Applications/Systems Engineer, Principal

Position Description

Join our team as a Principal OMS Applications Systems Engineer with Tacoma Public Utility (TPU). TPU’s Utility Technology Services (UTS) section is accepting applications for our next OMS Application/Systems Engineer.

This position is an exciting opportunity to immerse yourself in large-scale technology infrastructure projects, collaborating closely with utility work groups throughout the organization to shape and strengthen a variety of critical systems and operational technology applications.

Your responsibilities will encompass maintaining and creating software requirements, architecting system diagrams, generating insightful reports, creation of visual documentation that details technical concepts, all while adhering to industry-standard procedures, technology, and best practices. You'll find yourself at the heart of innovation, contributing to the continued success and evolution of our utility systems.

The Principal Applications and Systems Engineer will be responsible for supporting Tacoma Power’s Outage Management System (ADMS/OMS) using a variety of technologies including Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in support of daily power utility operations. This includes, but is not limited to troubleshooting system issues, understanding data flows between multiple integrated systems (ADMS/OMS, AMI, SAP, AVL, GIS).

Other responsibilities will include keeping track of service level agreements internally with the power utility business and externally with software vendors. This position will assist in managing and communicating User Interface configuration changes as well as data integrations with other information systems such as ESRI GIS, Sensus AMI and SAP.

Key Responsibilities :

• Integration Support - create and manage integrations between the ADMS platform and other systems (e.g., SAP, etc.) to ensure seamless data and process interoperability.
• Integration Testing - responsible for unit, functional, and regression testing of any changes in lower and production environments.
• Incident Management - resolving incidents impacting ADMS functionality, including technical issues (e.g., outages) and operational disruptions.
• System Enhancement Requests - evaluating, prioritizing, and implementing ADMS improvements for both technical and operational functionality.
• Operational Change Management - supporting operational changes to the ADMS following established change control processes. Change implementation includes the actual release management and implementation of the change.
• Data Stewardship - stewardship includes data administration, participating in the development of pipeline architecture, storage and performance.
• Application Technical Support - addressing ADMS updates, bug fixes, and technical issues related to the ADMS to ensure uptime and performance.
• System Operational Monitoring - monitoring the performance and health of the ADMS to ensure uptime, reliability, and efficiency.
• Lifecycle Management - planning and managing the lifecycle of ADMS components, including upgrades, decommissioning, and replacements.
• Technical Vendor Management - managing vendor contracts, resolving technical issues, and coordinating upgrades
• Technical Disaster Recovery and Continuity - planning and implementing strategies to recover ADMS functionality and ensure business continuity during outages or cyberattacks.
• Technical Audits for Regulatory and Compliance Support - ensuring the ADMS adheres to industry regulations, standards, and organizational policies (e.g., PCI, NERC CIP).

This position will have elements of programming concepts and therefore the incumbent will need a basic understanding of the following development languages: JavaScript, VBScript, REST APIs, HTML, SQL, Java, and Python. Additionally, this position will need a working knowledge of windows server technology, Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), Transport Layer Security (TLS), ESRI’s Utility Network technology, secure network protocols and standards as well as web development technologies for utilities. Strong communication skills and the ability to create visual documentation that details technical concepts to multiple parts of the organization will be needed. Serves as a liaison to the City's enterprise information technology functions.

Qualifications

Minimum Education*
Bachelor's degree

Minimum Experience*
5 years of software development, software architecture and database/ data warehouse experience including 1 year prior at senior and/or lead level.

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

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

Desired Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science degree in computer science, information systems, geography, geographic information systems or directly related operational technology experience within the power utility industry.
  
• North American Electric Reliability Corporation Critical Infrastructure Protection certification (NECC-CIP) within 6 months of hire.
  
• 6 years of application systems administration experience within the Electrical Utility Industry, with job-related experience in the following areas:
  • Using and developing against REST API web services
  • Experience with SolarWinds, ArcGIS Monitor, or other system monitoring tools
  • Experience using and developing with ESRI’s Utility Network technology
  • Experience with Python scripting using the ArcPy library in the utility sector
  • Experience with Electrical Grids and Advanced Distribution Management System technologies
  • Experience configuring Outage Management System screens for grid operators
  • Experience with Electrical Network models and connectivity
  • Experience providing Tier 1 Application support for the Electrical industry
  

Requirement - Ability to work 24/7/365: First response to system failures through participation in on call rotation in a 24x7 data center environment.

Knowledge & Skills

The ideal candidate would thrive in an environment that requires the ability to both collaborate/work with a team on large work efforts. Additionally, they would have the following skills:

• Basic understanding of the following development languages: JavaScript, VBScript, REST APIs, HTML, SQL, Java, and Python.
• Working knowledge of windows server technology, Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), Transport Layer Security (TLS), ESRI ArcServer architecture, secure network protocols and standards as well as web development technologies for utilities
• Experience with the Full ESRI Suite of applications
• Strong communication skills
• Experience within creating visual documentation that details technical concepts

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 !

Compensation & Benefits

Pay Details:

Annual Salary: $127,420.80 - $179,400.00

Employee Benefits | City of Tacoma

Tacoma Power
Tacoma Power is an almost 100% hydroelectric, municipally-owned public power utility, located in Tacoma. We serve approximately 180,000 customers as one of the three operating divisions of Tacoma Public Utilities, alongside Tacoma Water and Tacoma Rail. As one of the most livable, walkable cities in the country, you'll find that Tacoma is a great fit for all interests with places to bike, run, hike, and explore, the perks of a big city, and the charm of a small town. We welcome you to take a look at our website and discover how the City of Tacoma can make your next career move part of our combined destiny:
http://www.cityoftacoma.org/
https://www.mytpu.org/
http://www.traveltacoma.com/

City of Tacoma’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

A Commitment to Equity & Diversity
At the City of Tacoma, we're on a mission to make our workforce as diverse and inclusive as the community we serve. We actively seek out candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Join our team at the City of Tacoma and help us build a more vibrant, inclusive, and equitable community for all.

If you have a less traditional background, we want to hear about your transferrable skills and experience. We value a variety of perspectives and are excited to see what you bring to the table.

The Community

Tacoma is centrally located just 32 miles south of the city of Seattle and 31 miles north of the state capital, Olympia. The City of Tacoma is also home to the Port of Tacoma, which is among the largest container ports in the United States. Like most cities in the northwest, Tacoma is surrounded by beautiful nature, offering residents many opportunities for outdoor adventures.

Largely suburban in nature with a small, but dense, urban core, Tacoma is home to numerous institutes of higher learning that attract students from across the country. The University of Washington Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University, University of Puget Sound, a satellite campus of the Evergreen State College, three community/technical colleges, and several trade and business schools are within Tacoma's geographic area. Downtown's Cultural District is the site of the Washington State History Museum, Museum of Glass, the Tacoma Art Museum, and America's Car Museum.

With its affordable housing and distinctive neighborhoods and business districts, the city has been recognized numerous times as a best city to live in the nation. To see a few of the great things Tacoma has to offer, view this YouTube Video!

View this exciting video to learn more about the City of Tacoma: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n5MWl8KFvI

Application Process

Interested individuals should apply online by completing the application and attaching a resume and cover letter by the closing date and time listed on the job announcement. Applications received without attaching the required materials may not progress in the selection process. Applicants who have the strongest backgrounds related to the responsibilities of this position may be invited to participate in the interview process, which may include a work problem. Appointment is subject to passing a background check.

Get Assistance

For assistance with the application process or questions regarding this job announcement please contact the Human Resources office at (253) 591-5400 by 4:00 p.m. of the closing date of the job announcement.

For technical difficulties using the NEOGOV system, call the applicant support line at 1-855-524-5627 between 6:00a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. This will allow us to assist you before the job announcement closes.

Communication with the City of Tacoma

We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from Tacoma.gov and/or governmentjobs.com should 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 email folders.

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.

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: 11/14/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

• 

• City of Tacoma

• 253-591-5400

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