Power Generation Entry Mechanical Engineer

Minimum Pay Rate: $99,923

Maximum Pay Rate: $132,350

Posting Type: Open 

 

Open until filled - Candidates are encouraged to apply early as this posting may close at any time without notice on or after May 27, 2026.

 

SMUD delivers power to more than 1.5 million customers throughout the Sacramento area. As a community-owned, not-for-profit electric service, we’ve been providing low-cost, reliable electricity for over 75 years. Our hydroelectric system is a key part of that, transforming Sierra water resources into clean, renewable energy for our communities.

 

SMUD is seeking a mechanical engineer with power generation or heavy industrial experience to support maintenance projects at the nine hydroelectric powerhouses in the Upper American River Project. In this hands-on role, you will be working with the maintenance engineering group in Pollock Pines, CA to maintain and upgrade the mechanical equipment that keeps our hydropower system at peak reliability. The ideal candidate is a good communicator, comfortable managing projects in the field, and enjoys working alongside skilled craft workers on construction projects.

 

Located about an hour east of Sacramento, the Fresh Pond campus is home to our engineering offices, skilled craft shops, and warehouses that support the operation and maintenance of the Upper American River Project. This impressive system includes nine powerhouses, eleven reservoirs, and eighteen dams spread across the west slope of the Sierra Nevada, between Placerville and the Desolation Wilderness. If you enjoy the outdoors, you’ll appreciate the many recreational opportunities nearby, along with the chance to work on projects within the stunning Crystal Basin.

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.

 

Onsite Work

This position reports daily to Fresh Pond Hydro Operations (near Pollock Pines, CA). Several work schedules are available including the popular 4 days per week, 10 hours per day schedule. SMUD offers vanpools to many regions of the Sacramento basin.

 

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.