Infrastructure Engineer Principal

Position Description

Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU) is seeking a highly skilled Infrastructure Engineer Principal to lead the design, implementation, and modernization of our Operational Technology (OT) infrastructure. In this role, you'll serve as the senior technical strategist and advisor for critical systems that support utility operations-delivering reliability and performance across control centers, substations, remote field environments, and other mission-critical systems.

You’ll supervise a small team, guide large infrastructure projects from concept through execution, and play a vital role in the planning, procurement, and lifecycle management of virtualized and hyperconverged platforms such as VMware and VxRail. Acting as a key bridge between infrastructure, cybersecurity, compliance, and SCADA teams, you’ll help shape TPU’s long-term OT strategy while mentoring the next generation of engineers.

This is a leadership-track engineering position designed for someone who thrives at the intersection of deep technical capability, operational excellence, and strategic foresight.
Primary Responsibilities

Management

• Supports the workgroup Manager in the direct supervision of the Operational Technology Engineering team, also working in conjunction with other TPU staff on multiple highly complex integrated projects.
• Provide training, mentorship, guidance, and support to junior personnel, and give direction and support to contractors, consultants, internal engineers, and technicians by possessing and displaying a high level of technical knowledge.
• Support performance reviews for subordinates and provide recommendations for hiring, terminations, and discipline.
• Direct and assign tasks as needed to support projects, operations, and maintenance activities. Provide technical and operational support to customers and business partners.
• Recommend, procure, and coordinate training for staff to develop technical skillsets to support the workgroup IT portfolio and facilitate knowledge sharing to increase department resilience.
• Assist with budget development for biannual capital projects and O&M activities. Responsible for managing project expenditures.

Computing Systems Engineer

• Provide guidance and direction to other engineers and technicians in installing, commissioning, maintaining, and repairing IT/OT computing systems.
• Subject matter expert and technical lead for the Tacoma Power private Cloud Virtual Server Infrastructure.
• Support and evaluate IT initiative project proposals. Inspect projects and related activities to assure compliance with the specifications, contracts, and applicable local, state, and federal codes.
• Perform advanced level of engineering duties in the preparation, implementation, coordination, evaluation and analysis of engineering projects. Analyze data and coordinate projects with consultants and contractors. Prepare drawings for reference documentation. Prepare cost estimate, scheduling, material equipment purchases and delivery contracts. Evaluate bids, administer contracts with consultants, manage project task progress, interpret and modify vendor design criteria.
• Utilize a high level of technical expertise in the design, programming, and implementation of the operational control systems. Prepare technical specifications, engineering calculations and plans for engineering projects.
• Evaluate and coordinate maintenance, repair, installation, and design of computing architecture to support operational control systems.
• Investigate and respond to incidents impacting operational control system functions. Research, analyze and perform advanced troubleshooting address system malfunctions.
• Serve as a technical advisor to Utility Technology Architecture Board (UTAB).
• Monitor technology advancements in the industry to ensure ongoing adherence to industry best practices.

Qualifications

Minimum Education*
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or directly related field.

Minimum Experience*
5 years of progressively responsible industrial controls experience including 1 year prior as a subject matter expert/project lead

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

Licensing, Certifications and Other Requirements
Washington State Driver's License

Desired Qualifications

• Advanced certifications such as VCP, CCNP, or CISSP.
• Experience with:
  • OT infrastructure in regulated environments (e.g., NERC CIP).
  • VMware ecosystem (vSphere, vSAN, VxRail).
  • System hardening and secure infrastructure design.
  • Backup, storage, and disaster recovery in OT environments.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor others, lead large cross-functional initiatives, and participate in architectural governance.
• Familiarity with ICS/SCADA systems, secure remote access, and segmented network design.

Knowledge & Skills

Telework/Remote Work
The City of Tacoma is committed to fostering a workplace that is innovative and flexible, and which attracts, supports, and retains a diverse and talented workforce. This position may be able to work from home for specific elements of the job based on supervisor approval with the primary work location being the main TPU campus.

What We Offer

• An opportunity to directly impact the resilience and reliability of essential utility services for the Tacoma community.
• The chance to work with talented teams across IT, cybersecurity, and operations in a mission-driven public utility.
• A role that balances technical depth, strategic influence, and people leadership-with room to grow.

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

This recruitment is being managed by Kye Merritt if you would like to be notified of similar opportunities or stay connected with things going on at Tacoma Public Utilities and the City of Tacoma, connect with me on Linkedin !

City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Tacoma's diversity is its greatest asset. Tacoma embraces its multi-cultural and multi-ethnic character. Communities of color and immigrant communities are fundamental to Tacoma's entrepreneurial spirit, workforce, and long-term success. In Tacoma, equity and empowerment are top priorities, meaning that all Tacoma residents must have equitable opportunities to reach their full potential and share in the benefits of community progress. One of our goals is for the City of Tacoma workforce to reflect the community it serves. We actively work to eliminate racial and other disparities and welcome candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skill sets and experiences. Our goal is for Tacoma to be an inclusive and equitable place to live, work, and play.

The City of Tacoma is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workplace. Applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital or veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, and local laws.

Apply
Interested individuals should complete the online application.

Appointment will be subject to passing a background check and a pre-employment medical exam and drug screen. This position is covered by a Labor Agreement between the City of Tacoma and Teamsters Local 117.

Communication from the City of Tacoma:
We primarily communicate via e-mail during the application process. E-mails from cityoftacoma.org and/or neogov.com must 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 e-mail folders.

Should you have any questions about this position please call Human Resources at (253) 591-5400 before 5pm on the closing date.

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 age26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 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.

Closing Date/Time: 8/1/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

• 

• City of Tacoma

• 253-591-5400

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