex issues and advising on multiple medium to large capital and expense improvements to power generation and infrastructure facilities. The position requires a comprehensive knowledge of job functions and proficiency in applying sound engineering and program management principals; recognition as a professionally licensed engineer; a working knowledge of industry practices, standards, and equipment; ability to develop and implement all aspects of multiple assigned programs; use of independent judgment; enhanced verbal and written communication skills; and ability to work with minimal supervision. Job duties will vary by assignment. Responsibilities may include Privileged and Confidential work.
Manages multiple moderately complex issues and programs and resolves problems of moderate scope. Assignments can require standard solutions but may include a moderate level of innovation and foresight. Under limited general direction, independently plans work to meet assigned objectives.
External contacts primarily include advising scope on project-related work with regulatory agencies, providing information, conducting limited discussions. Internal contacts are primarily with Power Gen personnel, including O&M, Business and Project Planning, project execution members, and communication with director level leadership. May partner with internal or external stakeholders to solve problems or explore alternative solutions.
There will be approximately 30% travel expected for this position.
This position is hybrid, working from your remote office and assigned location based on business needs.
PG&E is providing the salary range that the company in good faith believes it might pay for this position at the time of the job posting. This compensation range is specific to the locality of the job. The actual salary paid to an individual will be based on multiple factors, including, but not limited to, specific skills, education, licenses or certifications, experience, market value, geographic location, collective bargaining agreements, and internal equity. Although we estimate the successful candidate hired into this role will be placed towards the middle or entry point of the range, the decision will be made on a case-by-case basis related to these factors.
A reasonable salary range is:
California Minimum: $153,828
California Maximum: $197,628
Job ResponsibilitiesPerforms functions of a Senior level Project Engineer, including more complex and higher profile programs. Jobs duties will vary by assignment. In addition, job duties include, but are not limited to:

• Program lead for various mechanical and/or electrical asset programs related to powerhouse equipment. Responsible for engagement with stakeholders and ensuring the strategic plans for these programs are aligned with Business Operational requirements as well as regulatory and compliance requirements. Responsible for developing and documenting strategic plans associated with the Powerhouse Asset Family within the Powerhouse Asset Management Plan.
• Responsible for investment strategies and technical scope requirement development for the purposes of long-term planning. Including investment strategies for major capital projects as well as maintenance and inspection activities.
• Leads powerhouse asset family on development and implementation of maintenance strategies, programmatic solutions, process improvements, regulatory relations, risk analysis for portfolio of powerhouses. Responsible for assisting in providing the strategic portfolio risk view to support long term portfolio management.
• Supports scope clarifications for project execution efforts for moderately complex generation projects that can be discipline specific, multi-discipline, or programmatic in nature.
• Provides broad and in-depth technical support to O&M as needed including incident investigation and development of corrective actions.
• Proactively controls scope, schedule, cost, and quality of Asset Management Systems and their programs.
• Provides leadership, coaching, technical direction, oversight and quality control for assigned programs and technical work done in discipline, knowledge transfer, and assistance to many technical and/or project execution employees and teams; most technical services often overlap with those provided to operations & maintenance.
• Performs and/or reviews engineering analyses and studies, reviews detail scopes, viable alternatives, conceptual designs, and recommended fixes to ensure safe/reliable operation of generation assets.
• Interprets and applies applicable codes and regulations.
• Approves and stamps technical specifications and standard design drawings.
• Works with supervisors and others to represent PG&E to internal and external organizations as required.
• Identifies gaps between current business practices and stated objectives and provides recommendations for process improvements to address gaps.
• Other job duties as assigned as related to Asset Engineering.QualificationsMinimum:
  A 4-year BS Degree in Engineering from an accredited curriculum in the US or the equivalent from outside the US is required. Current and active California PE license requiredMastery of the Associate and Journey level Project Engineer job duties and demonstrated knowledge, leadership, and ability to perform the job duties of the Senior level Project Engineer. Meets specific technical requirements gained through a minimum of eight years of cumulative experience in engineering, design, and construction (or water rights, as assigned); at least five of which must be in generation or heavy industry.
  Desired:

  • A MS Degree in Engineering or Business in addition to a BS degree in Engineering.
  • A diploma or certification in Asset Management.
  • Familiarity with ISO 55001 Asset Management standard and requirements.
  • Knowledge and experience in Hydro and mechanical equipment such as rotating equipment, turbines, valves, ASME pressure vessels and balance of plant systems and its designs.
  • Knowledge and experience in Hydropower and associated electrical equipment such as synchronous generators, exciters, power transformers, HV/MV breakers, arc flash, grounding, and balance of plant systems and its designs.
  • Understanding of asset planning, FMEA, equipment testing and maintenance, along with risk and condition assessment of equipment associated with the hydropower industry.
  • Leads the development and/or presentation of findings to both internal and external organizations, including regulatory bodies, contractors, outside vendors and senior leadership.
  • Able to stamp and/or certify engineering drawings and documents.
  • Has demonstrated a broad and in-depth knowledge of engineering and asset management concepts, principals, practices, and engineering requirements for generation assets; ability to advise on moderately complex design changes, project scopes, and project plans; and provide in-depth investigation & analysis support to O&M.
  • Has a working knowledge of power generation industry including understanding of design, construction, and/or operation of rotating machines, and experience interpreting applicable codes, standards, regulations, and practices.
  • Demonstrate informed judgment when making decisions and recommendations and use of technical & business judgment in applying engineering and program management principles and techniques to determine cost effective and practical solutions.
  • Track record of building consensus around moderately complex and controversial Asset Management & technical issues and successfully persuading others to act on agreements reached; able to build upon foundation of technical and business knowledge to shape the opinions of others.
  • Able to provide clear and effective technical direction and guidance to less experienced engineers, project managers, drafters, and analysts, and to provide training to these and other groups as needed.
  • Able to independently provide technical and/or program oversight and direction to consultants, suppliers, and construction firms to meet moderately complex program needs.
  • Track record of taking ownership of problems and their solutions.
  • Able to identify gaps between current business practices and stated objectives and provide recommendations for process improvements to address gaps.
  • Proactively evolves asset management, engineering and program management skills and knowledge through industry associations & conferences, technical workshops, trade publications, and additional formal education.
    

Keywords: Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Lincoln , Power Generation Project Engineer, Senior (Mechanical/Electrical), Professions , Chico, California