Open until filled. First review deadline is on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at 9 am (Pacific).

Download the full job announcement

We are seeking an experienced electrical engineer to join our microgrid deployment team. The Schatz Center is a leader in microgrid innovation, including behind-the-meter, front-of-the-meter, and networked microgrid systems. We work in close collaboration with state and local agencies, Tribal Nations, and utility partners to develop strong projects that advance grid decarbonization, rural reliability and energy resilience, and Tribal energy sovereignty. 

We are looking for an electrical engineer to support our growing portfolio of work related to clean energy microgrids and distributed energy. These technologies are critical to enable a broad transition to renewable and clean energy systems. The chosen applicant will work with our experienced electrical and controls engineering staff to develop innovative microgrid projects with multiple indigenous Tribes in Northern California. 

This position is expected to start in July 2025, and is based at the Schatz Center in Arcata, CA. The exact start date is negotiable. Our team members have the flexibility to either work onsite full-time or alternate between remote work and onsite work, with a minimum of 40% of their time spent at the Schatz Center. During the initial onboarding period, the selected candidate could telecommute, but ultimately will need to live within commuting distance of the Schatz Center. Applications are welcome from all who are legally eligible to work in the U.S.

Who we are and what we do

Since 1989, the Schatz Center has been a leader in applied research and project development for clean and renewable energy. Our current portfolio includes microgrid development, sustainable transportation design, carbon life cycle analysis, solar product testing, offshore wind feasibility studies, and planning and policy for clean energy access around the globe.

We are located on the campus of Cal Poly Humboldt in Arcata, California. Arcata’s 800-acre community forest and 11 miles of trails through the heart of the redwoods begin just one block away, and we are within biking distance of California’s second largest inland bay and the Pacific Ocean. 

As residents of a rural coastal community, we are keenly aware of our social and environmental responsibilities. We are committed to increasing energy access and resilience for communities worldwide — and do so through clean and renewable design that reduces climate change and restores environmental and human health.

Position Summary

As an electrical engineer at the Schatz Center, the successful applicant will help develop innovative projects that aim to decarbonize the electricity grid and provide resiliency benefits to communities. Once hired, engineers are responsible for contributing to and completing work across several projects simultaneously.  

The successful applicant will report directly to a Principal Engineer and have the opportunity to work across both the electrical and controls engineering teams. Their role will also involve working with faculty, professional staff, and undergraduate and graduate students who are committed to understanding, deploying, and improving these emerging technology systems. 

After onboarding and initial training activities, engineers work with a Principal Engineer, lead electrical engineer, and/or lead controls engineer and others to finalize the list of projects they will work on. Then a series of hand-off and orientation meetings will be organized to transfer engineering duties to them. 

On a daily basis, the successful applicant will perform engineering and analytical work in collaboration with project teams in support of project execution. They contribute toward meeting project objectives and deadlines, and support project managers in keeping projects on time and within budget. As an electrical engineer, they also may supervise, coach, and/or mentor one or more early career-level staff or student research assistants. 

The electrical engineer may represent our microgrid work at conferences, meetings, and other external events, and could potentially participate in networking and fundraising activities. They may also contribute to the development of new ideas and processes that enhance organizational efficiency, promote an equitable, diverse, inclusive, and accessible workplace culture, support work-life balance as a core value, and help advance our vision, purpose, and values. 

Engineers with appropriate qualifications and/or interest to gain the necessary knowledge and experience may have the option of joining the Schatz Center’s on-call support team for microgrid operation and maintenance. Additionally, engineers at the Schatz Center have the potential to develop into a technical lead role, involving strategic leadership within a research area and development of a portfolio of related projects.

Compensation

This is a full time, benefit-eligible position with a minimum term of one year. Employee continuation is anticipated, contingent on funding, workload, and performance.

The monthly salary is between $6,202 and $8,731, depending on skills and experience. Cost of living adjustments are made annually in July.

How to apply

Please see the full job announcement for the core responsibilities and a list of required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Deadline

The first round of review will be based on materials that have been submitted by 9 am Pacific Time (US) on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. The position will be open until it is filled. 

Materials

Applicants must submit the following via email to schatzenergy@humboldt.edu:

1. A formal letter of application (cover letter), attention: Schatz Center Hiring Committee. In your letter, a) explain why you are interested to work with us in advancing clean energy and b) describe how your background prepares you to be an effective electrical engineer.
2. A resume: A maximum of 3 pages is preferred, however we encourage you to include all relevant and transferable experience and skills you wish us to consider. For guidance, view our Criteria for Prior Education and Experience. Please include timebase (hours per week or month) information for experience and/or training.
3. Contact information for 3 professional references.
4. A Cal Poly Humboldt SPF Employee Information Form for Applicants. Fill in Submission Email/Contact as follows: Name = Schatz Energy Research Center, Email = schatzenergy@humboldt.edu

Please include in your email how you learned about this vacancy. 

Additional materials may be required from candidates invited to interview.

Questions and inquiries

• For assistance with the application process, please submit an Accommodation Request Form, or contact the campus ADA Coordinator at (707) 826-3626 or confidential fax at (707) 826-3625. For more information regarding accommodation, you may also visit the Cal Poly Humboldt Campus Disability Resource Center at ​​https://disability.humboldt.edu/. Individuals in need of a telecommunications relay service may contact the California Relay Service at (877) 735-2929 TTY.  
• Learn more about our employment opportunities at schatzcenter.org/jobs.

For additional information, please email schatzenergy@humboldt.edu or call (707) 826-4345.