EPSE - Distribution Systems Engineering

Seattle City Light; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 226,739,184 - 266,138,544; Full time

Job summary

Seattle City Light, a major municipally owned utility in Seattle, seeks an experienced electrical power systems engineer to design, plan, and manage large-scale projects for residential, commercial, and industrial customers. The role emphasizes safe, compliant design practices, collaboration across departments, and mentoring of engineers and non-engineers alike.

Candidates should have six years of complex engineering experience and a B.S.

Qualifications

• Requires six years of progressively responsible, difficult and highly complex or visible electrical power systems engineering experience.
• Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent preparation for professional electrical engineering work on major power systems.

Responsibilities

• Plan and design overhead and underground electrical systems and large services for residential, commercial, and industrial customers.
• Ensure projects are properly prioritized, designed promptly, and follow sound engineering principles.
• Prepare and issue cost estimates, drawings, customer requirements documents, and material requirements per design guidelines.
• Perform project management on large service and system projects (e.g., UW, South Lake Union, Sound Transit, WSDOT 520).
• Undertake special projects as assigned and develop engineers and coach non-engineers on electrical design and safety.

Skills

Electrical power engineering

Project management

Communication

Leadership

Education

B.S. in Electrical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

MS Project

Excel

Job description

Position Description

Seattle City Light, a department of the City of Seattle, is one of the nation’s largest municipally owned utilities in terms of the number of customers served. Over the years we have worked very hard to keep Seattle's electricity affordable, reliable, and environmentally sound. Today, City Light is a recognized national leader in energy efficiency and environmental stewardship.

Job Responsibilities

• Performing the planning and design of the overhead and underground electrical system and large services for the Department’s residential, commercial, and industrial customers;
• Ensuring that the projects are prioritized and designed properly and promptly, and that appropriate design guidelines and sound engineering principles are utilized;
• Preparing and issuing cost estimates, customer construction drawings, customer requirement documents, service installation drawings and material requirements according to design guidelines;
• Performing project management on large, service and system related projects such as the University of Washington, South Lake Union, Sound Transit, WSDOT 520, and other customer-driven projects;
• Performing special projects as assigned by the supervisor or manager;
• Developing and training engineers and coaching non-engineers about electrical design and safety;
• Performing Plan Review of Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) and private Street Use contracts;
• Reviewing City of Seattle capital projects, Land Use, UMP, SIP, and MUP plan sets;
• Providing electrical engineering design support to other Seattle City Light units as well as other City of Seattle departments, suburban cities and outside agencies.

Qualifications

In addition to the skills and experience mentioned below, a successful applicant will have experience that reflects a commitment to creating fair and equitable outcomes and has:

Requires six years of progressively responsible, difficult and highly complex or visible electrical power systems engineering experience and a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering or other combinations of education and/or experience which provide preparation to do professional electrical engineering work on major electrical power systems.

Work Environment/Physical Demands

Most work is performed in a normal City work/office environment. Field assignments may entail exposure to all types of weather, traffic, high voltage energized equipment and work in or near construction sites. Work in underground utility facilities will require climbing ladders. May be required to work nights, evenings, weekends, or holidays. Overnight travel may be required.

License, Certification And Other Requirements

Current Washington State driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility. Professional Engineer state licensure within the United States and up to 12 months after appointment to attain State of Washington registration.

Desired Qualifications

• Knowledge of electrical power engineering and experience in any of the following disciplines: Transmission, Planning, Substations or Distribution Engineering is highly desired, as well as experience in coordinating with construction crews and related project management skills.
• Knowledge of underground and overhead electrical design; experience as a lead for engineering and technical employees; familiarity with underground civil distribution engineering design and permitting;
• Computer skills such as AutoCAD, Word, materials request preparation, WAMS, Excel, Windows and/or Microsoft Project;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to create and deliver presentations;
• Ability to handle shifting and multiple priorities and to work as a team member in a diverse workforce;
• Willingness to learn and accept responsibility, comply with safety rules and regulations, work efficiently, effectively and independently.

Emergency Response Commitment

Seattle City Light is committed to reliable service during emergencies. Through our Emergency Response Program, each employee is assigned a role—usually aligned with their regular duties—to support emergency operations. Your participation is required and vital to helping the utility stay prepared and serve our community when it matters most.

Additional Information

The full salary range for this position is $79.13 to $92.88 per hour.

Who May Apply

This position is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications. Seattle City Light values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Seattle City Light encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.

Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process, including the completion of a background check. The background check will involve a criminal history check, which includes conviction and arrest records in compliance with the Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17and the City of Seattle Personnel Rule 10.3. A driving history review may be conducted in compliance with SMC 4.79.020.Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits.

Want to know more about Seattle City Light? Check out our web page: https://www.seattle.gov/city-light/about-us/careers.