System Protection Engineer Intern

Job Description

System Protection Engineer Intern | PG&E

The Tone:
This is an internship at PG&E, located onsite in Fresno, CA. PG&E is dedicated to ensuring the safe and reliable operation of its extensive transmission and distribution systems. This role provides foundational training in system protection, directly supporting critical energy infrastructure, and contributes to practical utility protection engineering practices within a leading energy company. The intern will gain hands-on exposure under the guidance of seasoned engineers.

The TL;DR
• Role: Internship
• Type: Onsite
• Location: Fresno, CA
• Pay: $24.52–$35.37 hourly
• Team: System Protection Engineering department within PG&E’s Electric Engineering organization
• Mission: Provide foundational training in transmission and distribution system protection to ensure safe and reliable energy delivery through specialized engineering support.

What You’ll Actually Do
• Project and M&O Support: Assist with transmission and distribution protection engineering projects and maintenance & operations activities under direct supervision.
• Design and Documentation: Support the development of protection design requirements, create detailed relay settings documentation, and formulate robust testing procedures.
• System Analysis: Contribute to the review and analysis of system disturbances, monitor relay operations, and investigate operating events to ensure system integrity.
• Technical Documentation: Assist in the preparation and diligent maintenance of crucial technical documentation, comprehensive reports, and accurate engineering records.
• Standards and Evaluation: Support equipment evaluation processes, facilitate approval procedures, and contribute to the ongoing development of protection standards.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Currently earning a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electric Power Engineering, or a closely related engineering field from an accredited university. Must be continuing education towards the degree during and/or after the internship period.
• Experience: Entry-level; prior engineering experience within utilities, municipalities, construction, or engineering consultation firms is desired.
• Skills: Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities, excellent oral and written communication skills, and demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Bonus: EIT (Engineer-in-Training) or FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) certification, a cumulative and major GPA of 2.75 or greater, and a proactive approach with the ability to work independently.