Principal Electrical Engineer | Substation Operations, Standards & Field Engineering

Job Description

Principal Work Methods & Technical Standards Specialist | Substation Systems (High Voltage)
Location: Oakland, CA (Hybrid – East Bay region)
Type: Full-time | Manager / Principal Level
About the Role
A leading energy utility is seeking a Principal-level technical expert to provide field leadership, engineering support, and procedural governance across high-voltage substation maintenance and construction activities.
This role functions as a subject matter expert (SME) and technical authority, partnering with engineering, operations, and field teams to improve safety, reliability, compliance, and operational efficiency across the electric transmission and distribution system.
You will play a key role in shaping technical standards, supporting field execution, leading investigations, and driving continuous improvement across complex substation systems (up to 525kV).
What You’ll Do
Technical Leadership & Field Support
Provide senior technical guidance to field maintenance and construction teams
Support commissioning, troubleshooting, and resolution of complex substation equipment issues
Serve as SME for high-voltage systems (4kV–525kV), including breakers, transformers, switchgear, and GIS equipment
Support emergency response and large-scale system events as needed
Work Methods, Standards & Documentation
Develop, review, and maintain technical standards, manuals, bulletins, and job aids
Ensure alignment with industry and regulatory standards (IEEE, CIGRE, NETA)
Act as document steward for critical procedural and compliance documentation
Improve field work methods and procedural adherence across teams
Quality, Compliance & Investigations
Lead or support equipment failure investigations and root cause analysis
Conduct QC/QA audits, including vendor and factory assessments
Review diagnostic data (e.g., Doble testing, SF6 sampling, dissolved gas analysis)
Support corrective action development and implementation
Training & Capability Building
Develop and deliver technical training materials and field-based instruction
Mentor and coach field personnel to improve technical capability and safety performance
Support enterprise training programmes and knowledge-sharing initiatives
Strategic & Continuous Improvement Work
Lead or contribute to enterprise-wide substation improvement initiatives
Support implementation of monitoring systems and field technology upgrades
Identify opportunities to improve safety, reliability, and operational performance
Partner cross-functionally to drive long-term engineering and operational improvements
What You Bring
Required Experience
10+ years of relevant technical experience in electrical utility, substation, or high-voltage environments
Hands-on experience with substation equipment testing, commissioning, or troubleshooting
Strong understanding of distribution or transmission systems and operational procedures
Experience with technical documentation, procedures, or engineering standards
Journeyman certification or equivalent technical qualification
Preferred Experience
Certified Journeyman Electrician or Electrical Technician/Tester
Experience with high-voltage substation equipment (breakers, transformers, GIS, LTCs)
NETA certification (Level 2+ preferred)
Experience with Doble testing, power factor analysis, SF6 sampling, or DGA
Technical writing or standards governance experience
Electrical Engineering degree or related discipline
Why This Role Matters
Direct impact on grid safety, reliability, and performance
Senior technical authority role with enterprise-wide influence
Opportunity to shape engineering standards and field practices
Exposure to cutting-edge substation monitoring and diagnostic technologies
Critical role supporting energy infrastructure resilience and modernization