Power Systems Engineer

City of Tacoma•Tacoma, WA

20h•Hybrid

About The Position

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 with growth potential within the organization. Working under the guidance of 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.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or directly related field
2 years of engineering experience in a power utility, or similar field
Washington State Driver's License

Nice To Haves

ABET accredited civil engineering program
Engineer in Training
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.
Ability to produce coherent documents submitted to external agencies.
Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings.
Ability to analyze and display data to identify statistical trends and relationships with off-the-shelf software or self-written code.

Responsibilities

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.