Transmission Engineer Jobs in California
Transmission Engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in electric utilities, independent system operators, and large infrastructure firms, with openings at every level from entry-level protection and controls roles through senior grid planning positions. The largest hiring metros are Los Angeles, Sacramento, and San Jose, where employers like Pacific Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison, and the California Independent System Operator have deep and ongoing needs. The most in-demand specialties right now are transmission planning, power systems protection, and grid interconnection engineering. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 53+ Transmission Engineer jobs
Job Category: Engineering / Science
Job Level: Individual Contributor
Business Unit: Energy Delivery
Work Type: Hybrid
Job Location: Oakland
Department Overview
The Electric Engineering team ensures the delivery of safe and reliable electric service to our customers. Electric Operations is responsible for PG&E's electric distribution and transmission operations, including planning, engineering, maintenance and construction, asset management, business planning, restoration, and emergency response.
The Engineering and Design team of Transmission Operations Transmission Line Engineering is responsible for electrical and civil engineering work for all of PG&E’s transmission lines. Transmission Line design includes structure design, line design, hardware design, and all components on transmission line assets.
Position Summary
This position is represented by Engineers & Scientists of California (ESC) subject to collective bargaining.
As a Senior Design Engineer, you will be the vital link between the Company and widespread interconnection of generation; increase in capacity demand (residential, commercial and industrial); and system reliability improvements in California. Your role will be to ensure that the Company provides excellent service for these projects. We are looking for motivated, self-driven individuals who enjoy hands-on engineering, have excellent communications skills, high energy, and enjoy working in a team environment. If this describes you, then Transmission Line Engineering Services Department can offer you a challenging and rewarding career.
This position is hybrid, working from your remote office and your assigned work location based on business need. The a ssigned work location will be within the PG&E Service Territory.
PG&E is providing the hourly rate range that the company in good faith believes it might pay for this position at the time of the job posting. This compensation range is specific to the locality of the job. The actual hourly rate paid to an individual will be based on multiple factors, including, but not limited to, specific skills, education, licenses or certifications, experience, market value, geographic location, collective bargaining agreement, and internal equity.
Under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, the hourly rate range for this position is $67.57 to $85.59, subject to collectively bargained wage increases.​
Job Responsibilities Actively promote safe practices and conduct in accordance with the Corporate Safety policy. Accomplish the department goal of zero injuries & avoidable auto incidents. Foster teamwork, innovation and embrace new approaches to accomplish our work more efficiently and effectively. Direct the work of other employees performing design work for jobs and projects Mentor junior employees Ensure delivery of high-quality design products on budget and on time. Prepare Transmission and Distribution Substation designs using Bentley Substation software for indoor equipment (SCADA, relays, meters, batteries, annunciators, metal clad switchgear, etc.) and outdoor equipment (open air bus structures, support structures, circuit breakers, transformers, disconnect switches, etc.). Creating/updating drawings like single line diagrams, AC & DC schematics, indoor & outdoor arrangements, control room layouts, station service, circuit & conduit schedules.
Qualifications
Minimum: Bachelor's degree in Engineering or its equivalent in education and experience to include education and design drafting experience totaling six years, or education and experience totaling four years including two years at PG&E as a Design Drafter or Senior Design Drafter Experience in design work or the equivalent in experience and ability Must possess and maintain a valid Class C California Driver's License (or higher) by Day 1 of hire
Desired: Strong communication, organizational and leadership skills Familiarity with PG&E standards and processes PE/EIT certification Experience in electric transmission design using MicroStation or AutoCAD or PLS-CADD. Fluent with Microsoft office, outlook, word, excel, PowerPoint and access programs
Job Category: Engineering / Science
Job Level: Individual Contributor
Business Unit: Energy Delivery
Work Type: Hybrid
Job Location: Oakland
Department Overview
The Electric Engineering team ensures the delivery of safe and reliable electric service to our customers. Electric Operations is responsible for PG&E's electric distribution and transmission operations, including planning, engineering, maintenance and construction, asset management, business planning, restoration, and emergency response.
The Engineering and Design team of Transmission Operations Transmission Line Engineering is responsible for electrical and civil engineering work for all of PG&E’s transmission lines. Transmission Line design includes structure design, line design, hardware design, and all components on transmission line assets.
Position Summary
This position is represented by Engineers & Scientists of California (ESC) subject to collective bargaining.
As a Senior Design Engineer, you will be the vital link between the Company and widespread interconnection of generation; increase in capacity demand (residential, commercial and industrial); and system reliability improvements in California. Your role will be to ensure that the Company provides excellent service for these projects. We are looking for motivated, self-driven individuals who enjoy hands-on engineering, have excellent communications skills, high energy, and enjoy working in a team environment. If this describes you, then Transmission Line Engineering Services Department can offer you a challenging and rewarding career.
This position is hybrid, working from your remote office and your assigned work location based on business need. The a ssigned work location will be within the PG&E Service Territory.
PG&E is providing the hourly rate range that the company in good faith believes it might pay for this position at the time of the job posting. This compensation range is specific to the locality of the job. The actual hourly rate paid to an individual will be based on multiple factors, including, but not limited to, specific skills, education, licenses or certifications, experience, market value, geographic location, collective bargaining agreement, and internal equity.
Under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, the hourly rate range for this position is $67.57 to $85.59, subject to collectively bargained wage increases.​
Job Responsibilities Actively promote safe practices and conduct in accordance with the Corporate Safety policy. Accomplish the department goal of zero injuries & avoidable auto incidents. Foster teamwork, innovation and embrace new approaches to accomplish our work more efficiently and effectively. Direct the work of other employees performing design work for jobs and projects Mentor junior employees Ensure delivery of high-quality design products on budget and on time. Prepare Transmission and Distribution Substation designs using Bentley Substation software for indoor equipment (SCADA, relays, meters, batteries, annunciators, metal clad switchgear, etc.) and outdoor equipment (open air bus structures, support structures, circuit breakers, transformers, disconnect switches, etc.). Creating/updating drawings like single line diagrams, AC & DC schematics, indoor & outdoor arrangements, control room layouts, station service, circuit & conduit schedules.
Qualifications
Minimum: Bachelor's degree in Engineering or its equivalent in education and experience to include education and design drafting experience totaling six years, or education and experience totaling four years including two years at PG&E as a Design Drafter or Senior Design Drafter Experience in design work or the equivalent in experience and ability Must possess and maintain a valid Class C California Driver's License (or higher) by Day 1 of hire
Desired: Strong communication, organizational and leadership skills Familiarity with PG&E standards and processes PE/EIT certification Experience in electric transmission design using MicroStation or AutoCAD or PLS-CADD. Fluent with Microsoft office, outlook, word, excel, PowerPoint and access programs
See All 53 Transmission Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Transmission Engineer JobsTransmission Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Transmission Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Sargent & Lundy11
- Pacific Gas and Electric10
- Burns & McDonnell8
- Kiewit4
- NV52
Top Industries Hiring
- Construction & Real Estate
- Transportation & Logistics
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Energy
- Cybersecurity
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in transmission engineer jobs across California.
- Professional Engineer license issued or recognized by the California Board for Professional Engineers
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a closely related power systems field
- Proficiency in power flow analysis software such as PSS/E, PowerWorld, or PSCAD
- Experience with NERC reliability standards and WECC regional transmission requirements
- Knowledge of California ISO interconnection procedures and generator study processes
- Strong background in transmission planning, protection design, or substation engineering
Transmission Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a transmission engineer in California?
A bachelor's degree in electrical engineering is the standard starting point, followed by obtaining a Professional Engineer license through the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists. The path runs from the Fundamentals of Engineering exam directly after graduation, then four years of qualifying experience, and finally the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam in electrical power. Employers in California's investor-owned utility and independent system operator sectors consistently require or strongly prefer that license.
Which companies hire transmission engineers in California?
Employers hiring transmission engineers in California right now include Sargent & Lundy, Pacific Gas and Electric, and Burns & McDonnell, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's large investor-owned utilities, the California Independent System Operator, and major transmission development firms account for a consistent share of ongoing openings across the state.
Which California cities have the most transmission engineer jobs?
San Diego, Pasadena, and Santa Ana hold the most transmission engineer openings in California. Los Angeles and San Jose draw demand from major utility headquarters and power systems consultancies concentrated in those metro areas, while Sacramento benefits from its proximity to CAISO's headquarters in Folsom and the state's grid planning institutions, making even smaller suburban locations in that corridor competitive hiring markets.
Are there remote transmission engineer jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Transmission engineering is largely a site-intensive discipline involving substation inspections, field studies, and coordination with grid operators, which limits full remote arrangements. About 76% of transmission engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with the remote portion concentrated in planning, modeling, and study roles where the work centers on software analysis rather than physical infrastructure.
How can I get hired as a transmission engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is an associate or junior engineer role within a California investor-owned utility or transmission consultancy, where structured new-graduate programs exist at employers like Pacific Gas and Electric and Southern California Edison. Lateral moves from distribution engineering, power systems protection technician roles, or substation design give candidates hands-on grid exposure that transfers directly. Passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam early and building PSS/E or PowerWorld proficiency through coursework or personal projects significantly improves competitiveness before a first full-time offer.
Where can I find and apply to transmission engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to transmission engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings. Search the available roles, find the ones that fit your background and location, and apply directly to each position.
See All 53 Transmission Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Transmission Engineer Jobs