Quality Operations Specialist

About the Team

The Electric Compliance Assurance department sits within the Electric Risk & Compliance organization. Together, we embed compliance and risk into every aspect of our operations to achieve regulatory outcomes that support the business. Our mission is critical: we identify compliance challenges and areas of risk so they can be fixed. The department focuses on identifying compliance risks, mitigating them through incident reporting and investigations, overseeing Electric Operations and Power Generation Corrective Action Plans (CAP), and validating organizational controls.

About the Role

PG&E is seeking an experienced business professional to join the Electric Compliance Controls Validation Team. This role serves as a high-visibility partner to PG&E leadership, supporting the identification of external rules and regulations, confirming the controls in place to meet them, and performing design and operating effectiveness testing. The goal is to identify opportunities for improvement to ensure controls are implemented and effective.

A strong candidate will bring deep technical, regulatory, and operational expertise to benchmark requirements internally and externally, validate process controls, and summarize findings. Your work will directly strengthen PG&E's safety culture and compliance posture, reinforcing our commitment that "Everyone and Everything is Always Safe." You will advance enterprise learning, transparency, and continuous improvement across investigations.

This position operates in a hybrid model, working from a remote office and an assigned office based on business needs. The location is flexible within PG&E's service territory, with occasional travel (20% to 40%) required for meetings and site visits across the region. Candidates must reside within PG&E's service territory.

Hiring Process

Application Review: Candidates are evaluated based on their experience in utility operations or highly regulated industries, specifically regarding causal evaluation methods and investigations.
Interview Rounds: The process includes discussions with the hiring manager and team members to assess technical expertise, regulatory knowledge, and cultural fit.
Leadership Engagement: Due to the high level of visibility required, candidates may engage with senior and executive leaders to discuss findings and strategic direction.
Offer: Final selection is made on a case-by-case basis, considering specific skills, education, experience, market value, and geographic location.

Equal Opportunity Employer

PG&E is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We consider qualified applicants regardless of background, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. We strive to foster an environment where everyone can contribute to our shared mission of safety and compliance.

Work location

Work model: Hybrid

High Street, East Oakland, Oakland, Alameda County, California, 94601, United States

Oakland, California

Key Responsibilities

check_circleDevelop and refine processes to identify external regulatory requirements and validate process controls
check_circleDesign controls and metrics to monitor and evaluate the success of compliance controls
check_circleInvestigate medium to high-risk process controls and prepare summary findings for senior leaders
check_circleDevelop strategy and action plans to coach stakeholders on corrective actions
check_circleResolve escalations to Director-level and Vice President-level within complex organizational situations
check_circleCollaborate with directors and managers across organizations to influence decisions
check_circleProvide direction and coaching to less experienced team members
check_circleReview failure data and recommend improvements to enhance process performance

Requirements

verifiedBA/BS Degree or equivalent work experience
verified10 years of progressive experience in utility operations or highly regulated industry
verified4 years of experience with causal evaluation methods and investigations in the utility industry
verifiedDeep understanding of California and Federal regulatory programs related to Electric Operations
verifiedKnowledge of operations, maintenance, and engineering program processes and procedures
verifiedCertified Internal Auditor (CIA) or equivalent
verifiedCausal Evaluation Certification (e.g., Barrier Analysis, Fault Tree, 5-Whys, HFACS)
verifiedLean Six Sigma Certification
verifiedCertified Project Management Professional (PMP)
verifiedCertified Compliance & Ethics Professional (CCEP)

Nice to Have

PhD or Master's Degree or equivalent experience. Advanced experience (5-12+ years) in regulatory oversight, audit readiness, and leadership. Deep understanding of California and Federal regulatory programs related to Electric Operations. Knowledge of operations, maintenance, and engineering program processes and procedures. Proven ability to prepare materials for and effectively communicate/present highly complex findings to senior and executive leaders with clarity, gain consensus on path forward. Proven experience in process map/controls documentation and evaluation and/or structured process improvement or process reengineering. Ability to interview personnel at all levels to validate process and controls. Knowledge of work methods and procedures in order to accurately identify risks and areas for improvement. Ability to work independently and be effective in team settings. Leadership or facilitation training (e.g., crucial conversations and facilitative leadership). Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) or equivalent. Completion of professional auditor training. Causal Evaluation Certification (e.g., Barrier Analysis, Fault Tree, 5-Whys, HFACS). Certification in Causal Evaluation (e.g., Conger/Elsie, Tonex, Cocrane (Firebird), Apollo, ASQ, TapRooT®, ISO9000, Sologic, Cause Mapping, or equivalent). Lean Six Sigma Certification. Certified Project Management Professional (PMP). Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional (CCEP). Professional Engineer (P.E.).

Skills, education and keywords

Skills: Barrier Analysis, Fault Tree, 5-WHYS, Hfacs, Taproot, Iso9000, Sologic, Cause Mapping, Lean Six Sigma, PMP.

Education: Master's Degree or equivalent experience desired.

Frequently asked questions about Principal Quality Operations Specialist at Pacific Gas and Electric Company

What does a Principal Quality Operations Specialist at Pacific Gas and Electric Company do?expand_more

A Principal Quality Operations Specialist at Pacific Gas and Electric Company is responsible for the following: Develop and refine processes to identify external regulatory requirements and validate process controls; Design controls and metrics to monitor and evaluate the success of compliance controls; Investigate medium to high-risk process controls and prepare summary findings for senior leaders; and Develop strategy and action plans to coach stakeholders on corrective actions.

What are the requirements for this Principal Quality Operations Specialist role?expand_more

Pacific Gas and Electric Company is looking for candidates who meet the following requirements: BA/BS Degree or equivalent work experience; 10 years of progressive experience in utility operations or highly regulated industry; 4 years of experience with causal evaluation methods and investigations in the utility industry; Deep understanding of California and Federal regulatory programs related to Electric Operations; Knowledge of operations, maintenance, and engineering program processes and procedures; and Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) or equivalent.

Where is the Principal Quality Operations Specialist role at Pacific Gas and Electric Company located?expand_more

Principal Quality Operations Specialist at Pacific Gas and Electric Company is based in High Street, East Oakland, Oakland, Alameda County, California, 94601, United States. This is a hybrid role.

Is this Principal Quality Operations Specialist job remote, hybrid, or on-site?expand_more

Pacific Gas and Electric Company has listed this Principal Quality Operations Specialist role as hybrid.

How much experience is required for this Principal Quality Operations Specialist role?expand_more

Principal Quality Operations Specialist at Pacific Gas and Electric Company typically requires 10+ years of relevant experience at the lead level.

What skills do you need for the Principal Quality Operations Specialist role at Pacific Gas and Electric Company?expand_more

Key skills for Principal Quality Operations Specialist at Pacific Gas and Electric Company include Barrier Analysis; Fault Tree; 5-WHYS; Hfacs; Taproot; Iso9000; Sologic; and Cause Mapping.

What education is required for Principal Quality Operations Specialist at Pacific Gas and Electric Company?expand_more

Educational requirements for this role: Master's Degree or equivalent experience desired.

What category does the Principal Quality Operations Specialist role belong to?expand_more

Principal Quality Operations Specialist at Pacific Gas and Electric Company is part of the engineering job category on Recrutus.

Principal Quality Operations Specialist