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San Jose, California, United States
Onsite
Role Overview
The SME Electrical Engineer provides advanced technical leadership for the planning, design, analysis, and field execution of medium‑ and low‑voltage power distribution systems, with a strong emphasis on underground utility infrastructure. This role serves as the organization’s top technical authority, guiding engineering teams, supporting field operations, and ensuring compliance with industry standards, safety requirements, and project objectives.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the engineering design and review of underground power distribution systems, including duct banks, manholes, vaults, cable systems, grounding, and protective devices.
Serve as the primary technical expert for utility coordination, system modeling, load studies, and reliability improvements.
Provide field engineering support during construction, commissioning, troubleshooting, and energization of electrical distribution equipment.
Develop and validate engineering calculations, specifications, drawings, and technical reports.
Oversee and mentor junior and mid‑level engineers; provide technical training across project teams.
Interface with utilities, municipalities, contractors, and regulatory agencies to resolve complex technical issues.
Conduct site assessments, field investigations, and constructability reviews for underground utility installations.
Ensure all designs comply with NEC, NESC, IEEE, NFPA, and utility-specific standards.
Lead root‑cause analyses for equipment failures, outages, or construction issues.
Support project managers with scope development, risk identification, cost estimating, and schedule planning.
Review contractor submittals, RFIs, and change orders for technical accuracy and alignment with project requirements.
Champion safety best practices and ensure field activities adhere to electrical safety protocols.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering; Master’s preferred.
15+ years of progressive experience in electrical engineering with a focus on power distribution and underground utilities.
Extensive field experience, including construction oversight, equipment installation, testing, and commissioning.
Deep knowledge of medium‑voltage distribution (5kV–35kV), underground cable systems, switchgear, transformers, and protective relaying.
Proven ability to interpret and develop engineering drawings, one‑lines, schematics, and civil/utility plans.
Strong understanding of utility coordination, permitting, and right‑of‑way processes.
Professional Engineer (PE) license strongly preferred.
Proficiency with engineering software such as ETAP, SKM, CYME, or similar tools.
Excellent communication skills and ability to lead multidisciplinary teams.
Preferred Experience
Experience working with public utilities, EPC firms, or large infrastructure programs.
Background in urban underground utility corridors or campus‑style distribution networks.
Familiarity with trenchless installation methods (HDD, microtunneling).
Experience developing standards, templates, and best‑practice guidelines for electrical infrastructure projects.
Core Competencies
Technical leadership and decision‑making
Field problem‑solving and troubleshooting
Risk assessment and mitigation
Stakeholder communication and coordination
Quality assurance and attention to detail
Compensation Details:
$155,000 -$175,000
The compensation range or hourly rate listed for this position is provided as a good-faith estimate of what the company intends to offer for this role at the time this posting was issued. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as job responsibilities, education, experience, skills, internal equity, market data, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and relevant laws.
Benefits Overview:
Our health and welfare benefits are designed to support you and your priorities. Offerings include:
Health, dental, and vision insurance
Paid time off and holidays
Retirement benefits (including 401(k) matching)
Educational reimbursement
Parental leave
Employee stock purchase plan
Tax-saving options
Disability and life insurance
Pet insurance
Note: Benefits may vary based on employment type, location, and applicable agreements. Positions governed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act (SCA), or other employment contracts may include different provisions/benefits.
Original Posting:
05/08/2026 - Until FilledAmentum anticipates this job requisition will remain open for at least three days, with a closing date no earlier than three days after the original posting. This timeline may change based on business needs.
Amentum is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our hiring practices provide equal opportunity for employment without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), age, ancestry, United States military or veteran status, color, religion, creed, marital or domestic partner status, medical condition, genetic information, national origin, citizenship status, low-income status, or mental or physical disability so long as the essential functions of the job can be performed with or without reasonable accommodation, or any other protected category under federal, state, or local law. Learn more about your rights under Federal laws and supplemental language at Labor Laws Posters.