Energy Engineer

King County, WA; Renton (WA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Hybrid work model

Telecommuting options

Job summary

King County seeks two Wastewater Engineer Trainees to identify and evaluate energy opportunities across facilities in the wastewater system. You will analyze systems, develop technical recommendations, and serve as an energy program representative on capital projects in a hybrid role based in Renton, WA.

The roles require a bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field and 3+ years in energy engineering or industrial energy systems, with a knack for data analysis and interpreting engineering

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, environmental science or a related technical field.
• Three years progressively responsible experience in energy engineering, industrial energy systems, or a closely related area.
• Demonstrated ability to use operational, engineering, or energy data to evaluate system performance, identify significant findings and opportunities, and develop technical recommendations.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, diagrams, and other technical documentation to understand system configuration and operation.

Responsibilities

• Identify and evaluate energy opportunities – Investigate facility systems and equipment, analyse operating conditions and energy use, perform initial technical and feasibility analyses, identify information needs, and develop recommendations for energy‑efficiency and energy‑recovery improvements.
• Provide energy engineering support to capital projects – Serve as an Energy Program representative on capital projects; review plans, drawings, and technical information; evaluate energy considerations and opportunities; and work with project teams and consultants to incorporate energy efficiency and energy recovery into project designs.
• Develop and secure utility energy‑efficiency incentives – Identify eligible projects, develop and submit incentive applications, collect and analyse required technical and performance data, coordinate with utility representatives and project teams, and support projects through verification and incentive payment.
• Manage and analyse energy performance information – Monitor facility energy use and equipment performance, identify data and metering needs, analyse trends and anomalies, and develop dashboards, metrics, and other tools to track and communicate progress toward energy goals and targets.
• Lead and coordinate facility energy activities – Collaborate with operations, maintenance, engineering, and other staff to identify and advance facility energy priorities. For the South Plant position, lead the plant Energy Team and coordinate activities between meetings. For the Offsite position, coordinate energy activities with staff supporting pump stations, regulator stations, and other distributed facilities.
• Support Energy Program planning and priorities – Participate in annual work planning, maintain communication and coordination across the Energy Program, contribute to broader program initiatives, and independently lead or support special assignments and emerging energy‑related efforts as needed.

Skills

Energy engineering

Industrial energy systems

Data analysis

Engineering drawings

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Job description

Summary

This recruitment will be used to fill two openings.

About The Role

Wastewater treatment is critical to water quality and the health and wellbeing of our communities. Wastewater treatment is also energy‑intensive and can result in significant greenhouse gas emissions. This position will play a key role in advancing King County’s ambitious climate action plan, including leading efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, energy, and water use, optimize the production and use of renewable resources, and support equity and social justice efforts.

The Wastewater Treatment Division’s Energy Program is looking for two new team members who enjoy solving real‑world engineering problems, learning complex systems, and making a measurable impact on one of the region’s largest public infrastructure systems.

In this role, you’ll help identify, evaluate, and develop energy efficiency and energy recovery opportunities across King County’s wastewater facilities. You’ll work alongside operations staff, maintenance personnel, engineers, consultants, and project teams to better understand how treatment plants and wastewater facilities use energy—and help find practical ways to reduce consumption while improving reliability and performance.

This is a hands‑on engineering position for someone who enjoys digging into unfamiliar systems, asking questions, reviewing engineering drawings, analysing operational data, and developing technical recommendations. Rather than simply coordinating work performed by others, you’ll often perform the initial engineering analysis yourself – evaluating opportunities, estimating feasibility and potential savings, identifying additional data needs, and helping determine whether projects should move forward.

The successful candidate will become an energy representative on capital improvement projects, helping ensure energy efficiency, electrification, and energy recovery opportunities are thoughtfully incorporated into facility designs from the earliest planning stages. You’ll also help develop dashboards and performance metrics, support utility incentive applications, and communicate technical information to audiences ranging from operators in the field to project managers and executive leadership.

One position will primarily support treatment plant facilities and serve as the lead for a collaborative plant energy team, bringing together operations, maintenance, and engineering staff to identify and advance energy improvement opportunities. A second position will focus on the division’s offsite facilities – including pump stations, regulator stations, and other wastewater infrastructure – supporting energy planning and project development across the regional system. Both positions are expected to work onsite at least three days per week and have the option to work remotely two days.

This position is well suited for engineers who are self‑directed, action‑oriented, and excited to continuously learn. Experience with HVAC systems, pumping systems, industrial process equipment, heat recovery systems, controls, fans, chillers, compressors, or similar mechanical systems is highly desirable, but just as important is the curiosity and initiative to quickly learn new systems and confidently tackle unfamiliar engineering challenges.

This position follows a hybrid work model, blending remote and in‑person work.

About The Team

This position will be supervised by the Climate, Energy and Sustainability Supervisor. The Climate, Energy and Sustainability work group is part of the Resource Recovery Unit in WTD’s Operations and Maintenance Section. The Resource Recovery Unit strives to bring valuable resources, technology, and sound business practices together to deliver products and programs that inspire our customers to be part of an environmentally sustainable future—today. It is responsible for ensuring safe, environmentally friendly products are made from an urban renewable waste stream including Loop biosolids soil amendment, recycled water, and renewable energy, as well as managing programs including sustainability, energy, technology assessment, and nutrient management.

The Climate, Energy and Sustainability work group includes the Energy Program. This team is focused on efforts to optimise processes and operational efficiencies and recommending advanced technologies that expand WTD’s ability to recover energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, and costs.

WTD’s mission is to protect public health and enhance the environment by collecting and treating wastewater while recycling valuable resources for the Puget Sound region. To our agency, success means clean water. It means honouring our legacy while keeping a promise to future generations that our beautiful environment will be there for them to enjoy. We are committed to the principles of equity and social justice. We value diverse perspectives and life experiences in our workforce and are committed to building a culturally diverse and inclusive environment. WTD strives to provide equitable services to residents and businesses across King County.

Commitment To Equity, Racial And Social Justice

King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. We prioritise equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As a Wastewater Engineer, you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity.

Job Duties

What You Will Be Doing:

• Identify and evaluate energy opportunities – Investigate facility systems and equipment, analyse operating conditions and energy use, perform initial technical and feasibility analyses, identify information needs, and develop recommendations for energy‑efficiency and energy‑recovery improvements.
• Provide energy engineering support to capital projects – Serve as an Energy Program representative on capital projects; review plans, drawings, and technical information; evaluate energy considerations and opportunities; and work with project teams and consultants to incorporate energy efficiency and energy recovery into project designs.
• Develop and secure utility energy‑efficiency incentives – Identify eligible projects, develop and submit incentive applications, collect and analyse required technical and performance data, coordinate with utility representatives and project teams, and support projects through verification and incentive payment.
• Manage and analyse energy performance information – Monitor facility energy use and equipment performance, identify data and metering needs, analyse trends and anomalies, and develop dashboards, metrics, and other tools to track and communicate progress toward energy goals and targets.
• Lead and coordinate facility energy activities – Collaborate with operations, maintenance, engineering, and other staff to identify and advance facility energy priorities. For the South Plant position, lead the plant Energy Team and coordinate activities between meetings. For the Offsite position, coordinate energy activities with staff supporting pump stations, regulator stations, and other distributed facilities.
• Support Energy Program planning and priorities – Participate in annual work planning, maintain communication and coordination across the Energy Program, contribute to broader program initiatives, and independently lead or support special assignments and emerging energy‑related efforts as needed.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Qualifications You Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, environmental science or a related technical field.
• Three years progressively responsible experience in energy engineering, industrial energy systems, or a closely related area.
• Demonstrated ability to use operational, engineering, or energy data to evaluate system performance, identify significant findings and opportunities, and develop technical recommendations.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, diagrams, and other technical documentation to understand system configuration and operation.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex technical analyses and findings into clear recommendations that inform cross‑disciplinary decision‑making.

Competencies You Bring

Manages Complexity: Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.

Communicates Effectively: Developing and delivering multi‑mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.

Action Oriented: Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.

Manages Ambiguity: Operating effectively, even when things are not certain, or the way forward is not clear.

Situational Adaptability: Adapting approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations.

Required Licenses/Certifications

• Valid Washington State Driver’s License (or ability to obtain upon hire).

It Would Be Great if You Also Bring

• Experience evaluating, designing, operating, or troubleshooting energy‑using mechanical systems, such as HVAC and controls, pumping systems, industrial heating/cooling loops, fans, chillers, compressors, or similar equipment.
• Experience working with wastewater treatment, pump stations, CSO facilities, or other complex industrial infrastructure.

Working Conditions

The Energy Engineering team works in a hybrid model, with days in the office as well as telecommuting. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change. One position will be working primary onsite at the South Treatment Plant, 1200 Monster Rd SW, Renton, WA 98057. The second position will be working between other WTD Plants and facilities. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements. King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department’s hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County‑issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

Work Schedule

This full‑time position works a 40‑hour work week. This position is exempt from the overtime provision of the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA) and is not overtime eligible.

Union Representation

Technical Employees’ Association (TEA) – Wastewater Treatment Division.

Benefits

King County offers a highly‑competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees’ health and well‑being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what’s best for themselves and their eligible dependents
• Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
• Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred‑compensation plan
• Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
• 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness programs
• Onsite activity centres
• Employee Giving Program
• Employee assistance programmes
• Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
• Training and career development programmes

For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page.

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.

NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based on the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.

Equal Employment Opportunity

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer.

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, colour, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honourably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, genetic information, or other protected class. However, to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorised by either federal or state law, regulation, or government contract, it is not an unfair practice.

Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.