Operations Technology Engineer, Senior na City of Tacoma, WA

About the Department

Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU) is seeking a highly skilled Senior Operations Technology Engineer to support the design, implementation, and modernization of our Operational Technology (OT) infrastructure. In this role, you will serve as a senior technical strategist and trusted advisor for critical systems that enable reliable utility operations—delivering performance and resiliency across control centers, substations, remote field sites, and other mission-critical environments.

As a senior engineer, you will guide major infrastructure initiatives from concept through execution, playing a key role in the planning, procurement, and lifecycle management of virtualized and hyperconverged platforms such as VMware and VxRail. Acting as a vital bridge between infrastructure, cybersecurity, compliance, and SCADA teams, you will help define and advance TPU’s long-term OT technology strategy.

This position focuses on the technical support and administration of operational systems—including hardware, operating systems, and virtual server environments—performed in alignment with established reliability and regulatory compliance standards.

Job Responsibilities:

• Lead the installation, commissioning, maintenance, and repair of IT/OT computing and control system infrastructure.
• Serve as a technical lead and subject matter expert for Tacoma Power’s private cloud and virtual server environments.
• Participate in 24x7 on-call rotation as a first responder for system incidents and outages.
• Plan, design, and implement advanced engineering projects supporting operational technology systems, including preparation of specifications, cost estimates, schedules, and technical documentation.
• Oversee vendor and contractor performance, ensuring compliance with design standards, project specifications, contracts, and applicable regulatory standards.
• Design, develop, and integrate new technologies into existing operational environments to enhance reliability, security, and performance.
• Perform advanced troubleshooting and root-cause analysis of system issues impacting operational control systems.
• Evaluate, test, and deploy system patches, configuration changes, and updates to maintain cybersecurity posture and system stability.
• Prepare technical evidence and documentation to support regulatory compliance activities; serve as a subject matter expert during audits.
• Analyze system performance logs, optimize configurations, and recommend improvements to ensure high availability and efficiency.
• Support application engineers and system operators with configuration changes and system updates impacting operations.
• Develop and review RFQ/RFP documents, technical specifications, and design criteria for new operational systems and modernization initiatives.

Position Duties

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

Minimum Experience*
4 years of progressively responsible computer network, communications engineering or industrial controls experience

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

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

Other Qualifications

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: $110,281.60 - $155,251.20

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.