EPSE, Principal (Systems & Services)

Full Job 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.

City Light is seeking a Principal Electrical Power Systems Engineer to oversee staff supporting Systems and Services in the Distribution Engineering Unit at the Seattle Municipal Tower.

In this position, you will oversee cable replacements-including support for the approaching Progressive Design-Build contract to improve reliability, you will oversee overhead and underground equipment replacements, distribution automation improvement efforts, system reliability improvements, system expansions or capacity improvements, as well as, Capital Projects including the University of Washington, South Lake Union, Sound Transit, First Hill, WSDOT 520, and other customer-driven projects.

If you are bringing your PE certification from another state, you will have 12 months to obtain a Washington State PE via test or comity.

This position will report to the Engineering Customer Systems Senior Manager.

Requirements

Here is more about what you’ll be doing:

• Performing or supervising 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;
• Supervising the preparation and issuance of cost estimates, customer construction drawings, customer requirements documents, service installation drawings and material requirements according to design guidelines;
• Performing project management on large, service-related projects such as the University of Washington, South Lake Union, Sound Transit, Port of Seattle, King County, First Hill, and WSDOT 520
• Participating in the review of Requirements for Electric Service Connection manual, reviewing and recommending updates to Departmental Policies and Procedures, participating on service-related panels, planning for the group’s required training, managing the system engineering group workload;
• Participating in engineering panels, preparing hiring documents and making recommendations for hiring, if requested;
• Providing group information to be compiled for the Division’s bi-weekly/quarterly reports;
• Performing special projects as assigned by the unit manager;
• Developing and training engineers, holding group accountable for deliverables, 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:

This class requires a total of eight years’ experience: Six years professional electrical power systems engineering experience equivalent to the Electrical Power Systems Engineer level.

An additional two years’ supervisory, lead or project management experience is required to be a supervising Principal Electrical Power Systems Engineer.

To perform the technical expert work of this classification requires an additional two years advanced experience with defining, interpreting and organizing major system-wide transmission or distribution projects that involve multiple jurisdictions and complex engineering circumstances.

A Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering is also required. A Master's degree in Electrical Engineering may be substituted for one year of experience.

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, hazardous or toxic substances, 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 - You will be successful if you have the following experience, skills, and abilities:

• 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;
• Five or more years of supervisory, lead or project management experience.

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

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 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 $81.84 to $96.09 per hour.

Application Process

Please submit the following with your online application:

• A cover letter in which you clearly describe how your knowledge, experience, skills, and abilities prepare you for the job responsibilities and qualifications outlined in the job announcement
• A current resume of your educational and professional work experience.

Incomplete applications may not be accepted.

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 14.17 and 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/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.

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