Senior Instrument and Controls Engineer

Minimum Pay Rate: $156,000.00

Maximum Pay Rate: $206,606.40

Civil Service Status: Civil Service

Apply by Date: 05/15/2026

As a community-owned utility, SMUD is committed to providing reliable, affordable, and increasingly renewable energy. Our diverse generation portfolio includes hydroelectric plants, thermal facilities, solar, wind, battery storage, and a natural gas pipeline, all working together to power our community sustainably.

SMUD's Power Generation department is looking to hire a Senior Instrument and Controls Engineer. In this role, you'll play a key part in keeping our generation assets running smoothly and efficiently. You'll design, lead, and manage projects that upgrade and maintain critical instrumentation and control systems such as remote terminal units (RTUs), protective relays, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), SCADA systems, human-machine interfaces (HMIs), and control valves. You'll ensure these systems accurately monitor plant conditions, control equipment safely, and meet all safety and regulatory standards. You'll collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement system modifications, troubleshoot complex issues, and oversee testing and commissioning activities. By making certain our equipment and controls operate reliably and efficiently, you'll help reduce downtime, improve performance, and support SMUD's commitment to clean energy and environmental stewardship.

If you're ready to lead and manage projects that combine advanced engineering with a meaningful impact across diverse energy resources, we invite you to apply and join SMUD's innovative team.

To provide instrument and control (I&C) design engineering and project management for SMUD’s various power generation assets and related equipment (which includes hydroelectric, thermal, photovoltaic, battery storage, wind, and a natural gas pipeline); participate and/or lead in coordination of major plant controls and instrumentation modifications and equipment testing, modification, repair and installation to ensure generation operations for SMUD are reliable, efficient, and comply with regulatory requirements and restrictions.

Serves as an advanced journey level resource in a relevant professional discipline; works independently on projects of moderate complexity; exercises independent judgment and discretion; may serve in a Lead role and assist in planning, coordinating, prioritizing, monitoring and evaluating the work results in assigned area and in training, motivating, evaluating, and developing lower-level personnel.

• May serve as lead instrumentation and controls (I&C) engineer for the Power Generation department with responsibility for the design effort for major modifications to I&C aspects of SMUD’s power generation assets and related support facilities, construction and/or modification/upgrade projects.
• Plans, coordinates, prioritizes, monitors, guides, reviews and conducts work activities to meet established task objectives, goals and schedules and deadlines by: following established policies and precedents; communicating with team members and incorporating their input to processes and techniques; providing training; promoting safety and a safe work environment; assisting in evaluating work performance results; and participating as a team member in accomplishing objectives.
• Identifies needs and provides engineering design to modify existing systems and install new systems.
• Oversees or supervises coordination efforts with Supply Chain, Legal, asset managers, other required SMUD departments and vendor representatives for the procurement of equipment, parts, and services; performs preparation of bid proposals, including technical and other related bid package specifications; evaluates vendor bids and makes recommendation for contract awards; provides contract administration for outsourced materials and services; develops plans for installation of this equipment or facilities by outside contractors.
• Provides technical guidance to associate engineers, specialists, and technicians in the performance of technical work; guides and advises technical personnel to assure compliance with internal procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Develops and provides or directs preparation of engineering plans and reports for modification and construction work for power generation projects by: developing work plans and project schedules; describing modifications and related design criteria; preparing design basis reports and safety analysis reports; documenting equipment and construction specifications; ensuring compatibility or minimizing impact of designs on existing plant equipment; overseeing preparation of engineering drawings; and providing dispositions to conformance reports.
• Provides expertise and written documentation associated with comprehensive design packages and engineering control to comply with SMUD requirements and governmental regulations.
• Develops project controls, cost estimates and schedules for major l&C projects required for operational or regulatory compliance.
• Coordinates with various departments for support in accomplishing I&C projects.
• Performs interpretation, review and coordination actions to achieve conformance, audit readiness and compliance with governmental regulations by: reviewing and approving inspection data reports, drawings and drawing revisions and other documentation required to manage power generation projects; maintaining liaison with SMUD construction, quality control and quality assurance units to minimize non-conforming conditions and conflicts; and providing proper interpretation and incorporation of industry codes and standards in design-related activities.
• Reviews and approves engineering, design, and inspection documents to facilitate review and audit of power generation projects and compliance with regulatory agencies.
• Assists in administering the department budget by participating in planning, monitoring and revising schedules, work plans, expenditures and assignments.
• Performs other related duties as needed to include working outside of typical business hours when necessary.

• BS degree from an accredited college or university majoring in mechanical or electrical engineering or related field.

• Five (5) to Seven (7) years of progressively responsible relevant work experience in electrical design, construction or operation of facilities.

• Plant instrumentation and controls including electronic, pneumatic, hydraulic and digital computer systems;
• Federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations governing engineering and operations and their impact on power generation projects;
• Plant systems, operating procedures, design control procedures and methods;
• Fundamentals and practices of human factors design criteria;
• Modicon, Wonderware, GE Mark VIe, AVEVA and Interlution and other control platforms for supervisory control, HMI, MES, and IIoT;
• Fundamentals and practices for contract management;
• Procedures and practices for monitoring and managing projects;
• Safety policies, practices and procedures relevant to the job;
• English grammar, punctuation and vocabulary standards.

• Perform PLC/WTP and WWTP software programming and other systems and software relevant to the job;
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing internally/externally;
• Interpret, clarify, understand and evaluate verbal/written information and ideas;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships internally/externally;
• Plan, organize, prioritize and schedule projects;
• Monitor and manage projects and assigned project personnel and groups;
• Examine procedures/systems and develop/implement operational improvements;
• Interpret, evaluate and apply pertinent policies, procedures, regulations and requirements.

• Professional Engineer (PE) license in California.
• Extensive experience with instrumentation and control systems utility scale power generation plants and appurtenances, including hydro, thermal, solar, wind, and battery storage.
• Strong knowledge of PLC, DCS, and SCADA systems, including programming, configuration, and troubleshooting.
• Hands-on experience with control panel design, relay logic, and electrical schematics.
• Ability to develop and review control system specifications, commissioning plans, and testing procedures.
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements and standards governing power generation and control systems.
• Excellent project management skills, including scope definition, scheduling, and budgeting.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to diagnose and resolve complex technical issues.
• Experience with RFP development, vendor coordination, and contract management for instrumentation and control projects.

Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) - Who We Are

As the nation's sixth-largest community-owned electric service provider, we're proud of our reputation as one of the best places to work in Sacramento. Our employees tell us in our engagement surveys they're "Happy, satisfied and engaged" which helps create a workplace that best serves our customers. Sacramento was named as the 2nd happiest place to work in America by Forbes Magazine. Lake Tahoe, San Francisco and the world-renowned Napa Valley are within easy driving distance of our locations.

Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

SMUD celebrates diversity, and inspires an inclusive culture based on trust and respect to create belonging and connection among our employees, customers, and communities. By working together, we are powering positive, equitable opportunities for all. We aspire to be a workplace where you can be yourself, achieve your best, and thrive together.

An example of our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging is when SMUD signed the California Equal Pay Pledge in 2020. This requires equal pay for employees who perform “substantially similar work,” when viewed as a composite of skill, effort, and responsibility at the time those employees started within that classification. As such, initial hiring salary range is not subject to negotiation and salaries will vary over time based on performance.

SMUD is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, veteran status, or any other applicable legally protected characteristic. All employment decisions are made on the basis of individual qualifications, merit, and business needs and interests.

Why Sacramento, California?

The capitol of California, Sacramento is the state's sixth-largest city, and the 35th largest in the U.S. Local universities include California State University, University of the Pacific's McGeorge School of Law, and the University of California, Davis and several competitive community colleges. The UC Davis Medical Center, a world-renowned research hospital, is one of more than a dozen hospitals and shared services centers in the Sacramento region. Part of the agriculturally-rich Central Valley, Sacramento is at the forefront of the farm-to-fork food movement. Northern California is home to some of the country's top technology companies, including Google and LinkedIn, and a multitude of startups in many industries. Sacramento is home to the NBA Kings, the River Cats (AAA baseball), the Republic FC (soccer) and the San Francisco Giants, NBA Warriors and NFL 49er's aren't far away. Sacramento offers an affluent liberal arts community with Broadway, Mondavi Center, Crocker Museum and summer musical theater to name a few.

Hybrid Work

This position may be eligible for SMUD's hybrid (office/home) work employee benefit, the schedule of which will be determined by the successful candidate and the Hiring Manager. SMUD takes pride in powering the Sacramento region community where we live and work. We value the strong working relationships we develop with our colleagues. Our approach to hybrid work will continue to evolve. Please be aware that should SMUD’s business needs change, emergencies occur, or various other reasons arise, you may be required to report onsite on a part-time or full-time basis.

CalPERS

SMUD is a CalPERS agency. As a member of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS), SMUD offers eligible employees access to a defined benefit pension plan along with other valuable retirement and health benefits. This program helps provide financial security both during your career and after retirement. To learn more about CalPERS and the benefits it offers, please visit www.calpers.ca.gov.