Salary: $113,568.00 - $159,910.40 Annually
Location : Tacoma, WA
Job Type: Non-Classified
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: T0130-26A
Department: Power
Division: Generation
Opening Date: 07/24/2026
Closing Date: 8/14/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

Position Description
Tacoma Power's Generation division is seeking a Power Systems Engineer, to join their team. This is an entry-level to mid-level Engineering position that has growth potential into the organization.

Working under the guidance of the Professional Licensed Civil Engineers, this position will be responsible for the implementation and coordination of the Dam Safety Surveillance & Monitoring Plan (DSSMP) for Tacoma's seven High Hazard Dams. The DSSMP monitors the stability and performance of the dam, especially identifying initiation of Potential Failure Modes (PFM). This position will assist in the Dam Safety Workgroups mission of supporting public safety, risk management, and regulatory compliance for Tacoma Power's Hydroelectric facilities.

We are looking for a candidate who is curious and self-driven with a background in Civil Engineering. While experience in hydropower or dam safety is beneficial, it is not required. The ideal person thrives in a collaborative environment and values input from teammates with a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives. They ask thoughtful questions, take initiative in their work, and are motivated by tackling technical challenges that support public safety and risk management. Most importantly, they are adaptable and ready to grow within a diverse team dedicated to the safe operation of Tacoma Power's hydroelectric facilities.

This position is expected to conduct site visits to Tacoma's dams, work from Tacoma Public Utilities office at least three days per week and reside a maximum of 2-hours from Tacoma, WA.
Responsibilities Include:

• Support the maintenance, coordination, and implementation of technical monitoring, inspection, and data collection programs for hydropower systems.
• Participate in field inspections, site visits, and evaluations to verify conditions, document observations, and identify any unusual or concerning trends.
• Assist in organizing, collecting, and performing initial review of technical data, including preparing charts, graphs, photos, and summary reports to inform engineering evaluation.
• Provide support in the selection, installation, verification, and documentation of instrumentation or field-monitoring equipment used for performance evaluation.
• Contribute to the development, updating, and delivery of training materials and programs related to monitoring procedures, field practices, and technical workflows.
• Assist with engineering analyses, calculations, and technical investigations that support assessments of infrastructure condition, performance, and reliability.
• Support the preparation, organization, and maintenance of technical documentation, regulatory materials, and internal program guidance.
• Provide preliminary technical observations and communicate findings to senior engineering staff for further review and decision-making.
• Participate in the coordination of consultant-performed work, including reviewing deliverables, tracking progress, and supporting scope, schedule, and budget management.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (engineering, natural resources, operations, & technical staff) to support safe, reliable, and compliant operation of Tacoma Power's hydroelectric dams.
• Maintain awareness of updates in applicable regulations, standards, guidelines, and best practices, and support integration of those updates into program materials.
• Participate in professional development activities to strengthen skills in engineering analysis, monitoring practices, and infrastructure evaluation.

Qualifications

Power Systems Engineer Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Education*
Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or directly related field

Minimum Experience*
2 years of engineering experience in a power utility, or similar field

Licensing, Certifications and Other Requirements
Washington State Driver's License

*Equivalency: 1 year of experience = 1 year of education

Power Systems Engineer, Associate Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Education*
Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or directly related field

Minimum Experience*
0-1 years depending upon assignment

Licensing, Certifications and Other Requirements
AS ASSIGNED:
Washington State Driver's License

*Equivalency: 1 year of experience = 1 year of education
Preferred Qualification:

• ABET accredited civil engineering program
• Engineer in Training

Knowledge & Skills

• Basic understanding of Concrete Structures, Soil Mechanics, and Hydraulics.
• Heavy civil, geotechnical, structural, or hydropower industry related engineering experience
• Strong Observational Skills
• Strong Organizational Skills
• Strong written and oral communication skills. The successful candidate must have the ability to produce coherent documents submitted to external agencies.
• The ability to read and interpret engineering drawings.
• The ability to analyze and display data to identify statistical trends and relationships with off-the-shelf software or self-written code.

Selection Process & Supplemental Information
Pay Details:
Power Systems Engineer
Annual Salary: $113,568.00- $159,910.40

Power Systems Engineer, Associate
Annual Salary: $98,280.00- $138,320.00
01

Do you have a Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or directly related field?

• Yes
• No

02

How many years of engineering experience in a power utility, or similar field do you have?

• 0-1 years of engineering experience in a power utility, or similar field
• 1-2 years of engineering experience in a power utility, or similar field
• 2+ years of professional level engineering experience in a power utility, or similar field
• None of the above

03

Do you have possession of Washington State EIT (or the ability to transfer an EIT from another state)?

• Yes
• No

04

Tell us about a time when you recognized a gap in your professional knowledge or skills - either technical or interpersonal - and what steps did you take to address it?
05

One of the City's Principles that guides us is Equity. Describe what equity means to you and describe any experience you have working with diverse groups of people.
06

Please tell us how you first learned about this job opening.

• Job Interest Card notification
• Internet search
• Professional organization
• Military organization
• Union job posting
• City of Tacoma employee
• Online job board posting
• Word of mouth
• LinkedIn
• TTEP (Tacoma Training and Education Program)
• Indeed
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Government Jobs
• NWPPA
• Outreach Event

07

Please provide specific information regarding how you learned about this job opening. Thank you, your feedback will be used to evaluate our success reaching the public and refine our methods for future job postings.
Required Question