Electrical Engineer (Municipal Water Infrastructure - Power Distribution & Control Systems)

Who we are

West Yost is a water resource management and engineering firm focused exclusively on water. Since our founding in 1990, we have partnered with public agencies including cities, counties, utilities, and water districts to plan, design, and deliver water, wastewater, and stormwater solutions that support safe, reliable, and resilient communities.

Our team of more than 260 professionals brings together expertise in groundwater, water supply, treatment, infrastructure, recycled water, stormwater, construction management, and operations technology. We support projects from early planning and permitting through design and construction and complement our engineering services with program management and public outreach to help clients move work forward and engage their communities.

We are proud to be certified as a Great Place to Work®, and to be recognized among Fortune’s® Best Workplaces in Consulting and Professional Services from 2023 to 2025, as well as a top-ranked firm in the AEC Advisors Diversity Index. At West Yost, we are committed to being the water firm of choice for our clients and our team, advancing water resources for future generations through strong partnerships, practical solutions, and a shared commitment to quality.

Salary range: $109,315 to $180,685. Based on our Davis, CA office location. (West Yost uses geographic salary differentials that would apply for candidates in other regions).

Location preference is anywhere near one of the West Yost office locations. https://www.westyost.com/locations/

There may be occasional travel to client sites around the West coast, mainly CA, OR, AZ, & WA*.

Position Description

Electrical Engineer (Power Distribution & Control Systems)

This is an exciting opportunity for a self-motivated individual to join our electrical, instrumentation and controls practice area within the OTCR Sector. Our team is growing, and this role offers an opportunity to play an active part in that growth and help shape the team’s direction.

The successful candidate will contribute technical expertise while collaborating closely with our experienced team of professionals. This position involves working alongside project managers both within other West Yost sectors and with external partners delivering coordinated, high-quality solutions. The role supports a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment and provides opportunities to influence project execution, technical development, and the long-term success of the team.

Design experience with medium-voltage electrical systems is desired, along with experience supporting distributed energy systems such as battery energy storage systems, solar photovoltaic systems, and cogeneration facilities. You will also provide technical and design consulting services with a focus on electrical power distribution, motor controls, lighting, grounding, instrumentation, and controls systems design to support projects for all business sectors within West Yost. You will manage tasks, oversee the work of engineering professionals, and serve as an industry leader supporting the growth of our municipal water / wastewater practice.

• West Yost has developed the AWWA cybersecurity resources since 2019.
• West Yost is a CCE licensee from Idaho National Laboratory (INL).
• West Yost is a leader in applying cyber informed engineering to our projects to better protect our clients from the cyber-attacks of today and tomorrow.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Engage with internal and external project managers and clients.
• Perform engineering services during planning and preliminary design.
• Perform engineering services during detailed design, including attend/lead meetings, coordinate with project team and vendors, and development of Plans and Specifications.
• Perform engineering services during construction, including submittal review, RFI response, field observations.
• Performing system analysis using SKM Power Tools power systems analysis software. At a minimum, provide engineering oversight for staff using these software packages to publish a power systems study with arc flash hazard analysis.
• Prioritize and balance competing project demands and conflicting project requirements.
• Mentor other Electrical, Instrumentation and Controls (E/I&C) engineers and technicians to effectively complete work with attention to detail.
• Develop scopes, schedules and budgets for projects and project tasks.
• Monitor project scope, schedule, and budget to control the work according to the project plan.
• Delegate tasks to others; follow up on completion and quality of work.
• Make accurate and implementable decisions in a timely manner.
• Participate in client contacts and business development efforts.
• Reduce complex aspects of instrumentation and control engineering to terms understandable to others.
• Travel will be required to support project needs (approximately 10-15% of time).

Key Skills

• Good working knowledge of the National Electrical Code
• Proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, MS Project)
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
• Performance-driven and ability to work productively, both independently and as a contributing member of a multi-discipline design team

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant work experience, will consider fewer years of experience
• Proficient in developing, reading, and understanding P&IDs and control schematics
• Proficient in developing, reading, and understanding electrical power and control systems
• Possess Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, or equal depending on circumstance
• Professional Electrical Engineering License in California, or ability to obtain reciprocity in 6 months.

A Little About the West Yost Life

You will experience many opportunities to grow and develop professionally with your colleagues through collaborative in-person work experience, knowledge sharing, and mentorship opportunities. We also offer hybrid and flexible work schedules to our employees to help promote and encourage a healthy work/life balance. All of our team members have access to local and company-wide events, our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Workgroup, Culture Workgroup, Wellness Workgroup, book clubs, charitable giving and community service, firm-wide resources, peer groups (young professionals & middlers group), and mentorship and leadership programs. We support and foster your career success and encourage you to be in control of your future with us.

At West Yost, we make space for connection across the firm. Each month, we hold an all-hands meeting that bring together team members from every location, including those working remotely, to stay aligned and engaged. Individual sectors and teams also hold their own monthly meeting. At the local level, our offices host gatherings, from camping trips and river rafting to community events and celebrations.

Once a year, we come together in person for our Annual All Staff event, a firmwide experience focused on learning, networking, and building relationships across teams. That evening, we continue our longest-standing tradition, the Duck Dinner, where West Yosters are encouraged to bring a guest and enjoy a night of great food, connection, and entertainment.

We work hard, and we place equal value on having fun.

Our commitment to quality begins with our hiring practices. We employ the most talented team members in our industry from all backgrounds. We are highly selective of the individuals we choose to represent the firm, seeking only those individuals whose technical abilities and commitment to client service matches our vision for excellence. We are dedicated to our number one asset, our employees. Because we are employee-owned, we are responsible for and rewarded by our own success. Come to West Yost where, with our support, you’ll do the best work of your life.

Standard benefits

We provide a comprehensive array of valuable benefits to protect your health, your family, and your way of life. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, health saving accounts (with West Yost contribution), paid vacation, paid sick leave and holidays, two employee assistance programs, travel assistance program, 401(k) profit sharing with employer match, leaves of absence with additional supplemental paid time off, parental leave, life and AD&D insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance, and even pet insurance.

Other unique benefits

You’ll be provided with support in on-going education through our 529 college savings plan/student loan repayment program, tuition reimbursement, paid professional memberships, paid training, and Leadership Academy programs. You’ll be recognized for your contributions at West Yost through milestone anniversary benefits, peer to peer recognition programs, the potential for employee stock ownership, annual monetary and paid time off bonuses, performance-based bonus eligibility, merit increase eligibility, and employee referral bonuses. We also offer a wellness reimbursement.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.