Electrical Operations Engineer

JOB-10047970

Anticipated Start Date

November 16, 2026

Location

Houston, TX

Type of Employment

Contract Hire

Employer Info

Our client is a leading clean energy innovator focused on advancing geothermal technology to accelerate the global transition to sustainable energy. Backed by strong investor support and a multi-billion-dollar project pipeline, the company is developing groundbreaking enhanced geothermal systems to deliver reliable 24/7 carbon-free power. The organization brings together world-class engineers, researchers, and developers dedicated to shaping a more climate-friendly energy future.

The Electrical Operations Engineer serves as the technical authority for all electrical systems at a geothermal power generation facility, overseeing the reliability and integrity of medium- and high-voltage power systems, generation interconnection, protection and control infrastructure, and electrical safety programs. This role focuses on maintaining safe and reliable facility operations, troubleshooting electrical issues, implementing system improvements, and collaborating with operations, maintenance, engineering, and EHS teams to support continuous power generation.

Job Description

• Serve as the site technical authority for all electrical systems, including MV/HV distribution, ORC generator step-up transformers, switchgear, motor control centers (MCCs), variable frequency drives (VFDs), and auxiliary power systems.
• Monitor electrical system performance and develop data-driven reliability improvement programs targeting availability, efficiency, and power quality.
• Lead root cause analysis (RCA) and after-action reviews (AARs) for electrical failures, outages, and near-misses, and track corrective actions to closure.
• Work with maintenance to prioritize reliability upgrades, define preventive maintenance strategies, and develop maintenance procedures for critical electrical assets.
• Maintain accurate as-built single-line diagrams, electrical schematics, and equipment documentation.
• Own the site protection and control philosophy, including relay coordination, settings management, and protection scheme documentation for generation and distribution systems.
• Manage and maintain the grid interconnection agreement and SCADA/metering systems in coordination with the transmission owner and off-taker.
• Support commissioning, testing, and acceptance of new generation units, including relay testing, functional verification, and interconnection requirements.
• Serve as the primary technical interface with the utility, ISO, and off-takers on electrical and interconnection matters.
• Own and continuously improve the site electrical safety program in compliance with NFPA 70E, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.269, and applicable NEC and IEEE requirements.
• Maintain arc flash hazard analysis and labeling, and ensure equipment is appropriately rated and labeled for operational conditions.
• Develop, maintain, and enforce energized electrical work permitting, lockout/tagout (LOTO), and electrical safe work practices.
• Provide electrical safety training and technical mentorship to operations and maintenance personnel.
• Identify, scope, and develop small capital electrical improvement projects from concept through commissioning and handover.
• Prepare AFEs, project scopes, cost estimates, and schedules for management approval.
• Manage vendors, contractors, and internal stakeholders through project execution, ensuring delivery on time and within budget.
• Own and maintain the site electrical design basis, equipment specifications, and engineering standards.
• Support and review electrical scope within the MOC program, ensuring changes to electrical systems are properly evaluated and documented.
• Provide technical input during electrical equipment procurement and review contractor and vendor electrical deliverables.
• Support PSSR activities for new electrical systems and modifications prior to energization.
• Model and reinforce a safety-first culture across all engineering and field electrical activities.
• Actively participate in safety observations, incident investigations, and corrective action tracking, and champion proactive hazard identification and risk reduction in all electrical work planning.

Skills Required

• 5+ years of experience in electrical engineering roles at operating industrial, power generation, or utility facilities; operational experience is required, and pure design backgrounds will not be considered without significant field exposure
• Hands-on experience with MV/HV electrical systems, switchgear, transformers, MCCs, VFDs, and associated protection and control equipment
• Working knowledge of relay protection principles and experience managing protection settings and coordination studies
• Demonstrated experience owning or significantly contributing to an electrical safety program, including NFPA 70E compliance, arc flash analysis, and energized work permitting
• Experience developing and executing small capital projects, including scoping, cost estimation, and contractor management
• Strong technical writing and communication skills, with the ability to produce clear engineering documents and present findings to leadership and external stakeholders
• High ownership mindset with the ability to manage multiple workstreams independently in a fast-moving, resource-constrained environment
• Experience with utility or ISO interconnection requirements and SCADA/metering systems (strongly preferred)
• Experience with power generation facilities (geothermal, ORC, gas, solar+storage, or similar), though not required
• Professional Engineer (PE) license (Electrical) or active pursuit of one

Education/Training/Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering; related disciplines considered