High Voltage Engineer

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary Technical Authority and Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the site’s electrical distribution infrastructure, including substations, medium-to-high voltage switchgear, and campus-wide distribution networks (typically 2.4kV to 35kV+) at NASA Ames Research Center.
• Develop a 5-to-10-year master plan with cost-benefit analyses for electrical distribution infrastructure, including major capital improvements (switchgear, transformer replacements, and substation modernization).
• Provide engineering-level guidance to field crews, high-voltage technicians, and electricians during complex troubleshooting or emergency repairs.
• Review and approve engineering packages, technical submittals, one-line diagrams, and protection/coordination studies for new construction or system retrofits.
• Ensure engineering designs and field work meet National Electrical Code (NEC), National Electrical Safety Code (NESC), and NFPA 70E requirements.
• Implement strict adherence to safety standards by acting as the lead authority on NFPA 70E (Electrical Safety in the Workplace).
• Oversee arc flash studies and ensure OSHA/site-specific safety mandate compliance.
• Analyze contractor-provided data (e.g., dissolved gas analysis, relay testing, thermographic scans) to predict equipment life cycles and prevent outages.
• Support technical reviews for equipment upgrades to ensure compliance with technical requirements.
• Identify, prioritize, communicate, and deconflict tasks, deliverables, and project impacts.
• Interface with Government, contractors, and project partner staff for tasks, updates, and status.
• Responsible for monthly, annual, and project milestone review assessments and reports.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) from an ABET-accredited institution.
• At least 5-7 years of professional experience in high-voltage power distribution, substation engineering, or heavy industrial electrical systems.
• Knowledge and experience working within Federal and California facility electrical distribution infrastructure including medium-to-high voltage switchgear, and campus-wide distribution networks (typically 2.4kV to 35kV+).
• Detailed experience with National Electrical Code (NEC) and National Electrical Safety Code (NESC).
• Current NFPA 70E / Arc Flash Training is required.
• Flexible in adapting to deadlines, changing schedules, competing priorities, and unpredictable events.
• Thorough, detail oriented, and organized, with excellent time management skills and ability to prioritize tasks.
• Familiar with and able to present data and recommendations to a diverse audience of project managers, engineers, technical staff, and contractors.
• Superb verbal and written communication skills.
• Self-motivated problem solver and independent thinker.