Network Engineer Operations Technology Journey

Department: OT Network Engineering

Location:

Sacramento, CA, US, 95817

Category: Information Technology/Telecommunications

Minimum Pay Rate: $118,726.40

Maximum Pay Rate: $157,310.40

Civil Service Status: Civil Service

Apply by Date: 01/02/2026

Posting Type: Open

SMUD's Operations Technology Network Engineering team is looking to fill a full time OT Network Engineer -Journey position. The OT Network Engineering team provides the network connectivity for the supervisory and control of SMUD's generation, transmission, and distribution substations. The team is pursuing major initiatives to transform SMUD's SONET and Distribution Automation networks to meet the needs of grid modernization and lay the foundation for future business requirements. In addition, the group provides for the reliable and cost-effective transport of SMUD's voice, data, and video signals. This includes planning, justifying, budgeting, designing, constructing, operating, and administering the systems that transport those signals. The transport systems include fiber optics, microwave radio, two-way radio, metallic cables, and leased services/circuits.

Purpose

To perform technical system engineering, implementation, support and maintenance for SMUD’s Operations Technology (OT) network infrastructure, ensuring that SMUD's use of technology supports its current and future business practices; and manage the purchase, installation, and support of network communications, including LAN/WAN systems.

Nature and Scope

There are four (4) levels in this job classification series that have similar job content but with progressively more challenging degrees and levels of skill, responsibility, knowledge, experience and qualification requirements:

Flex Classifications (that permit progression from lower-level classes to higher level classes without examination based upon assessment of an individual's experience and performance) within the series:

- Entry: Incumbent acquires knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the tasks associated within the series but are not yet demonstrating these at the Journey level.

- Journey: Incumbent is demonstrating the required skills and knowledge to independently perform the full scope of the job.

Non-Flex Classifications (that promote from lower-level classes to higher level classes and require an examination, such as an interview, based upon individual experience and performance) within the series:

- Senior: Advanced journey level resource who is responsible for advanced assignments, as dictated by the work needing to be performed; may serve in a lead role.

- Principal: Subject matter expert/lead level and is responsible for leading the most advanced work, as dictated by the work needing to be performed.

Entry to Journey: Incumbents at the entry level are required to successfully “progress” to the journey level within 60 months of appointment to remain within the job series.

Seniors and Principals must be hired through a promotional process and do not automatically progress from lower levels in the series.

Duties and Responsibilities

- Assists in the design and implementation of a large complex utility WAN and data center networks.

- Assists operational personnel to monitor networks to assess and make recommendations to improve performance.

- Assesses the risk of adds, changes, and migrations to the network, and plan cutovers.

- Performs firewall architecture, administration, and development of network security model in accordance with industry best practices and approved compliance standards, such as NERC.

- Interacts with equipment vendors, corporate IT, electrical engineers, field resources, and control center resources.

- Develops MPLS/IP networking standards.

- Performs contract management and execution, including RFP’s, RFI’s, etc.

- Assists with solution scoping for technology and resource requirements.

- Works on complex problems where assessment of a situation requires in-depth evaluation of various factors.

- Assists in planning large-scale system projects through vendor comparison and cost studies.

- Performs other related duties as needed to include working outside of typical business hours when necessary.

Required Education

- Bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field from an accredited college or university, or equivalent professional experience. If no degree, seven or more (7+) years of relevant experience is required.

Required Experience Qualifications

- At least three (3+) years relevant professional experience in Wide Area Network/Operations Technology Network and/or Data Center Technology Network field or other closely related experience.

Knowledge Of

Migrating from legacy technologies, such as SONET, Frame-Relay and VLANs, to VXLAN; network security technologies such as L4-L7 firewalls, IPSec, PKI, IPS, Multitenancy; operational tools including NMS, AAA, SIEM, process orchestration; automating use-cases via scripting (Python, JavaScript, Powershell); compute technologies including virtualization, server, storage, and enterprise applications; fundamentals and practices of computer systems and related assessment and design; computer operating systems, local area networks and data communications software and hardware; network technology and environment; fundamentals and practices of network design, configuration, security and maintenance; servers, server operations and operating systems; relational and spatial databases, including database systems, structure, applications, and operations; computer operating systems such as Windows Server and Linux.

Skills To

Perform technical documentation and network diagramming; demonstrate analytical, deductive reasoning and troubleshooting skills; interact with personnel on all levels of the organization; work on one’s own or as a member of the team; communicate orally and in writing; set priorities, meet deadlines and multi-task with minimal or no supervision; research hardware/software technologies.

Desirable Qualifications

- Experience with MPLS service provider, large corporate MPLS network or complex multi-tenant network with advanced technologies

- Cisco CCNP, CCIE or similar industry certification

- Prior utility experience

- Enterprise architecture experience is desirable

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.

Hybrid Work

This position will be required to work onsite one or more days a week on a regular basis; sometimes more or less, depending on the work and, at any of our SMUD locations. SMUD takes pride in powering the Sacramento region community where we live and work. We value the strong working relationships we develop with our colleagues. Our approach to remote work will continue to evolve. Please be aware that should SMUD’s business needs change, emergencies occur, or various other reasons arise, you may be required to report onsite on a part-time or full-time basis.

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.

SMUD provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. SMUD complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

SMUD expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of SMUD employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated.

Req ID: 2628

Nearest Major Market: Sacramento