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Power Systems Engineer

Salary

$127,420.80 - $179,400.00 Annually

Location

Tacoma, WA

Job Type

Non-Classified

Job Number

T0440-25A

Department

Power

Division

Power - T&D

Opening Date

09/29/2025

Closing Date

10/13/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

Position Description

Tacoma Power’s Transmission & Distribution (T&D) Section is seeking a Power System Engineer (Power Systems Engineer or Power Systems Engineer, PE) within its System Planning group. This position is a critical part of our in-house engineering and planning group, responsible for performing some of the most complex technical studies in our industry.

The ideal candidate will be a technical expert in power systems analysis with a strong understanding of regulatory requirements and a proven ability to manage complex projects. You will play a key role in ensuring the reliability, efficiency, and security of Tacoma Power's electric power system. The position participates with other work group members in an on-call rotation to provide 24/7 response during nights and weekends to transmission and distribution outages.

What You'll Do:

+ Lead Technical Studies: Perform and lead highly complex in-house studies related to power flow, stability, capacity, and contingency analysis. This includes studies for interconnection, distribution and operations planning, as well as economic analysis.

+ Ensure Regulatory Compliance: Manage and perform annual system stability and power flow studies per NERC requirements, ensuring Tacoma Power's adherence to compliance standards. You will also develop and report on compliance adherence and investigate any issues.

+ Provide Strategic Recommendations: Analyze system performance and provide expert recommendations to internal and external stakeholders, including system operators and dispatchers. You will lead teams to develop and implement solutions to enhance the efficiency and reliability of our transmission and distribution systems.

+ Manage System Models: Design, maintain, and analyze Tacoma Power's electric power system models. You will be responsible for updating system data for regional entities like WECC and NorthernGrid.

+ Support Capital Projects: Participate in the planning and design of new distribution and transmission facilities, including developing alternatives, cost estimates, and timelines in collaboration with other departments.

+ Conduct Research and Reporting: Perform surveys, load forecasts, and cost estimates for various projects. You will also prepare and present a variety of documents and reports for management, public utility boards, and other groups.

+ Collaborate and Advise: Work with external consultants, administer contracts, and serve as a representative on various internal and external committees. You will also respond to and investigate customer questions and complaints.

What We're Looking For

+ Expert-level knowledge of power systems analysis, including power flow, stability, and capacity studies.

+ Strong understanding of NERC and WECC standards, with a focus on FAC and TPL requirements.

+ Proven ability to manage complex technical studies from start to finish, including writing reports and presenting recommendations.

+ Experience with power system modeling software including PowerWorld and Synergi

+ Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with internal teams, external partners, and customers.

+ The ability to independently manage projects and make sound engineering recommendations.

Qualifications

Power Systems Engineer Qualifications (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/tacoma/classspecs/1527096?keywords=power%20systems%20engineer&pagetype=classSpecifications)

+ Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or directly related field*

+ 2 years of engineering experience in a power utility*

Power Systems Engineer, PE Qualifications (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/tacoma/classspecs/1527110?keywords=power%20systems%20engineer&pagetype=classSpecifications)

+ Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or directly related field*

+ 4 years of professional level engineering experience in a power utility*

+ Washington State Licensed Professional Engineer

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

Licensing, Certifications and Other Requirements

Washington State Driver's License

Some positions may require individuals to complete annual CIP training after employment and pass a comprehensive personal risk assessment (background check) prior to employment and every five years thereafter as required by federal regulatory requirements (NERC-CIP).

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

At the City of Tacoma, we're on a mission to make our workforce as diverse and inclusive as the community we serve. We're committed to eliminating racial and other disparities, and we actively seek out candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Join our team at the City of Tacoma and help us build a more vibrant, inclusive, and equitable community for all.

The City of Tacoma believes that diversity of thought, background, and experience contributes to our success and innovation. If you’re passionate about this role and our mission, we encourage you to apply. If you have a less traditional background, we want to hear about your transferrable skills and experience. We value a variety of perspectives and are excited to see what you bring to the table.

Apply

Interested individuals should apply online by completing the application and attaching a resume and cover letter by the closing date and time listed on the job announcement. Applications received without attaching the required materials may not progress in the selection process.

Compensation & Benefits

Pay Details:

+ Power Systems Engineer:

+ Hourly Rate: $53.02 - $74.64

+ Annual Salary: $110,281.60 - $155,251.20

+ Power Systems Engineer, PE:

+ Hourly Rate: $61.26 - $86.25

+ Annual Salary: $127,420.80 - $179,400.00

Employee Benefits | City of Tacoma (https://tacoma.gov/government/departments/human-resources/employee-benefits/)

Get Assistance

For assistance with the application process or questions regarding this job announcement please contact the Human Resources office at (253) 591-5400 by 4:00 p.m. of the closing date of the job announcement.

For technical difficulties using the NEOGOV system, call the applicant support line at 1-855-524-5627 between 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. This will allow us to assist you before the job announcement closes.

Communication with the City of Tacoma

We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from Tacoma.gov and/or governmentjobs.com should be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk email folders.

The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.

Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age 26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age 26 or younger.

Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.

Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.

Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.

Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.

Other Employment Information

Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.

Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.

Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.

Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

01

Do you have a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or directly related field?

+ Yes

+ No

02

Do you have the following experience and/or training? Please check all that apply.

+ 2 years of engineering experience in a power utility

+ 4 years of professional level engineering experience in a power utility

+ Professional Engineer License

+ None of the above

03

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.

04

Please tell us how you learned about this job opening.

+ Job Interest Card notification

+ Professional organization

+ Military organization

+ City of Tacoma employee

+ Online job board posting

+ Word of mouth

+ LinkedIn

+ Tacoma Training & Education Program (TTEP)

+ Indeed

+ Facebook

+ Instagram

+ Careers in Government

+ Government Jobs

+ Outreach Event

+ National Diversity Network

+ African American Job Network

+ Disability Job Network

+ Asian Job Network

+ Latino Job Network

+ Retirement Job Network

+ LGBT Job Network

+ Veteran Job Network

+ Other

05

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

Employer

City of Tacoma

Address

Human Resources Department 747 Market Street Tacoma, Washington, 98402-3764

Phone

253-591-5400

Website

http://www.tacoma.gov

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