Transmission Line Engineering Jobs in California
Transmission line engineering jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in investor-owned utilities, renewable energy developers, and public power agencies as California accelerates grid modernization and offshore wind buildout, with openings at every level from entry-level design engineers through senior project leads. The heaviest hiring is centered in the Sacramento, Los Angeles, and San Francisco Bay Area metros, where employers like Pacific Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison, and Bechtel have long-standing California operations and recurring engineering needs. The most in-demand specialties are high-voltage line design, transmission planning, and protection and controls engineering. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 34+ Transmission Line Engineering jobs
By harnessing our expertise and providing cutting-edge solutions, NV5 steps in as a leader, to enhance transmission system capacity, fortify against fire and storm risks, and elevate the reliability of electrical service for utility customers. Leveraging proprietary design methodologies and state-of-the-art modeling software, we tackle complex site-specific obstacles head-on, reducing construction timelines and costs associated with electrical distribution and transmission improvements.
As our Transmission Line Engineer III, you will support our growing Overhead (OH) Electric Transmission practice.
You will be part of a team working on routing, design, and execution of high voltage overhead transmission design projects (60kV to 500kV) and will be involved in all facets of transmission line projects as you grow your career with us.
This is a hybrid position based in one of our Southern California offices (San Diego, Los Angeles, Irvine)
Join us in embracing innovative solutions that pave the way for a resilient energy future.
- Routing and design of transmission lines utilizing the Power Line Systems software suite including PLS-CADD, PLS-POLE, and TOWER.
- QA/QC of PLS-CADD model and job packages before external submittals
- Structure analysis and foundation design, job package creation, developing design criteria and specifications, specification and procurement of materials, project cost estimating, and quality control reviews.
- Construction support and direct interaction with construction crews.
- Will prepare drawings and documentation for construction of transmission line projects.
- Providing leadership, guidance, instruction, and training to less experienced staff members.
- 5-10 years of progressive overhead transmission engineering experience.
- Technically proficient to QA/QC a wide variety of T-Line project submittals before packages are sent to clients.
- B.S. Degree in Civil, Structural, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineering from an ABET-accredited program.
- M.S. Degree in realted engineering field is preferred.
- Experience with Civil/Structural Transmission Line disciplines (Steel Pole Design, Foundation Design.)
- Tower Design w/ PLS-TOWER not required, but a plus.
- Experience in 12kV to 500kV line design and working knowledge and/or expertise in Power Line Systems software suite (i.e., PLS-CADD, PLS-POLE, TOWER, etc.) required.
- Professional Engineer (PE) license in the state of California
The pay range for this California position is $95,000- $135,000 annual salary; however, base pay offered may be higher or lower depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience of the candidate. Restricted stock units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position offered. This information is provided per California Senate Bill 1162. Base pay information is based on market location. Applicants should apply via the NV5 careers site.
NV5 provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. NV5 complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Recruitment & Staffing Agencies: NV5 Inc does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than passive & active candidates and employee referrals. The submission of unsolicited resumes by recruitment or staffing agencies to NV5 or its employees is strictly prohibited unless contacted directly by NV5's internal Talent Acquisition team seeking 3rd party sourcing assistance. Any resume submitted by an agency in the absence of a signed agreement and given permission to represent NV5 to candidates on a particular search, NV5 will not owe any referral or other fees with respect to the unsolicited submission.
#INDHP
#LI-VO1
By harnessing our expertise and providing cutting-edge solutions, NV5 steps in as a leader, to enhance transmission system capacity, fortify against fire and storm risks, and elevate the reliability of electrical service for utility customers. Leveraging proprietary design methodologies and state-of-the-art modeling software, we tackle complex site-specific obstacles head-on, reducing construction timelines and costs associated with electrical distribution and transmission improvements.
As our Transmission Line Engineer III, you will support our growing Overhead (OH) Electric Transmission practice.
You will be part of a team working on routing, design, and execution of high voltage overhead transmission design projects (60kV to 500kV) and will be involved in all facets of transmission line projects as you grow your career with us.
This is a hybrid position based in one of our Southern California offices (San Diego, Los Angeles, Irvine)
Join us in embracing innovative solutions that pave the way for a resilient energy future.
- Routing and design of transmission lines utilizing the Power Line Systems software suite including PLS-CADD, PLS-POLE, and TOWER.
- QA/QC of PLS-CADD model and job packages before external submittals
- Structure analysis and foundation design, job package creation, developing design criteria and specifications, specification and procurement of materials, project cost estimating, and quality control reviews.
- Construction support and direct interaction with construction crews.
- Will prepare drawings and documentation for construction of transmission line projects.
- Providing leadership, guidance, instruction, and training to less experienced staff members.
- 5-10 years of progressive overhead transmission engineering experience.
- Technically proficient to QA/QC a wide variety of T-Line project submittals before packages are sent to clients.
- B.S. Degree in Civil, Structural, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineering from an ABET-accredited program.
- M.S. Degree in realted engineering field is preferred.
- Experience with Civil/Structural Transmission Line disciplines (Steel Pole Design, Foundation Design.)
- Tower Design w/ PLS-TOWER not required, but a plus.
- Experience in 12kV to 500kV line design and working knowledge and/or expertise in Power Line Systems software suite (i.e., PLS-CADD, PLS-POLE, TOWER, etc.) required.
- Professional Engineer (PE) license in the state of California
The pay range for this California position is $95,000- $135,000 annual salary; however, base pay offered may be higher or lower depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience of the candidate. Restricted stock units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position offered. This information is provided per California Senate Bill 1162. Base pay information is based on market location. Applicants should apply via the NV5 careers site.
NV5 provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. NV5 complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Recruitment & Staffing Agencies: NV5 Inc does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than passive & active candidates and employee referrals. The submission of unsolicited resumes by recruitment or staffing agencies to NV5 or its employees is strictly prohibited unless contacted directly by NV5's internal Talent Acquisition team seeking 3rd party sourcing assistance. Any resume submitted by an agency in the absence of a signed agreement and given permission to represent NV5 to candidates on a particular search, NV5 will not owe any referral or other fees with respect to the unsolicited submission.
#INDHP
#LI-VO1
See All 34 Transmission Line Engineering Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsTransmission Line Engineering Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Transmission Line Engineering Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Sargent & Lundy11
- NV58
- Kiewit2
- Tetra Tech2
- KOSMOS2
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services11
- Energy9
- Construction & Real Estate2
- Transportation & Logistics2
- Cybersecurity1
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in transmission line engineering jobs across California.
- Professional Engineer license issued or recognized by the California Board for Professional Engineers
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or closely related technical discipline
- Experience with high-voltage transmission line design and NERC reliability standards
- Proficiency in PLS-CADD or similar transmission line design and modeling software
- Familiarity with California Independent System Operator interconnection and planning processes
- Strong understanding of environmental permitting requirements applicable to California transmission projects
Transmission Line Engineering Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a transmission line engineering in California?
Becoming a transmission line engineer in California typically requires a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering followed by licensure through the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists. Candidates first pass the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, accumulate qualifying work experience under a licensed PE, then pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam. A Professional Engineer license is expected for lead design roles and is often required on public utility projects.
How much do transmission line engineerings make in California?
Transmission line engineerings in California earn a median of about $130,850 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $74,950 for the lowest 10% to over $212,130 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire transmission line engineerings in California?
Employers hiring transmission line engineerings in California right now include Sargent & Lundy, NV5, and Kiewit, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's large investor-owned utilities and the engineering and construction firms supporting grid expansion projects are consistently among the most active sources of openings statewide.
Which California cities have the most transmission line engineering jobs?
The California cities with the most transmission line engineering openings are Pasadena, San Diego, and Santa Ana. The distribution reflects where major utility headquarters, regional transmission operations, and the large engineering and construction firms supporting California's grid modernization and renewable integration projects are concentrated, pulling consistent hiring into those metros.
Are there remote transmission line engineering jobs in California?
Yes, but they're limited. Transmission line engineering is fundamentally a field-adjacent discipline, and most roles require site visits, utility coordination, or hands-on design review that anchors work to a physical location. About 81% of transmission line engineering openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026. Planning, load flow analysis, and standards review work are the functions most likely to carry a remote or hybrid arrangement.
How can I get hired as a transmission line engineering in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for a junior or associate transmission engineer role at one of California's large investor-owned utilities or their engineering contractors, where structured new-graduate programs exist alongside seasoned mentors. Pacific Gas and Electric and Southern California Edison both run rotational or entry-level engineering development programs in California. Candidates coming from distribution engineering, civil or structural engineering, or utility operations can often move laterally into transmission roles. Passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam before applying and building coursework or capstone projects in power systems strengthens any early-career application.
Where can I find and apply to transmission line engineering jobs in California?
You can find and apply to transmission line engineering jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings from utilities, engineering firms, and project developers active in the state. Search the listings, find roles that match your background and location, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 34 Transmission Line Engineering Jobs in California
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