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Senior Mechanical Engineer

California Energy Commission

Sacramento, CA · HybridFull-time$11,427–14,298/moSeen todaySeen in employer's feed today

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At a glance

Compensation
$11,427–14,298/mo
Location
Sacramento, CAHybrid
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
Not specified

Olive lists jobs from US employers, including remote roles you can work from the United States.

Job overview

The California Energy Commission seeks a Senior Mechanical Engineer for its Inspections and Investigations Unit. The role serves as a technical resource on mechanical engineering and power plants, helps organize compliance inspections and incident investigations, and conducts inspections and investigations. It is remote-centered, with at least 50 percent of work from an alternate location, while limited in-person attendance and occasional travel may be required. California residency is required.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Mechanical EngineeringPower Plant EngineeringFire Protection SystemsWorker Safety RegulationsHazard ManagementHazardous Materials ManagementPower Generating SystemsEnergy Storage SystemsThermal Power Plant DesignBattery Energy Storage DesignConstructionOperationsCalifornia Building Standards CodeIndustrial InspectionsPower Facility InspectionsNFPA StandardsCal/OSHA RegulationsWritten CommunicationVerbal CommunicationInspectionsInvestigations

Qualifications

Professional Engineer LicenseTwo Years Inspection and Investigation ExperienceCalifornia ResidencySenior Mechanical Engineer Exam

Full job description

Senior Mechanical Engineer SENIOR MECHANICAL ENGINEER

$11,427.00 - $14,298.00 per Month New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 11/16/2026

Job Description and Duties

*Pending Department of Finance approval Under the general direction of the Program and Project Supervisor, Safety & Reliability Branch, the Senior Mechanical Engineer serves as the high-level resource specialist and subject-matter expert that performs difficult mechanical engineering work and technical work relating to power plants along with a variety of supervisory, planning, technical and policy analyses, and feedback to staff on written work products. The incumbent helps plan and organize the inspection team conducting compliance inspections of power plants and ancillary facilities and conducting investigations of incidents, accidents or any violations that are in violation of the Energy Commission license. The incumbent will also conduct compliance inspections of power plants and ancillary facilities and conduct investigations of incidents, accidents or any violations that are in violation of the Energy Commission license. The SME will also be able to lead and be responsible for applying varied, difficult, and complex technical knowledge related to fire protection systems, worker safety regulations, hazards and hazardous material management, and power generating and storage systems. Minimum Qualifications (MQs): The MQs for this classification can be found at Senior Mechanical Engineer (https://eservices.calhr.ca.gov/enterprisehrblazorpublic/Public/ClassSpec/ClassSpecDetail/3579) classification specification. The documents you submit in your application package must highlight how you meet the MQs. If the MQs are not met, you will not be considered for this position. Education Information: If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications for this classification, please provide your unofficial transcripts. Applicants who completed their education outside of the United States (with foreign degrees/transcripts) must provide evaluated transcripts. The transcript evaluation must state the number of units to which foreign coursework is equal. Foreign education evaluation services can be found at https://www.naces.org . Official transcripts and official foreign degree transcripts will be required prior to appointment. If you are not using education to qualify for this classification, you do not need to submit transcripts. To bypass the required document, select Choose/Upload and select Bypass File. Please let us know how you heard about this position by taking a brief survey at CEC Recruitment Survey (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CECRecruitmentSurvey) .

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement (https://www.CalCareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/FileDownload.aspx?aid=34093666&name=710-3579-001SeniorMechanicalEngineerDutyStatement-Final.pdf) .

Working Conditions

The CEC supports a hybrid workplace model with office-based and remote-centered workers. Limited in-person attendance and occasional travel may be required based on the needs of the division. Regular and consistent attendance is essential to successful performance. This position is remote-centered, which means the incumbent works 50 percent or more of their time from an alternate work location. Teleworking is only available for employees who reside in California. You must be located in California and provide your in-state address prior to your start date.

Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:

JC-538130

Position #(s):

535-710-3579-001

Working Title:

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Classification:

SENIOR MECHANICAL ENGINEER

$11,427.00 - $14,298.00

New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

of Positions:

1

Work Location:

Sacramento County

Telework:

Hybrid

Job Type:

Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

The CEC was established by the Legislature in 1974 to address energy challenges facing the state. Today, the CEC is the state's primary energy policy and planning agency and is leading the state to a 100% clean energy future. Serving all Californians, the CEC embodies diversity, equity, and inclusion, and has taken an active and meaningful role in creating an environment that enables each employee to thrive. The CEC operates under the umbrella of the California Natural Resources Agency and shares offices with the agency in a LEED Platinum Certified Building (https://resources.ca.gov/About-Us/our-new-headquarters) in downtown Sacramento. The California Energy Commission seeks a Senior Mechanical Engineer in the Siting, Transmission, and Environmental Protection Division / Safety and Reliability Branch / Inspections and Investigations Unit. If you are interested in a challenging and exciting career in clean energy and are passionate about renewable, efficient, and reliable energy that addresses climate change, join our diverse team of global energy leaders! The California Energy Commission plays a lead role in creating the energy system of the future, not just in California, but globally. This position is open to interested applicants who qualify.This can be a multi-step process.To be eligible to be hired:1) Create an online CalCareers (https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHRPublic/CreateNewAccount.aspx) account. For a tutorial on the state application process, visit California State Hiring Process Instructional Video Series – YouTube or contact [email protected] . 2) Complete and pass the Senior Mechanical Engineer exa (https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=2581) m to be eligible to be hired for available positions. See information on Energy Commission Assessments and Exams (https://www.energy.ca.gov/careers/examsassessments) . 3) To apply for this position, submit an application package through your CalCareers account. An application package must include all items under the “Required Application Package Documents” section. Resumes will not be accepted in place of a State Examination and Employment Application (STD. 678). Applications must include “to” and “from” dates (month/day/year), time base (full-time/part-time/number of hours per week/month), and applicable civil service classifications. State employees are subjected to a temporary reduction in pay in exchange of 2025 Personal Leave Program (PLP) accruals. The specific reduction rate and hours were negotiated and agreed upon by each bargaining unit agreement.

Special Requirements

You must include the following if you are applying by mail or in person: 1) How you are eligible (list eligibility, transfer within state service, reinstatement, SROA/surplus, etc.) in the Explanations box on the first page of the STD. 678. 2) The Job Control number 538130 and the title of the position you are applying for in the Examination(s) or Job Title(s) box on the first page of the STD. 678. 3) Request for Personnel Action Number RPA 710-107 in the Explanations box of the STD. 678. 4) Your original signature at the bottom of the first page of the STD. 678. 5) Include unofficial school transcripts with your application package if the position you are applying for has an educational requirement. You may be required to provide official transcripts if hired.

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 11/16/2026

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

California Energy Commission

Personnel Office - Postal

Attn: RPA 710-107|JC-538130

715 P Street, MS-3

Sacramento , CA 95814

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

California Energy Commission

Personnel Office - Drop Off

RPA 710-107|JC-538130

715 P Street, MS-3

Sacramento , CA 95814

08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

  • Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.

  • Resume is required and must be included.

  • School Transcripts

  • Other - Cover Letter – Include a cover letter of no more than one page in length describing why you are the best candidate for this position.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

  1. Professional Engineer License. 2) Experience with thermal power plant and battery energy storage system design, construction, and operation. 3) Experience with the California Building Standards Code. 4) Experience with performing inspections at industrial/and or power generating facilities related to National Fire Protection Association standards and Cal/OHSA regulations. 5) Proficient written and verbal communication skills.6) Minimum of two years of experience conducting inspections and performing investigations.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR (https://www.calhr.ca.gov/Pages/California-State-Civil-Service-Employee-Benefits-Summary.aspx) website and the CalPERS (https://www.calpers.ca.gov/) website.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

How this job compares

Set against the 7,581 open Mechanical Engineer jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 6, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$11,427–14,298/mo
  • California median$129–180K/yr1,045 salary ranges
  • California median$45–55/hr40 hourly ranges
Openings
Olive Jobs lists 1,323 open Mechanical Engineer jobs in California and 7,581 across the US. 2% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most in California
Experience
Mechanical Engineer postings that state a minimum ask for 5 years of experience at the median; the middle half ask for 3 to 7 years (6,303 postings).
Education
5,234 of the 7,581 open Mechanical Engineer jobs (69%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 6, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.

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