Electrical Engineering Manager - Generation (Exec 2)

City of Seattle, WA

$139K — $230K *
Energy & Utilities
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering or related field
  • 5+ years of progressive management experience in utility operations
  • In-depth knowledge of power generation systems in the electrical utility sector
  • Licensed Professional Electrical Engineer in the United States (within 12 months of appointment for Washington)
  • Experience supervising a diverse organization

Responsibilities

  • Lead a team of 22 employees in developing and maintaining electric power systems for hydroelectric facilities
  • Oversee a $55M annual Capital Improvement Project budget and a $2.2M Operations & Maintenance budget
  • Manage engineering activities for multiple hydro generation projects and high voltage substations
  • Coordinate with various agencies to ensure compliance and communication regarding electric reliability standards
  • Facilitate ongoing employee development and training for engineering staff
  • Administer HR policies and labor contracts while promoting diversity and equity in the workplace
  • Ensure accurate project management and document systems for over 100,000 AutoCAD drawings

Benefits

  • Commitment to diversity and social justice in the workplace
  • Opportunities for professional training and development
  • Engagement in Strategic City-wide initiatives
  • Participation in emergency response programs
  • Exposure to a dynamic work environment with diverse responsibilities
Full Job Description
Salary : $139,645.44 - $230,410.80 Annually
Location : Seattle Municipal Tower, 700 5th Ave., Seattle, WA
Job Type: Civil Service Exempt, Regular, Full-time
Job Number:
Department: Seattle City Light
Opening Date: 08/19/2026
Closing Date: 9/15/2026 4:00 PM Pacific

Position Description
The Electrical Engineering Manager provides management and leadership direction for Generation Operations & Engineering's electrical engineering unit. The position serves as a key member of the management team. The position has four direct reports, and an overall staff of 19 represented Engineers plus administrative and student engineering staff. The Manager has responsibility for oversight of the electrical work of the Generation Engineering Unit which provides professional and technical services in support of our 700 MW Skagit Hydroelectric Project, the 1050 MW Boundary Hydroelectric Project, and 46 MW Cedar Falls/Tolt Hydroelectric Projects.

Successful candidates must demonstrate their commitment to and involvement in activities that create and sustain a workforce free of racism and discrimination and that values multiculturalism and diversity as a workforce and community asset.

This position reports directly to the Engineering & Technology Operations Director.

Job Responsibilities
Here is more about what you'll be doing:
  • Provide management and leadership direction to twenty-two (22) full-time employees who plan, develop and maintain the electric power systems for City Light's hydroelectric generation facilities
  • Participate in the oversight of the Generation Operations & Engineering $55M Capital Improvement Project (CIP) annual budget and manage the $2.2M annual Operations & Maintenance (O&M) budget
  • Provide oversight of engineering activities for 6 Hydro generating projects, including five high voltage substations, which generate and transmit more than 60% of the total power supplied to the City and serving all of City of Seattle residents and the neighboring municipalities, and connecting to both adjacent electric utility intertie partners; the Bonneville Power Administration and Puget Sound Energy. This work involves substantial policy and financial commitment on the part of the Utility and the City.
  • Communicate and coordinate with other agencies such as the north American Electric Reliability Council, the Western Electric Coordinating Council, the Bonneville Power Administration, Puget Sound Energy, Tacoma Power, Snohomish PUD, and other public and private utilities including Columbia Basin Hydro Power (CBHP), Boise Kuna Irrigation District's Lucky Peak Power Plant Project, Pend Oreille County PUD, and Avista Utilities
  • Represent Generation as the lead Subject Matter Expert in all compliance matters affecting the Engineering & Technology Operations Division, provide technical expertise both related to the NERC/WECC Reliability standards, as well NERC/WECC Cyber Security and Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) standards
  • Provide lead directions to the entire electrical engineering staff to ensure that we meet our 20-year vision as well as the 6-year CIP plan to keep the hydro generating facilities operating. Respond to workload changes annually to meet developing conditions in the plants
  • Actively participate in the preparation of capital improvement plans for the planning and design of new electrical facilities and existing hydro generation facilities, Overhaul of (21) synchronous hydro generators, Governor and excitation controls, replacement of large power transformers, high-voltage circuit breakers and other high and medium voltage equipment, replacement and upgrade of fiber-optic, microwave, mobile radio and wired communication facilities
  • Meet regularly with the Power Supply Management Team to review and discuss work planning and interactions with Engineering & Technology Operations Division
  • Meet with the System Operations personnel to develop planned outages, discuss and review projects affecting generation and transmission of power to Seattle, and to solicit dispatcher and System operator needs in hydro plants and switching stations
  • Ensure on-going employee development and professional training for the electrical engineering staff, so they could be ready to provide the necessary expertise to support operations
  • Manage, monitor and administer human resource policies and programs consistently and in support of utility-wide practices to recognize diversity and commitment to racial and social justice
  • Administer labor contract fairly and consistently, respond to grievances in a timely and appropriate manner
  • Manage the transition of construction drawing preparation and management to a formal document system
  • Develop formal Public Works drawing preparation, checking approval and professional engineering stamping of the contract and the in-house project drawings
  • Provide general work assignments and recommend staffing levels
  • Actively participate in the management of SCL's document management system and over 100,000+ AutoCAD drawings and other electronic documents
  • Provide oversight of section workloads, project schedules and budget
  • Actively promote, support and manage key strategic City-wide initiatives including those related to fair and equal employment, diversity and justice in the workplace

Qualifications
Required Qualifications:

In addition to the skills and experience mentioned below, a successful applicant will have experience that reflects a commitment to creating fair and equitable outcomes and has:

Education: Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering or related field is required.

Experience: Substantial management and leadership experience in utility management, operations, engineering or related area of responsibility typically gained through 5 or more years progressively responsible assignments; at least three of which were as a manager or supervisor in a large, complex multicultural and diverse organization. In-depth knowledge of power generation systems within the electrical utility industry.

Certification/License:
  • Licensed Professional Electrical Engineerwithin the United States and up to 12 months after appointment to attain State of Washington registration
  • Washington State Driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility

Desired Qualifications - You will be successful if you have the following experience, skills, and abilities:
  • Master's degree and utility experience preferred
  • In-depth knowledge of power generation systems within the electrical utility industry
  • Knowledge of federal and state regulations related to power generation and electrical standards
  • Knowledge of public sector organization practices, including labor relations
  • Skilled in creating and delivering public presentations to a variety of constituents
  • Experience managing shifting priorities with very little direction
  • Experience recruiting and managing a multicultural and diverse staff that possesses various skills
  • Ability to coach, counsel and develop employees, including those of different racial, cultural and demographic backgrounds
  • Ability to provide management direction in an environment of change; willingness to make difficult and challenging decisions, and provide clear expectations and directions
  • Commitment to fostering creativity and problem solving
  • Ability to perform work in the field; field assignments may entail exposure to all types of weather, traffic, hazardous/toxic substances, high voltage energized equipment and work in or near construction sites

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Emergency Response Commitment:

Seattle City Light is committed to reliable service during emergencies. Through our Emergency Response Program, each employee is assigned a role-usually aligned with their regular duties-to support emergency operations. Your participation is required and vital to helping the utility stay prepared and serve our community when it matters most.

Additional Information
The full salary range for this position is $66.88 to $110.35 per hour ($139,645.44 - $230,410.80 annually).

Application Process

Please submit the following with your online application:
  • A cover letter in which you clearly describe how your knowledge, experience, skills, and abilities prepare you for the job responsibilities and qualifications outlined in the job announcement
  • A current resume of your educational and professional work experience.

Incomplete applications may not be accepted.

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