Grid Innovation Engineer
PG&E
Grid Innovation Engineer
PG&E
Electric and natural gas utility
Requisition ID # 175242
Job Category: Engineering / Science
Job Level: Individual Contributor
Business Unit: Strategy & Growth
Work Type: Hybrid
Job Location: Oakland
Department Overview
At PG&E we’re reimagining the future of energy—and we need passionate, purpose-driven professionals to help us get there. As part of Grid Research Innovation & Development (GRID) team, you’ll be at the forefront of transforming California’s electric system to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving energy landscape.
In 2022, PG&E launched its True North Strategy (TNS), a bold 10-year vision to advance our breakthrough commitments to people, climate, and prosperity. Innovation on our high voltage electric transmission system is a critical component of reaching our TNS vision, with the sharp rise of interconnection requests from large-load customers, especially data centers, creating significant opportunities to reduce rates through beneficial load growth.
The GRID department is focused on bringing technologies and solutions that support the implementation of TNS from conception to reality. The Innovation Framework & Execution (IF&E) team plays a critical role within GRID by enhancing PG&E’s capacity to assess, test, and deploy novel solutions and technologies. The team is comprised of experienced innovation practitioners that are directly embedded into some of our highest priority R&D initiatives, including transmission innovation, to drive successful outcomes and accelerate new technologies’ paths to scaling.
Position Summary
We’re seeking a curious, tenacious professional to support cross-departmental innovation efforts on PG&E’s electric transmission grid. This role is ideal for someone who has built a strong foundation in electric power systems and has developed a product-oriented mind- and skill set.
In this position you’ll have a unique opportunity to influence how California's transmission grid evolves to support electrification, data center growth, and emerging energy technologies. Successful solutions developed in this role may influence future transmission planning and operational practices within PG&E and across the utility industry. The successful candidate will begin their assignment with a six-month rotation in Transmission Planning to deepen their understanding of PG&E's planning processes, tools, and interconnection challenges before transitioning into the Grid Innovation role to apply those insights to transmission innovation initiatives.
This is a highly collaborative role that requires empathy, technical fluency, and a systems-thinking approach. You’ll be a connector breaking complex challenges into actionable solutions, bridging transmission planning with real-time operations, and technical ingenuity with customer needs.
This position is hybrid, working from your remote office and your assigned work location based on business need. The assigned work location is in Oakland, CA. The team has an expectation of working from Oakland office up to several days per month. Also, the role will require up to 20% travel throughout PG&E’s service territory.
PG&E is providing the full salary/pay range for this position. The actual amount paid to an individual will be based on multiple factors, including, but not limited to, internal equity,specific skills, education, licenses or certifications, experience, market value, and geographic location. The range to reasonably expect will be between the minimum and the midpoint of the range. The final decision will be made on a case-by-case basis related to the factors above. This job is also eligible to participate in PG&E’s discretionary incentive compensation programs.
Bay Area Minimum: $140,000.00
Bay Area Midpoint: $189,000.00
Bay Area Maximum: $238,000.00
Reporting Relationship
This position will have a matrixed reporting structure. You will primarily report to the Manager of Innovation Framework & Execution, with additional reporting responsibilities to leaders within Transmission Planning and Large Load Development teams. You will collaborate closely with Transmission Operations and Local Customer Engagement teams.
Job Responsibilities
Lead innovation for transmission grid transformation
Drive the assessment and development of new technologies and processes to expand grid capacity and flexibility
Collaborate with internal teams, utilities, and vendors to evaluate and iterate on innovative new solutions
Benchmark industry best-practices for large-load interconnections, especially data centers
Keep the customer experience at the center of every solution
Develop business plans that articulate the expected benefits and costs of innovative solutions, with a close eye on rate and systems impacts
Translate technical findings into compelling executive summaries that inform enterprise decision-making
Pilot, learn, and scale novel transmission solutions
Stand up cross-functional teams and project governance to pilot novel technology pilots with real impacts on large-load customers
Translate complex discussions with inherent uncertainty into tactical checklists of clear next steps, following PG&E’s Lean Operating System
Facilitate cross-functional evaluations of pilot outcomes and develop recommendations for scaling successful solutions
Evaluate solution feasibility, operational readiness, and scalability, and develop implementation roadmaps from concept through deployment
Support broader transmission innovation initiatives
Flexibly jump in to support emerging relevant priorities across GRID
Act as transmission innovation subject matter expert during PG&E-hosted events such as Pitch Fest
Qualifications
Minimum:
Bachelor’s Degree in engineering or equivalent experience
Experience with grid modeling software (e.g. CYMDIST, PSLF, TARA, Aspen, or similar tools)
7 years of electric utility related experience
Desired:
Previous experience with writing code using Python and EPCL
Familiarity with NERC TPL-001-05, MOD-26, and MOD-32 standards
Experience with grid digital twins, AI/ML applications, and advanced analytics
Experience evaluating DERMS, EMS, ADMS, or grid flexibility management platforms
Experience supporting large-load, hyperscale, or data center interconnections
Experience evaluating emerging technologies, startups, or conducting technical due diligence
Technology innovation, R&D, or pilot deployment experience
Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in Electrical Engineering or related field preferred
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
Ability to lead and influence cross-functional technical teams and project stakeholders
Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex technical information into clear, actionable insights for audiences at all levels.
Ability to adapt to change and quickly pivot, with a strong bias for action and results
Ability to be creative, versatile, efficient, and productive in the face of ambiguity and change
Ability to lead complex, cross-functional initiatives that impact multiple business functions
Ability to rigorously define and enforce prioritization of feature development, defeating scope creep and delivering the most impactful iterative results
PG&E is a regulated electric and natural-gas utility serving northern and central California. Pacific Gas and Electric Company generates and delivers electricity and distributes natural gas through extensive energy networks. Its customers include households, businesses, institutions, and communities across its service territory. Utility operations integrate power generation, grid and gas infrastructure, wildfire and emergency work, customer programs, engineering, and regulatory compliance. Roles span line and gas work, engineering, vegetation management, generation, customer service, technology, safety, and corporate functions.
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