Critical Energy

Critical Energy

Senior Electrical Engineer, Power Systems

Hawthorne, CA · Senior

Sponsorship not specified$175k-$200kDetected 306 days ago
NLPProcurementAutoCADSystems EngineeringPLCElectrical EngineeringHardware DesignPower ElectronicsControlsCommunicationProblem SolvingThermodynamics

About the role

  • The role will involve working closely with grid interconnection engineers, thermodynamics and turbo-machinery experts, hardware design engineers, and build engineering resources.
  • Candidates must be willing to be flexible in their work and help do what it takes to build the startup.
  • We are hiring for candidates with very strong fundamentals and experience applying them in the real world including hands-on experience with hardware they have developed.

Responsibilities

  • Design and size medium voltage electrical systems for ORC geothermal power generation, including synchronous generators, MV circuit breakers, step-down transformers, neutral ground resistors, surge arresters, and associated switchgear at medium voltage.
  • Design and size low voltage auxiliary power systems (480 VAC, 120 VAC, 24 VDC) including motor branch circuits, VFD-driven pump and fan loads, MCC lineups, and control power distribution.
  • Evaluate and select motors, generators, drives, and protection devices considering efficiency, cost, reliability, and lead time, including both surplus/refurbished equipment and new long-lead OEM hardware.
  • Support procurement of surplus medium voltage equipment including MV breakers, transformers, switchgear, PTs, CTs, NGRs, and surge arresters.
  • Perform power system studies using ETAP including load flow, short circuit fault analysis, motor starting, protective device coordination, and arc flash analysis per IEEE 1584.
  • Design generator protection schemes per IEEE C37.102 including specification and configuration of digital protection relays.
  • Size and specify digital voltage regulators (DVR) and excitation systems, and support commissioning of AVR, PF control, OEL, and UEL functions.
  • Design plant auxiliary power budgets and generator operating point analyses, including capability chart verification and reactive power planning for utility interconnection.
  • Collaborate with systems engineering on controls architecture, safety instrumented systems (IEC 61511), and control system integration across plant devices.
  • Ensure all designs comply with applicable standards.

Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field.
  • 3-5+ years of experience in power generation, electrical system design, or a related field.
  • Demonstrated experience with medium voltage power systems (4 kV - 15 kV class) including generators, switchgear, transformers, and protection relays.
  • Experience performing power system analysis using ETAP including load flow, short circuit, coordination, and arc flash studies.
  • Experience sizing and specifying motor branch circuit protection per NEC Article 430, including VFD applications.
  • Strong knowledge of generator protection principles and ANSI/IEEE device function numbers.
  • Experience balancing power budgets and defining system requirements for generation facilities.
  • Experience specifying and sizing circuit protection systems including breakers, fuses, contactors, and switchgear.
  • Familiarity with utility interconnection requirements (IEEE 1547-2018) and the generator synchronization process.
  • Familiarity with safety instrumented systems and IEC 61511 principles.

Nice to have

  • Experience with ORC, geothermal, or other Rankine-cycle power generation systems.
  • Experience with API 670 machinery protection systems (Bentley Nevada or equivalent).
  • Experience with digital protection relay configuration (SEL, GE, or equivalent).
  • Experience with digital voltage regulator commissioning (Basler DECS or equivalent).
  • Familiarity with NEC Article 430 motor protection and medium voltage switchgear standards.
  • Experience designing for classified hazardous areas (NEC Class I Division 2).

Compensation

  • Base salary ranges from $175-200k per annum
  • Several annual social and team building outings

Benefits

  • Equity options
  • 100% company-covered Platinum or HD/HSA (with company contribution) medical
  • 100% company-covered dental and vision

Company info

  • To build an abundant, low-cost, 100% clean energy future through groundbreaking geothermal innovation.
  • We're a team of passionate engineers, designers, and visionaries building cutting-edge solutions to meet the world's energy needs with 100% clean energy.
  • We are in the early stages of development and building our founding team.
  • This is your chance to get in on the ground floor of something big!
  • If you're ready to work at a fun, fast-paced, groundbreaking organization that is positioned to revolutionize geothermal energy, apply today!
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