Electrical Designer - Vista

Electrical Designer - Vista

At Salas O’Brien we tell our clients that we’re engineered for impact. This passion for making a difference applies just as much to our team as it does to our projects. That’s why we’re committed to living our values every day: inspiring, achieving, and connecting as shared owners of our success with a focus on a sustainable future.

Building for the long-term means that all of our team members can expect to work on amazing projects with a people-first approach to problem solving. It also means that each member of our team has truly limitless potential to build a unique, meaningful, and high-impact career-and they’ll receive great total rewards along the way.

About Us:

Founded in 1975, Salas O’Brien is an employee-owned engineering and professional services firm focused on achieving impact for our clients, our team, and the world. We know that tomorrow’s requirements are today’s opportunities, and we are here to design lasting solutions for pressing challenges.

We work across a variety of industries providing integrated engineering and consulting services. Our specialized experience includes design for data centers, healthcare, science and technology, high-rise buildings, clean energy, education, and other building types as well as structural and building sciences, infrastructure asset management, advanced robotics, and more.

Our technical expertise is paired with an exceptional team of business development, human resources, finance and accounting, information technology, and marketing professionals, all of whom play a key role in bringing our commitments to life every day.

Job Summary:

We are seeking a motivated, detail-oriented, and enthusiastic Electrical Designer to join our growing team. This is an entry-level position that offers the opportunity to develop technical skills while supporting the design of electrical systems for a variety of project types, including educational, healthcare, military, hospitality, multifamily residential, and commercial facilities.

The successful candidate will work closely with experienced engineers, project managers, and other design professionals to produce construction documents and learn all aspects of electrical systems design within a consulting engineering environment. This role is ideal for a recent graduate or early-career professional looking to build a long-term career in electrical engineering consulting.

Primary Responsibilities

• Assist senior engineers and designers with the design of electrical systems for commercial, educational, healthcare, hospitality, multifamily, military, and government facilities.
• Prepare electrical plans, one-line diagrams, panel schedules, and construction documents utilizing AutoCAD and Revit.
• Perform electrical load calculations, voltage drop calculations, and conductor sizing calculations under the direction of senior engineers and project managers.
• Assist in the design and layout of:
  • Normal and emergency power distribution systems
  • Emergency generators and transfer switches
  • Switchgear, switchboards, panelboards, and transformers
  • Grounding and bonding systems
  • Lighting and lighting control systems
• Support lighting layouts and photometric calculations using industry-standard software.
• Research applicable NEC, NFPA 70, California Building Code, and California Energy Code requirements.
• Coordinate with architectural, structural, mechanical, plumbing, and other project disciplines.
• Participate in site surveys and field investigations to document existing conditions.
• Assist with specification preparation and editing.
• Support construction administration activities, including submittal reviews, RFI responses, and contractor coordination.
• Maintain project documentation and support project delivery efforts to meet quality standards, schedules, and budgets.
• Participate in training and professional development opportunities to expand technical knowledge and skills.

Qualifications and Experience

Required:

• Associate's degree in Electrical Engineering Technology, Engineering Technology, Drafting/Design Technology, or related technical field; OR equivalent education and training.
• Internship, co-op, academic project, or other relevant experience in electrical design, drafting, or building systems is preferred but not required.
• Basic understanding of building electrical systems and design principles.
• Familiarity with AutoCAD or similar drafting software.
• Exposure to Revit through coursework, internship, or personal experience preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products (Excel, Outlook, Teams, and Word).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.
• Demonstrated willingness to learn and grow in a consulting engineering environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Internship or co-op experience with an engineering, architecture, construction, or consulting firm.
• Exposure to electrical construction documents through coursework or work experience.
• Familiarity with NEC requirements and building codes.
• Experience using AutoCAD and/or Revit.
• Experience working on academic, commercial, healthcare, multifamily, or government-related projects.
• Progress toward EIT certification.

Education

• Associate's Degree in Electrical Engineering Technology or related technical field preferred.
• Equivalent technical training, military experience or relevant experience will be considered.

Location: Vista, CA (Hybrid, first three months in office)

Travel: Travel up to 10% for site visits, field investigations, and project meetings.

Compensation & Benefits:

The expected hourly compensation range for this role is $28-35 USD per hour. Actual compensation will be determined based on a number of factors including skills, experience, qualifications, and location.

This role is also eligible for performance-based bonuses, equity participation, and a comprehensive U.S.-based benefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and company holidays
• Wellness programs and employee assistance resources
• Professional development support

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement

Salas O’Brien provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, colour, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/provincial, or local laws. Salas O’Brien will accommodate the disability-related needs of applicants as required by law.

Third-Party Agency Notice

Salas O’Brien does not accept unsolicited resumes from external recruiters or agencies. We only work with approved partners engaged directly by our Talent Acquisition team for specific searches. Unsolicited submissions will not be eligible for placement fees.