Principal Electrical Engineer (Electrical Service Planning) Salary $161,092.00 - $201,364.00 Annually
Location: City of Pasadena, CA
Job Type: 2025 - REGULAR FULLTIME 40+ HRS A WK
Job Number: 26-125
Department: Water & Power Division
Power Delivery
Opening Date: 03/05/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Description The City of Pasadena Water & Power Department is seeking a highly qualified Principal Electrical Engineer to lead the Electrical Service Planning Section within the Power Delivery Division. This is a senior-level management position in the electrical engineering series responsible for the interconnection between the City's electric system and its customers. The selected candidate will oversee a team of professional and technical staff dedicated to providing seamless utility integration for residential and commercial developments.
Key Responsibilities Lead the Service Planning Team: Manage the section responsible for the intake, engineering review, and approval of all new and upgraded electrical services.
Customer Advocacy: Act as the primary engineering liaison for developers, contractors, and business owners to ensure project requirements are met with clarity and efficiency.
Modern Infrastructure Integration: Oversee the technical review and grid integration of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), including solar PV systems, Energy Storage Systems (ESS), and large-scale EV charging networks.
Project Oversight: Manage the design and construction of customer-driven capital improvement projects and utility-side infrastructure upgrades required to support growth.
Strategic Planning: Exercise independent judgment in prioritizing service requests to align with City development goals and departmental resource availability.
Customer & Infrastructure Focus This role is highly focused on and plays a key part in supporting new developments and electric utility service upgrades. The Principal Electrical Engineer will:
Thoroughly navigate service planning challenges for residential and commercial projects.
Provide expert guidance on the installation and interconnection of Energy Storage Systems (ESS) and Solar/Renewable energy applications.
Lead the deployment and maintenance of the City's Electric Vehicle (EV) infrastructure by streamlining the engineering review process for charging stations.
Ensure customer service standards are met through proactive communication and timely project turnarounds.
Ideal Candidate The ideal candidate is a service-oriented engineering leader who combines deep technical expertise with a proactive, solution-focused mindset. This individual excels at translating complex engineering requirements into clear, actionable guidance for non-technical customers and stakeholders. They bring extensive knowledge of electrical distribution systems, with particular expertise in interconnection standards for solar, energy storage systems (ESS), and electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). Proven experience leading teams in fast-paced environments is essential, with the ability to balance customer-driven timelines and evolving demands while maintaining grid reliability. Above all, the candidate demonstrates professionalism, integrity, and a strong commitment to fostering a collaborative team culture while representing the city with excellence.
Qualification Guidelines COMPETENCIES
• Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products.
• Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability.
• Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue.
• Customer Focus: Attending to the needs and expectations of customers.
• Project Management: Ensuring that projects are on time, on-budget, and achieve their objectives.
• Leadership: Guiding and encouraging others to accomplish a common goal.
• Managing Performance: Ensuring superior individual and group performance.
• Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job.
Education and Experience Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in electrical engineering or a related engineering discipline AND At least eight (8) years of progressively responsible electrical engineering experience, including three (3) years at the level of the Citys Electrical Engineer class; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Progressively responsible Electrical Construction experience is highly preferred.
Selection Process The selection process will consist of a training and experience evaluation, interview panel, department-level interviews and may be required to complete a brief soft-skills assessment during the selection process. The candidate assessment provides insight into core interpersonal skills, behavioral traits, and preferred work environment-helping us support your success in the role.
Vacancy Information There is currently (1) one vacancy in the Power Delivery division of the Water and Power Department.
The resulting eligibility list from this recruitment may be used to fill this vacancy and similar vacancies in the future.
Probationary work period is (1) one year.
Special Requirements A valid California Class C drivers license and the ability to maintain insurability under the Citys vehicle insurance program.
A certificate of registration as a Professional Electrical Engineer issued by the California State Licensing Board.
Professional Electrical Engineer certificate from another state, or Canada, that can be reciprocated within six months is also acceptable.
Effective January 1, 2013, new members to CalPERS or an agency with CALPERS reciprocity or who have more than a six month break in service between employment in a CalPERS (or reciprocal) agency will be subject to the provisions of the Public Employees Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) and will receive the 2% @ 62 benefit formula.
Employees who are current members of CalPERS or an agency with CalPERS reciprocity, or who have less than a six month break in service between employment in a CalPERS (or reciprocal) agency and employment with the City will be enrolled in the 2.5% @ 55 benefit formula.
All employees are required to pay the full employee contribution to CalPERS.
Click link below to review the Citys excellent benefits package https://ww5.cityofpasadena.net/human-resources/employee-benefits/
The City is closed on alternate Fridays and most staff observe a 9/80 work schedule.