SDG&E | Engineering Associate
Rotation Program & Internship Program
Engineers are the backbone of SDG&E and are critical to the day-to-day success of all operating groups. Associates and interns have the opportunity to gain experience by working with industry experts and utilizing leading technologies to deliver clean, safe and reliable energy services to more than 32 million customers in our service territory. Our three engineering disciplines (Civil, Electrical & Mechanical) allow our employees to assist in the design, analysis and maintenance of our infrastructure and dynamic construction projects.
INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Our summer interns enjoy a flexible schedule during their 10 to 12-week paid internship Engineering assignment. Interns work closely with associates and industry experts to grow their skills and engineering knowledge. Interns may also qualify to join the Associate Rotation Program after graduation.
Desired Candidate Attributes:
- Strong communication Skills
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Good computer skills
- Relevant coursework
- Leadership activities
- Community Involvement
- Ability to work independently
- Strong problem-solving skills
Summer Internship includes:
- Networking Events
- Competitive Compensation
- Travel Reimbursement
- 401K Contribution
- Cash Balance Plan Contribution
- Utility Industry Experience
- Facility Tour Opportunities
Electrical Engineering Program Overview
The Associate Electrical Engineer position provides the inexperienced engineer an opportunity to acquire experience and proficiency in performing fundamental engineering work.
The Electrical Engineer Rotational program is an 18-month program, in which participants are recruited from various colleges, and are hired as Associate Engineers. As an Associate Engineer, they are required to complete three 6-month rotations in three different areas of the company. This allows the participants to decide the path they are interested in by providing them with the opportunity to experience several different departments.
Roles and Responsibilities:
- Prepare engineering computations
- Investigate and analyze problems
- Develop solutions
- Conduct test of instruments, materials, equipment and controls to determine operating characteristics
- Prepare reports and write instructions
Rotations are offered across 10+ organizations:
- System Protection & Controls
- Electric Distribution Engineering
- Substation Engineering
- Electric Transmission Engineering
- Electric Transmission Planning
- Electric Distribution Planning
- Grid Operations
- Distribution Operations
- Electric Generation
- Distributed Energy Resources
Benefits:
- Develop your skills
- Grow your professional network
- Present to senior leaders and peers
- Participate in mentoring programs
- Competitive compensations and benefits
- Work/life balance and stability
- Socially responsible Fortune 500 company
Requirements:
- Ongoing authorization to work in the U.S. without company sponsorship
- Associates must have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering
Civil Engineering Program Overview
The Associate Civil Engineer position provides the inexperienced engineer an opportunity to acquire experience and proficiency in performing fundamental engineering work.
The Civil Engineer Rotational program is an 18-month program, in which participants are recruited from various colleges, and are hired as Associate Engineers. As an Associate Engineer, they are required to complete four rotations in different areas of the company. This allows the participants to decide the path they are interested in by providing them with the opportunity to experience several different departments.
Roles and Responsibilities:
- Prepare engineering computations
- Investigate and analyze problems
- Develop solutions
- Conduct test of instruments, materials, equipment and controls to determine operating characteristics
- Prepare reports and write instructions
Rotations are offered across multiple organizations:
- Civil Engineering
- Construction & Operations
- Electric Distribution Engineering
- Substation Engineering
- Electric Transmission Engineering
Benefits:
- Develop your skills
- Grow your professional network
- Present to senior leaders and peers
- Participate in mentoring programs
- Competitive compensations and benefits
- Work/life balance and stability
- Socially responsible Fortune 500 company
Requirements:
- Ongoing authorization to work in the U.S. without company sponsorship
- Associates must have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Civil Engineering
Mechanical Engineering Program Overview
The Associate Mechanical Engineer position provides the inexperienced engineer an opportunity to acquire experience and proficiency in performing fundamental engineering work.
The Engineer Rotational program is an 18-month program, in which participants are recruited from various colleges, and are hired as Associate Engineers. As an Associate Engineer, they are required to complete 3 rotations in different areas of the company. This allows the participants to decide the path they are interested in by providing them with the opportunity to experience several different departments.
Roles and Responsibilities:
- Prepare engineering computations
- Investigate and analyze problems
- Develop solutions
- Conduct test of instruments, materials, equipment and controls to determine operating characteristics
- Prepare reports and write instructions
Rotations are offered across multiple organizations:
- Gas Engineering
- Power Generation
- Micro Grid and Energy Storage
- Many more!
Benefits:
- Develop your skills
- Grow your professional network
- Present to senior leaders and peers
- Participate in mentoring programs
- Competitive compensations and benefits
- Work/life balance and stability
- Socially responsible Fortune 500 company
Requirements:
- Ongoing authorization to work in the U.S. without company sponsorship
- Associates must have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering
Areas of Opportunity
- Advanced Technology Integration
- Civil/Structural Engineering
- Distribution Engineering
- Electric Distribution Engineering
- Field Engineering/Operations
- Gas Design
- Gas Region Engineering
- Grid Operations
- Major Projects
- Distributed Energy Resources
- Substation Engineering
- System Protection Engineering
- Transmission Planning
- Ongoing authorization to work in the U.S. without company sponsorship
- Interns must be currently pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from an ABET Accredited Program in Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering
- Associates must have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from an ABET Accredited Program in Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering
What is the best advice you can give to someone who just started their career at SDG&E?
The best advice I would provide a newly hired SDG&E employee would be to ask a lot of questions, get involved in all the employee organizations you can and most importantly, understand the safety culture at SDG&E. The safety culture at SDG&E is a driving force behind many of the company’s decisions and processes; it is key to be aware of it and to be involved. You should also join organizations such as the Diversity & Inclusion Councils or Environmental All Stars. These groups are a great way to meet new people and network with employees from other departments.
To what do you attribute your career advancement and development within SDG&E?
A high level of employee engagement from senior engineering management, coupled with a robust mentorship program at the company, ensured that I always felt valued and that my contributions mattered. Meaningful guidance from experienced mentors in conjunction with the rotational program gave me a substantial understanding of company goals and objectives across departments.
How has your experience in the rotation contributed to your professional development?
The rotation program challenges you to meet a lot of new people. It ensures you are fluid in your communication skills. Whether it’s talking to your direct supervisor, your coworkers or customers, the rotation program helps prepare you for many different scenarios and communication styles. No matter where you work in the company, the common theme of teamwork is unmatched. Being able to communicate effectively, no matter the group, will guarantee you are set up for success in future leadership opportunities in any career path.
What did you enjoy most about your experience in the program?
I enjoyed the opportunity to gain exposure to multiple parts of our company. Entering with a Mechanical Engineering degree didn’t limit my placement, and I got the opportunity to work in other departments, Gas Operations and Customer Programs, that were outside my background . The associate program provided me with an in-depth hands-on experience with three different groups, let me identify out what type of work best motivated me, and I gained a deeper understanding of how the company functions. Today, I am an Engineer I with approximately five years at SDG&E. I recognize that some connections I made as an associate and the experience gained in the program have been invaluable in my career.
How would you describe the college recruiting experience and how did it impact your decision to join SDG&E?
The college recruitment process allowed me to meet with several engineers who shared their experiences with me. It painted a picture of a great company to work for, that I can now ascertain as accurate. Along with relocating to sunny San Diego from Howard University, the rotation program and its benefits had the biggest impact in my decision to join SDG&E.
What are some valuable skills you developed during the Engineering rotation program?
The Associate Engineering Rotation Program equipped me with an array of valuable technical and leadership skills. If I had to highlight a select few, I would say that my most notable skills I sharpened and acquired through the program are situational awareness, analytical thinking, critical problem-solving, effective teamwork (interpersonal skills) and attention to detail. I can honestly say that a combination of these skills, tied in with the great quality of people I work with, attribute to the success of every role I’ve held throughout my career at SDG&E.
ABOUT US
SDG&E lit its first lamp on San Diego streets in 1881. Today, SDG&E is an innovative San Diego-based electric and gas utility that is guided by its mission to improve lives and communities by building the cleanest, safest and most reliable energy company in America. It provides safe, reliable and clean energy to its 3.6 million consumers in San Diego and southern Orange Counties.
Based on your engineering background (Electrical, Civil, Mechanical) and your individual interest
Mentors are assigned by the MAG Team. Associates will have a Manager/Director mentor and peer mentor. Interns will have manager or director mentor. We try to assign you a mentor with similar professional interests that will help you develop and grow.
Your rotation or internship assignment team will provide you with on the job training. You will also have access to our robust online training resources as well as company trainings.
In our programs, you will grow your technical skills through your assignments and any training that you take. You will grow your professional skills through the various networking opportunities that we provide in the Associate Rotation program and Internship program. We also provide leadership growth opportunities within our programs.
Although we heavily rely on our internship as an extended interview process for the rotation program, we often hire recent graduates into the program who have not completed an internship.
Yes. A member of the human resources department can address your application or requisition issues. Please submit a request via our Application Issues Form.
If you have a disability that impacts your ability to complete the job application process and would like to request assistance or a reasonable accommodation, please submit a request via this Accommodation Request Form.