Principal Instrument & Controls Engineer

This position will be posted until a sufficient quantity of qualified applicants are received therefore this posting may close with or without notice anytime after 4/23/2024 so candidates are encouraged to apply early.

SMUD is a leader in clean energy and carbon reduction. This is an exciting time to join SMUD as a key member of the engineering team in our Power Generation Department helping maintain, modernize, and transform our existing generation fleet while exploring new technology and building new assets that will help us reach our ambitious goal of zero carbon emissions in our power supply by 2030 – the most ambitious goal of any large utility in the United States.

Power Generation is seeking a Principal Instrument & Controls Engineer with strong project management and leadership skills. This position will report to the Engineering Manager and will supervise staff engineers focusing on design, engineering, and project management for major plant modifications, equipment or facilities testing, repairs and installations for SMUD’s various power generation assets, related equipment, and new zero carbon energy solutions (assets include hydroelectric, thermal, wind, photovoltaic, battery storage, and a natural gas pipeline).

Purpose
Performs and guides the performance of instrument and controls (I&C) design engineering and project management for SMUD’s various power generation assets and related equipment (which includes hydroelectric, thermal, photovoltaic, battery storage, wind and a natural gas pipeline); supervises staff providing engineering project management for major plant modifications, equipment or facilities testing, repairs and installations to ensure generation operations for SMUD are reliable, efficient, and comply with regulatory requirements and restrictions.

Nature and Scope
Serves as a technical or functional expert or consultant providing expertise and/or direction in one or more areas of a professional discipline and assumes responsibility for resolving complex problems and overseeing complex projects. May also serve in a lead role and assist in planning, coordinating, prioritizing, monitoring, and evaluating the work results in assigned area and in selecting, training, motivating, evaluating and developing lower-level personnel.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Serves as the lead I&C engineer for the Power Generation department with responsibility for directing the design effort for major modifications to I&C aspects of SMUD’s power generation assets and related support facilities, construction and/or modification/upgrade projects; performs and oversees detailed design and evaluation; specifies designs that are cost effective, utilizing efficient state-of-the-art equipment and fabrication or construction processes, and that improve system efficiency and reliability; ensures compatibility or minimization of impact of designs on existing plant equipment and asset availability; provides technical expertise to SMUD’s asset managers and management and provides project management and guidance to engineering and field staff; provides oversight and guidance during construction.
• Plans, coordinates, prioritizes, monitors, and guides staff in work activities to meet established task objectives, goals and schedules and deadlines by: following established policies and precedents; communicating with team members and incorporating their input to processes and techniques; providing staff training; promoting staff safety and a safe work environment; assisting in selecting and orienting new personnel; assisting in evaluating work performance results; and participating as a team member in accomplishing objectives.
• Provides technical guidance to subordinates, specialists, and technicians in the performance of technical work; guides and advises engineering and technical personnel to assure compliance with internal procedures and regulatory requirements.
  Oversees or supervises coordination efforts with Supply Chain, Legal, asset managers, other required SMUD departments and vendor representatives for the procurement of equipment, parts, and services; performs or supervises preparation of bid proposals, including technical and other related bid package specifications; evaluates vendor bids and makes recommendation for contract awards; provides contract administration for outsourced materials and services; develops plans for installation of this equipment or facilities by outside contractors.
• Develops and provides or directs preparation of engineering plans and reports for modification and construction work for power generation projects by: developing work plans and project schedules; describing modifications and related design criteria; preparing design basis reports and safety analysis reports; documenting equipment and construction specifications; ensuring compatibility or minimizing impact of designs on existing plant equipment; overseeing preparation of engineering drawings; and providing dispositions to conformance reports. Provides expertise and written documentation associated with comprehensive design packages and engineering control to comply with SMUD requirements and governmental regulations.
  Develops project controls, cost estimates and schedules for major l&C projects required for operational or regulatory compliance.
• Coordinates with various departments for support in accomplishing I&C projects.
  Conducts business planning to provide inputs and analyses for SMUD economic evaluation of proposed projects.
• Performs interpretation, review and coordination actions to achieve conformance, audit readiness and compliance with governmental regulations by: reviewing and approving inspection data reports, drawings and drawing revisions and other documentation required to manage power generation projects; maintaining liaison with SMUD construction, quality control and quality assurance units to minimize non-conforming conditions and conflicts; and providing proper interpretation and incorporation of industry codes and standards in design-related activities.
• Reviews and approves engineering, design, and inspection documents to facilitate review and audit of power generation projects and compliance with regulatory agencies.
• Develops and implements reasonable human factors engineering fundamentals in l&C designs and operational procedures and guidelines; provides reasonable human factors engineering designs and procedures to reduce risk of operational errors.
• Plans, coordinates, prioritizes, monitors, guides, reviews, and conducts work activities associated with department internal/external projects in accordance with established task objectives and schedule as outlined in the project plan/contract.
• Assists in administering the department budget by participating in planning, monitoring and revising schedules, work plans, expenditures, and assignments.
  Performs other related duties as needed to include working outside of typical business hours when necessary.

Required Education

• BS degree from an accredited college or university majoring in electrical or mechanical engineering or related field.

Required Experience Qualifications

• Seven (7) to ten (10) years of progressively responsible relevant work experience in electrical design, construction or operation of facilities.

Knowledge Of
Plant instrumentation and controls including electronic, pneumatic, hydraulic and digital computer systems; Federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations governing engineering and operations and their impact on power generation projects; Plant systems, operating procedures, design control procedures and methods; Fundamentals and practices of human factors design criteria; Modicon, Wonderware, GE Mark VIe, AVEVA and Interlution and other control platforms for supervisory control, HMI, MES, and IIoT; Fundamentals and practices for contract management; Procedures and practices for monitoring and managing projects;
Safety policies, practices and procedures relevant to the job; English grammar, punctuation and vocabulary standards.

Skills To
Perform PLC/WTP and WWTP software programming and other systems and software relevant to the job; Communicate effectively orally and in writing internally/externally; Interpret, clarify, understand and evaluate verbal/written information and ideas; Establish and maintain effective working relationships internally/externally; Plan, organize, prioritize and schedule projects; Monitor and manage projects and assigned project personnel and groups;
Examine procedures/systems and develop/implement operational improvements; Interpret, evaluate and apply pertinent policies, procedures, regulations and requirements.

• Desirable Qualifications
• Registered Professional Engineer in the State of California.
• Experience with utility scale power generation plants and appurtenances, including wind, solar, hydroelectric, thermal, and gas pipeline.
• Experience with inverter-based resources, SCADA and power conditioning systems.
• Extensive experience with DCS and PLC based control systems, logic diagrams, control valve sizing, instrumentation specification, instrumentation installation details, P&IDs, and motor control schematics.
• Experience with specification writing, studies, scheduling, budgeting, guiding projects, mentoring junior staff, conducting QA/QC reviews, and cost estimating.
• Significant experience in developing requests for proposals (RFPs) in support of capital projects.
• Significant project management work experience with power plant systems.
  Knowledge of electrical systems.

Physical Requirements
Applicants must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) - Who We Are 
As the nation's sixth-largest community-owned electric service provider, we're proud of our reputation as one of the best places to work in Sacramento. Our employees tell us in our engagement surveys they're "Happy, satisfied and engaged" which helps create a workplace that best serves our customers. Sacramento was named as the 2nd happiest place to work in America by Forbes Magazine. Lake Tahoe, San Francisco and the world-renowned Napa Valley are within easy driving distance of our locations.

California Equal Pay Act 
Diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) are a part of who we are and how we do things. Supporting efforts that promote pay equality is part of that. Salary placement for the selected candidate will be determined in alignment with the California Equal Pay Act or the applicable MOU. Determination for salary placement of internal candidates will be made without respect to current classification or compensation and will be based upon the candidate's qualifications as compared to those performing substantially similar work. In the event there is a guaranteed pay progression outlined in an applicable MOU, the MOU takes precedence.

Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
SMUD respects, values and celebrates the unique attributes, characteristics and perspectives that make each person who they are. Diversity and inclusion are guiding principles to deliver a culture that reflects the broader values of the community and our customers. Our Board's policy for Employee Relation sets our commitment to developing and maintaining a high quality, inclusive workplace that engages and inspires employees to commit to SMUD's purpose, vision and values.

Why Sacramento, California? 
The capitol of California, Sacramento is the state's sixth-largest city, and the 35th largest in the U.S. Local universities include California State University, University of the Pacific's McGeorge School of Law, and the University of California, Davis and several competitive community colleges. The UC Davis Medical Center, a world-renowned research hospital, is one of more than a dozen hospitals and shared services centers in the Sacramento region. Part of the agriculturally rich Central Valley, Sacramento is at the forefront of the farm-to-fork food movement. Northern California is home to some of the country's top technology companies, including Google and LinkedIn, and a multitude of startups in many industries. Sacramento is home to the NBA Kings, the River Cats (AAA baseball), the Republic FC (soccer) and the San Francisco Giants, NBA Warriors and NFL 49ers aren't far away. Sacramento offers an affluent liberal arts community with Broadway, Mondavi Center, Crocker Museum and summer musical theater to name a few.

Hybrid Work 

This position may be eligible for SMUD's hybrid (office/home) work employee benefit, the schedule of which will be determined by the successful candidate and the Hiring Manager. SMUD takes pride in powering the Sacramento region community where we live and work. We value the strong working relationships we develop with our colleagues. Our approach to hybrid work will continue to evolve. Please be aware that should SMUD’s business needs change, emergencies occur, or various other reasons arise, you may be required to report onsite on a part-time or full-time basis.

We recommend you apply through our  SMUD Careers page to be considered for this position. Please create a SMUD Candidate account, upload your resume and cover letter.