Senior Electrical Engineer (PE) - Federal / DOD Projects

Senior Electrical Engineer (PE) - Technical Leadership | Complex Federal & Industrial Projects

We're partnering with a highly respected, design-focused engineering firm seeking a Senior Electrical Engineer (PE) to take on a true technical leadership role supporting complex federal, industrial, and infrastructure projects.

This is not a production-heavy position or a purely managerial role. You'll step into a "working leader" capacity-owning electrical system design decisions, mentoring junior engineers, and leading projects that require real engineering judgment and problem-solving at a systems level.

If you're looking for work that goes beyond repetitive commercial design and into technically challenging, high-impact projects, this is a strong opportunity to grow your influence and impact.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead electrical design efforts from concept through construction administration
• Make key system-level technical decisions impacting project delivery and performance
• Design and review electrical systems across a range of complex facilities
• Work on power distribution systems, including medium voltage (12kV+), transformers, switchgear, and utility coordination
• Mentor and guide junior engineers, ensuring strong design quality and decision-making
• Collaborate cross-functionally with architectural, mechanical, structural, and civil teams
• Support construction phase work including submittals, field coordination, and design adjustments

What Sets This Role Apart

• True ownership - you'll be trusted to lead electrical design decisions, not just execute tasks
• Project diversity - exposure to federal, industrial, and technically complex facilities
• Depth over repetition - work goes far beyond standard commercial or tenant improvement design
• Leadership track - opportunity to influence projects, mentor teams, and grow into long-term technical leadership

What We're Looking For

Required

• Active Professional Engineer (PE) license (must be able to stamp drawings)

• 10-20+ years of electrical engineering experience in a consulting environment

• Strong experience with:

• Power distribution systems

• Medium voltage (12kV+)

• Transformers, switchgear, and utility integration

• Proven ability to own projects and technical decisions independently

• Experience across multiple facility types (not limited to one niche)

• Ability to perform calculations, design systems, and guide technical outcomes

Preferred

• Experience with federal, military, or regulated project environments
• Background in industrial or complex facilities (labs, infrastructure, secure facilities, etc.)
• Exposure to campus-wide power distribution or substation design

Work Environment

• Based in Irvine, CA (onsite with flexibility after onboarding)
• Collaborative, team-oriented environment with high technical visibility
• Opportunity to work closely with Senior leadership and influence project outcomes

Compensation

• $150K - $190K+ depending on experience
• Flexible structure: contract-to-hire or direct hire for the right candidate
• Strong consideration for candidates bringing advanced technical depth or federal project experience

Important to Know

This role is best suited for engineers who:

• Enjoy solving complex technical challenges
• Want to lead, not just contribute
• Have experience beyond a single project type or industry niche

It is not a fit for candidates focused only on production drafting, narrowly scoped project work, or early-career development roles.

Ready to Learn More?

If you're a licensed PE looking to step into a high-trust, leadership-driven engineering role, we'd love to connect.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Irvine, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $70.00 - $95.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Irvine,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 23, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.