Senior Civil Engineer (Open until filled)

Sacramento Municipal Utility District

$141K — $187K *
Real Estate & Construction
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in civil engineering from an accredited college or university.
  • 5+ years of progressive experience in civil/structural design, construction or maintenance.
  • Proficiency in design software: Autodesk Civil3D, RISA, MathCAD, PLS-CADD, SPIDAcalc.
  • Experience with overhead and underground transmission systems, especially above 69kV.
  • Knowledge of civil/structural engineering codes and standards.

Responsibilities

  • Coordinate and develop civil construction drawings for substation projects.
  • Conduct civil design work, including studies and calculations for drainage and structural designs.
  • Manage small to medium contracts and oversee outsourced project work.
  • Support construction efforts to ensure compliance with SMUD standards.
  • Use various design software to complete project work and design tasks.
  • Assist with the inspection of substation structures and systems.
  • Perform additional related duties as required.

Benefits

  • Access to a defined benefit pension plan through CalPERS.
  • Health benefits and comprehensive retirement options.
  • Opportunities for professional growth and advancement within the job classification series.
Full Job Description
Minimum Pay Rate: $141,814.40

Maximum Pay Rate: $187,824.00

Posting Type: Open

The intent of this posting is to fill one regular full-time position and create an eligibility list that may be used to fill permanent and limited term vacancies for the next 12 months.

Please Note:
  • This position will be posted until a sufficient number of qualified applicants has been received but may close at any time after September 10th, 2026.


COVER LETTER REQUIREMENT: To further assess your qualifications for this position, please link your skills to the requirements of the job by responding to the questions listed below. Failure to provide responses to the listed questions may prevent your progression in the selection process for this position.
  1. Cover letter shall include a detailed description of overhead transmission and/or distribution substation design experience. This shall include design experience with voltages above 69kV. For substation projects discussed, please provide facility size and overall project costs.
  2. Cover letter shall include a detailed description of underground transmission or distribution experience, if any. This shall include design experience with voltages above 69kV. For significant projects discussed, please provid size of project and/or overall project costs.
  3. Please include a description of any substation structure analysis experience.
  4. Please provide information on your level of experience with Autodesk Civil3D, RISA, MFAD, MathCAD, PLS-CADD and SPIDAcalc


Purpose

Provides technical civil/structural engineering expertise to core responsibilities, including complex problem resolution/project oversight assignments, by applying professional engineering standards in the most efficient, safe and cost-effective manner, and that comply with regulatory requirements and restrictions.

Nature and Scope

There are four (4) levels in this job classification series that have similar job content but with progressively more challenging degrees and levels of skill, responsibility, knowledge, experience and qualification requirements:

Flex Classifications (that permit progression from lower-level classes to higher level classes without examination based upon assessment of an individual's experience and performance) within the series:
  • Entry: Incumbent acquires knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the tasks associated within the series but are not yet demonstrating these at the Journey level.
  • Journey: Incumbent is demonstrating the required skills and knowledge to independently perform the full scope of the job.

Non-Flex Classifications (that promote from lower-level classes to higher level classes and require an examination, such as an interview, based upon individual experience and performance) within the series:
  • Senior: Advanced journey level resource who is responsible for advanced assignments, as dictated by the work needing to be performed; may serve in a lead capacity.
  • Principal: Subject matter expert/lead level and is responsible for leading the most advanced work, as dictated by the work needing to be performed.


Entry to Journey: Incumbents at the entry level are required to successfully "progress" to the journey level within 60 months of appointment to remain within the job series.

Seniors and Principals must be hired through a promotional process and do not automatically progress from lower levels in the series

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Assumes the responsibility for coordinating, developing, overseeing, and preparing civil construction drawings related to moderate to complex transmission and distribution substation projects.
  • Completes moderate to complex civil design work for various SMUD assets which could include completing studies and calculations of midsize to large projects that range from drainage improvements to structural design: applies national, state and local agency standards and guidelines while completing engineering work; coordinates with governmental agencies and SMUD departments.
  • Initiates, coordinates and acts as the SMUD contract manager for small to medium contracts; supports various small projects throughout SMUD by acting as the civil substation project manager; interfaces with SMUD procurement, evaluates proposals, drafts task authorizations for various contracts, and manages moderately sized contracts and contracted outsourced work.
  • Supports field crews and contractors to ensure construction is in accordance with SMUD requirements and plans.
  • Completes project work and design assignments using AutoCAD, Civil3D, MathCAD, MFAD, MS excel, MS word, Bluebeam Revu, and RISA 3D.
  • Completes design tasks using ASCE, ACI, AASHTO, NESC, CBC, NFPA, and SMUD standards.
  • Assists in the inspection and assessment of damaged or deteriorating substation structures, foundations, drainage systems, and control buildings.
  • Performs other related duties as needed; schedules, hours and locations may fluctuate based on business needs.


Required Education Qualification

Bachelor's degree in civil engineering from an accredited college or university.

Required Experience Qualifications

At least five (5+) years of progressively responsible work experience in the design, construction, or maintenance of civil and/or structural assets.

Knowledge Of

Methods and techniques of project management and report preparation and writing; fundamentals and practices of contract and budget administration; procedures and practices for overseeing contractors' work activities; fundamentals of cost control, project scheduling, and electrical, transmission and distribution; theory, fundamentals and practices of civil/structural engineering design; theory, fundamentals and regulations governing safety and construction of civil/structural systems and facilities; fundamentals, procedures and practices related to construction/fabrication/installation methods, equipment and materials; computer aided drafting and design software (such as AutoCAD); construction codes and applicable safety standards; fundamentals, procedures and practices related to engineering mathematics, statistical evaluation techniques, and engineering economics; techniques and practices for cost benefit analyses, and problem research and resolution; English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Skills To

Monitor the progress of projects and ensure adherence to established budget constraints; develop work plans, schedules and cost estimates; write technical specifications; prepare bid packages and proposals; negotiate with external representatives on behalf of SMUD; plan, oversee and review the work of others; use state-of-the-art computer software to design civil/structural/architectural systems and facilities; maintain computer databases for collection, interpretation and reporting of data; read and interpret engineering documents and drawings, plans, diagrams, and specifications; use the full suite of Microsoft products and other applications; assist in planning and implementing system protection enhancements and upgrades; assess situations, documents and data for conformance to established policy and procedures; interpret, assess and apply pertinent policies, procedures, regulations, and requirements; ensure adherence to established safety policies, practices and procedures; compile and prepare technical, statistical, analytical, and/or oral reports and presentations; communicate effectively orally and in writing internally/externally; establish and maintain effective working relationships internally/externally.

Desirable Qualifications

  • Professional registration in civil and/or structural engineering in the state of California.
  • Transmission experience above 69kV.


Physical Requirements

Applicants must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.

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.

On-site Work

This role will be an on-site role that will require being in person at one of SMUD's campuses daily to complete work tasks.

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.

Req ID: 2942

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