Distribution & Standards Engineer III-V

Tappwfs; Washington; Hybrid; USD 105,000 - 192,000; Full time

Job summary

Tappwfs in Washington state seeks a Distribution & Standards Engineer III–V to shape electric grid engineering standards and drive governance across projects. You will develop, review, and apply standards for distribution and substation systems, collaborating with engineers, contractors, and regulators to ensure safety, reliability, and compliance.

As you progress, you’ll mentor others, lead cross-functional standards initiatives, and participate in industry forums like IEEE and NWPPA.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 3+ years for Engineer III, 6+ years for Engineer IV, 10+ years for Engineer V.
• Ability to read, interpret, and modify technical drawings and schematics.
• Strong technical writing skills for specifications and contract documentation.
• Working knowledge of FERC/NERC regulatory requirements.
• Self-motivated, able to work independently or with teams.
• Preferred: Master’s degree, PE license, or AutoCAD experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop, revise, and maintain engineering standards, specifications, and technical practices for distribution and substation systems.
• Interpret and apply industry codes and standards for engineering teams, project engineers, and construction crews.
• Review technical drawings, construction packages, and equipment specifications for compliance, cost savings, and reliability.
• Support capital project teams through design reviews, compliance assessments, and drawing reviews.
• Evaluate new materials, equipment, and emerging technologies to improve standards and operational performance.
• Develop technical specifications for equipment procurement and provide guidance on material substitutions.
• Coordinate with internal teams, vendors, manufacturers, and regulatory agencies on technical matters.
• Represent the organization at industry forums and events, including IEEE and NWPPA.

Skills

Technical writing

Reading technical drawings

Team collaboration

Regulatory knowledge (FERC/NERC)

Self-motivated

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field, or equivalent experience

Master's degree (preferred)

Washington State Engineer in Training certification (preferred)

Professional Engineer (PE) license (preferred)

Job description

Shape the engineering standards that keep an electric grid safe, reliable, and built to last.

24th August, 2026

Distribution & Standards Engineer III–V | Power Delivery

This role may also be known as: Electrical Standards Engineer, T&D Standards Engineer, Power Delivery Standards Engineer, Utility Compliance Engineer

The Opportunity

If you've ever wanted a seat at the table where engineering standards actually get written — not just followed — this is that seat. This role sits at the center of a Power Delivery organization, responsible for developing, maintaining, and continuously improving the standards, specifications, and technical practices that govern how distribution and substation infrastructure gets designed, built, and operated.

You'll work across a genuinely broad equipment scope: distribution transformers, switches, and capacitor banks; substation breakers up to 230kV; control systems; station battery systems; and switchgear. You'll interpret and apply industry codes like IEEE, ANSI, NESC, NEC, OSHA, FERC, NERC, and CIP, and you'll have a direct hand in evaluating new materials, equipment, and technologies as the grid modernizes.

This isn't a role you'll outgrow quickly. The position is structured across Engineer III, IV, and V levels, so there's a clear runway for advancement — from supporting standards documentation and technical reviews, to leading cross-functional standards governance and equipment strategy, to mentoring the next generation of engineers.

Why This Opportunity Is Different

What separates this role from a typical standards or compliance position is the level of ownership involved. You won't just be checking boxes against someone else's standards — you'll be helping write them, with direct exposure to capital project design reviews, vendor and manufacturer coordination, and industry forums like IEEE and NWPPA. As you grow into the role, you'll pick up team leadership, training, and mentoring responsibilities, and take on systems carrying the organization's highest level of regulatory risk. It's a role built for someone who wants technical depth and a genuine say in how the system gets built, not just a seat on the sidelines.

What You'll Be Doing

• Develop, revise, and maintain engineering standards, specifications, and technical practices for distribution and substation systems
• Interpret and apply industry codes and standards for engineering teams, project engineers, and construction crews
• Review technical drawings, construction packages, and equipment specifications for compliance, cost savings, and reliability
• Support capital project teams through design reviews, compliance assessments, and drawing reviews
• Evaluate new materials, equipment, and emerging technologies to improve standards and operational performance
• Develop technical specifications for equipment procurement and provide guidance on material substitutions
• Coordinate with internal teams, vendors, manufacturers, and regulatory agencies on technical matters
• Represent the organization at industry forums and events, including IEEE and NWPPA

24th August, 2026

Distribution & Standards Engineer III–V | Power Delivery

This role may also be known as: Electrical Standards Engineer, T&D Standards Engineer, Power Delivery Standards Engineer, Utility Compliance Engineer

The Opportunity

If you've ever wanted a seat at the table where engineering standards actually get written — not just followed — this is that seat. This role sits at the center of a Power Delivery organization, responsible for developing, maintaining, and continuously improving the standards, specifications, and technical practices that govern how distribution and substation infrastructure gets designed, built, and operated.

You'll work across a genuinely broad equipment scope: distribution transformers, switches, and capacitor banks; substation breakers up to 230kV; control systems; station battery systems; and switchgear. You'll interpret and apply industry codes like IEEE, ANSI, NESC, NEC, OSHA, FERC, NERC, and CIP, and you'll have a direct hand in evaluating new materials, equipment, and technologies as the grid modernizes.

This isn't a role you'll outgrow quickly. The position is structured across Engineer III, IV, and V levels, so there's a clear runway for advancement — from supporting standards documentation and technical reviews, to leading cross-functional standards governance and equipment strategy, to mentoring the next generation of engineers.

Why This Opportunity Is Different

What separates this role from a typical standards or compliance position is the level of ownership involved. You won't just be checking boxes against someone else's standards — you'll be helping write them, with direct exposure to capital project design reviews, vendor and manufacturer coordination, and industry forums like IEEE and NWPPA. As you grow into the role, you'll pick up team leadership, training, and mentoring responsibilities, and take on systems carrying the organization's highest level of regulatory risk. It's a role built for someone who wants technical depth and a genuine say in how the system gets built, not just a seat on the sidelines.

What You'll Be Doing

• Develop, revise, and maintain engineering standards, specifications, and technical practices for distribution and substation systems
• Interpret and apply industry codes and standards for engineering teams, project engineers, and construction crews
• Review technical drawings, construction packages, and equipment specifications for compliance, cost savings, and reliability
• Support capital project teams through design reviews, compliance assessments, and drawing reviews
• Evaluate new materials, equipment, and emerging technologies to improve standards and operational performance
• Develop technical specifications for equipment procurement and provide guidance on material substitutions
• Coordinate with internal teams, vendors, manufacturers, and regulatory agencies on technical matters
• Represent the organization at industry forums and events, including IEEE and NWPPA

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field, or equivalent experience (four years in lieu of a degree)
• Relevant work experience: 3+ years for Engineer III, 6+ years for Engineer IV, 10+ years for Engineer V
• Ability to read, interpret, and modify technical drawings, one-line diagrams, substation plans, and AC/DC schematics
• Strong technical writing skills for specifications and contract documentation
• Working knowledge of FERC/NERC regulatory requirements
• Self-motivated, with the ability to work independently or collaboratively across teams
• Preferred: Master's degree, Washington State Engineer in Training certification, Professional Engineer (PE) license, AutoCAD experience

Compensation & Work Model

Compensation is based on level of hire: Engineer III ranges $104,822–$177,107 (midpoint $140,964); Engineer IV ranges $112,585–$192,317 (midpoint $152,452); Engineer V ranges $130,666–$228,062 (midpoint $179,364). This is a hybrid position with flexible shift-length options (8, 9, or 10-hour schedules).

Location & Travel

Based in Ephrata, WA, with a hybrid work arrangement. The role includes some work in the field and in active construction environments as part of standards reviews and site familiarity.