Hydro Stationary Engineer II

Minimum Pay Rate: $62.42 per hour

Maximum Pay Rate: $62.42 per hour

Civil Service Status: Civil Service 

Apply by Date: 05/21/2026 

 

Note: Pay rates for this role are anticipated to increase by 4% by Summer 2026, subject to approval and timing of implementation

 

This position is being posted at both Level 1 and Level 2; however, only one hire will be made from these two postings. Candidates interested in both levels must apply separately to each posting.

 

At SMUD, we proudly serve over 1.4 million customers in the Sacramento area with affordable, reliable electricity. As a community-owned, not-for-profit utility, we've been committed to keeping energy costs low and service dependable for more than 70 years. Our team of 2,200 skilled employees works around the clock to provide clean energy and develop smart solutions that benefit both our customers and the environment. Hydroelectric power plays a crucial role in our energy mix, providing sustainable, renewable energy that helps reduce carbon emissions and supports grid reliability. By focusing on hydro, we're investing in a clean energy source that's here for the long haul and essential to building a greener future for our community. 

 

We're looking for a dedicated and skilled Hydro Stationary Engineer II to join our Power Generation team at the Hydro Generation Operation Facility in Fresh Pond, located about 60 miles east of Sacramento and 15 miles east of Placerville. The ideal candidate has journey-level experience installing, servicing, and operating equipment in HVACR, building automation, fire systems, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fabrication, locksmithing, painting, and civil maintenance, especially focused on hydroelectric equipment and associated facilities. Your expertise will support safe, reliable operations at a variety of SMUD facilities, with special emphasis on hydroelectric powerhouses, dams, reservoirs, and remote locations.

 

You will handle complex installations, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair tasks critical to our infrastructure, while taking initiative to innovate and enhance system performance. Opportunities to provide lead direction on projects and coordinate contractor activities allow you to further demonstrate leadership and technical abilities. If you're passionate about working in challenging environments, tackling unique technical problems, and supporting California's clean energy future, a career as a Hydro Stationary Engineer II at SMUD offers a rewarding path forward.

Purpose

Under general to limited supervision, performs a variety of highly skilled industrial/commercial trades work including HVACR (Heating Ventilation Air-conditioning and Refrigeration), Building Automation, Fire Systems, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Fabrication, Locksmith, Painting, and Civil maintenance work in the operation, repair, and maintenance of SMUD facilities with an emphasis on Hydroelectric equipment and properties.  May provide lead direction and work review to assigned staff on specific projects.

Nature and Scope

This is a Journey- level requiring independent problem solving and innovative thinking to improve and enhance systems performance and deliver outstanding customer experience and satisfaction. This job class requires the performance of the more specialized and complex duties related to a specific skilled trade(s) in an assigned area such as office buildings, shops, power houses, telecommunications data centers, switchyards, reservoirs, dams and other remote locations.  Incumbents may direct the work of contractors.  The Hydro Stationary Engineer ll differs from the Hydro Stationary Engineer l in that it requires expertise in three or more of the skilled trades with some experience in all; HVACR, Building Automation, Fire Systems & Suppression Systems, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Locksmith, Metal Fabrication/ Welding, as well as the performance of semi-skilled general building maintenance work.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides lead direction on specific projects as assigned; organizes and directs work.
• Independently performs preventive and periodic maintenance, installation, operation, repairs, overhaul, rebuilding and troubleshooting in remote locations and inclement weather. The work is performed in one or more of the specific areas described below:
• HVAC/Refrigeration
  
  • Installs, maintains, repairs, overhauls, rebuilds, and troubleshoot HVACR and other equipment in SMUD buildings or plants. Equipment includes commercial/industrial equipment; Scroll Chiller, Primary/Secondary pumps, hydronic cooling systems, resistant heat/gas fired split systems, package units and heat exchangers. . Stand-alone systems include package air conditioners, heat pumps and ice machines.
• Building Automation Systems
  
  • Installs, programs, operates, troubleshoots, repairs, calibrates and maintains centralized building automation control systems, Trend and data analysis, alarm parameters, system optimizations and scheduling of building HVAC systems access. Stand-alone system controls for remote sites, smart thermostats, portable data collectors and space monitors.
• Fire Systems
  
  • Oversees and performs scheduled maintenance, testing, troubleshooting and repair of building fire monitoring and suppression systems for both CO2 and water mist systems. Performs testing.
• Electrical
  
  • Performs electrical installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair on individual HVAC/Mechanical equipment up to and including 3 phase 480 VAC. Knowledge of and ability to work around transmission, distribution, and generation equipment and voltages. Ability to identify voltages, approach distances and arc flash boundaries. Replacement of motors, relays, switches, circuit boards and small panel transformers. Repair powered gates, install and wire low voltage panels and wiring for building automation controls, doors and locks. Builds and installs HVAC control panels.
• Mechanical/Plumbing
  
  • Install, maintain, troubleshoot, repair and modify air Handlers, supply / return fans, exhaust fans, damper assemblies, actuators, air distribution and heat exchangers. Performs welding and metal fabrication. Installs, maintains, troubleshoots, repairs and modifies indoor and outdoor plumbing systems, sewage lift stations, well pumps, water heaters, domestic water booster pumps, and sewage ejection systems.
• Locksmith
  
  • Installs, troubleshoots, repairs and modifies all doors and locks. Replace cores, track key hierarchy and modify doors to install custom hardware and closures. Install access control hardware. Maintain electric gates, electric and mechanical rollup doors.
• Civil Maintenance/Paint
  
  • Perform building modifications including metal fabrication and sheet metal fabrication / welding, Paints interior/exterior walls of buildings, equipment and other surfaces by brush, roller, or sprayer; operates power tools such as sanders, saws, and paint sprayers associated with operations and maintenance SMUD facilities, equipment, and properties. Maintains, cleans and repairs roofs, vegetation management, dam safety functions, general safety functions, transportation and equipment operation, concrete structural, interior work and hazardous materials management. This work includes maintenance of dams in remote locations and long work hours in the wilderness areas.
• Operates SMUD vehicles and equipment including trucks forklifts, scissor lifts, snow removal equipment, bucket trucks, man lifts, fixed cranes, boats and helicopter rigging.

Required Education & Experience Qualifications

• Completion of an approved apprenticeship program in the HVAC or building maintenance trades, such as Stationary Engineers, or completion of an accredited trade program such as the Sacramento City College Mechanical / Electrical Technology program and a minimum of four years journey level work in the installation, operation, repair, maintenance, and troubleshooting of commercial and industrial buildings and equipment. Evidence of equivalent completion of sufficient formal and/or informal education to provide the necessary knowledge and skills.

Required Licenses/Certificates

• Applicants must hold a Universal Refrigerant Transition and Recovery certification.  
• Must possess and maintain a valid California Driver’s License and a satisfactory driving record (not more than two moving violations in the last two years).  A Class “A” driver’s license may be required (and in addition, the position may require a hazardous materials and tanker endorsements) within six (6) months of hire.  
• Candidates appointed to positions requiring the possession/retention of a Class “A” driver’s license must undergo an initial drug and alcohol screen and submit to random drug and alcohol screens as required by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).

Knowledge Of

Basic math and algebra; electrical, pneumatic and direct digital control principles and strategies; HVACR theory and principles; methods of refrigerant transition and recovery; machinery repair; commercial/industrial plumbing systems; industrial safety practices; and preventive maintenance procedures. Building automation systems. Intermediate computer skills to operate mobile technology, Basic understanding of Microsoft Office applications.

Skills To

Troubleshoot and repair electrical up to 480 VAC, mechanical, and plumbing systems and equipment; repair, maintain, and install commercial/industrial HVAC systems; use general shop machinery including MIG, TIG, arc and acetylene welders, drill presses, hydraulic presses, bench grinders, abrasive blast machines, lathes, milling machines, sheet metal shears and brakes, band saws, iron workers and various power hand tools; use instruments and test equipment including manifold gauge sets, refrigerant evacuation and charging equipment, flow hoods, volt/ohm meters, megohm meters, ampmeters, temperature measurement and recording equipment, pneumatic calibration instruments, micrometers, and dial indicators. Read electrical, mechanical, plumbing, architectural and structural blueprints, schematics, and/or control drawings on print and computer; follow oral and written instructions; work without direct supervision; communicate effectively orally and in writing; work in a safe and effective manner; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Desirable Qualifications

• Hands-on journey-level experience in HVACR, building automation, fire systems and suppression systems, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, locksmithing, welding/metal fabrication, and civil maintenance. 
• Practical experience supporting hydroelectric generation facilities, dams, or similarly complex industrial environments. 
• Demonstrated ability to organize work, provide lead direction, and review the work of technicians, contractors, or small teams on multi-disciplinary maintenance and repair projects. 
• Proven skill in troubleshooting and resolving complex issues independently across multiple mechanical, electrical, and facility systems. 
• A strong safety mindset and track record of complying with OSHA, environmental, and utility-related regulations, especially in remote or high-risk worksites.

Physical Requirements

Applicants must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.

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.

 

On-site 

This role will be an on-site role that will require being in person at one of SMUD's campuses daily to complete work tasks.

 

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.