EPSE, Distribution Systems Engineering

Salary: $79.13 - $92.88 Hourly
Location : Seattle Municipal Tower, 700 5th Ave., Seattle, WA
Job Type: Classified Civil Service, Regular, Full-Time
Job Number: 2026-01214
Department: Seattle City Light
Opening Date: 09/08/2026
Closing Date: 9/29/2026 4:00 PM Pacific

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.

Seattle City Light is seeking an Electrical Power Systems Engineer (EPSE) specializing in overhead & underground distribution systems for customer and systems engineering applications. As an EPSE, you will act as a lead engineer, performing the most complex design considerations for a variety of Service and Systems related projects, or interagency programs such as Sound Transit. You will also provide technical training and mentorship for junior members of the team, including review of other engineers' work, and proper approval and PE stamping. If you're bringing your PE from another state, you will have one year to obtain Washington State registration. You will play a major role as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in the Plan Review process, offering advance information to developers and customers prior to detailed design of their buildings.

This position will report to the Supervisor, Central Distribution Systems Engineering.

Job Responsibilities
Here is more about what you'll be doing:

• Exercise technical expert judgement as lead engineer on long-term projects involving the planning and development of electric power systems for the distribution, conversion, measurement and control of electricity.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams in the selection, procurement, installation, testing, acceptance, operation, and maintenance of apparatus, equipment, structures, materials, and related systems for the distribution, conversion, measurement and control of electricity.
• Lead an engineering team to develop power stabilization and system capacity improvement projects and long-range system-wide plans.
• Lead a team that tests electrical power systems interfaces and the effects of integration designs and modifications.
• Responsible for system planning and operation to meet 26kV distribution capacity, security, and reliability needs on behalf of Seattle City Light.
• Prepares specifications and evaluates bids for new technical electrical equipment installations to meet compliance requirements.
• Ensure that the projects are prioritized, and that appropriate design guidelines and sound engineering principles are utilized.
• Prepare and issue cost estimates, customer construction drawings, customer requirements documents, service installation drawings and material requirements according to design guidelines.
• Perform project management on large service or system capital improvement projects, such as feeder replacement and system rebuild
• Perform special projects as assigned by the supervisor or manager.
• Review final engineering plans, specifications, agreements, and provides leadership, professional mentorship, and training to junior technical engineering staff.

Qualifications
Required 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 provides preparation to do professional electrical engineering work on major electrical power systems.

Work Environment/Physical Demands

May be required to work nights, evenings, weekends, and/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:

• Working familiarity and/or experience with WAMS.
• Good leadership, listening and people skills.
• Able to provide direction, guidance and knowledge of underground and overhead electrical design.
• Experience as a lead for engineering and technical employees.
• Familiarity with underground civil distribution engineering design.
• Good computer skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to create and deliver presentations to diverse audiences.
• Abilities to handle shifting and multiple priorities and to work as a team member in a diverse work force.
• Willingness to learn and accept responsibility, comply with safety rules and regulations, work efficiently, effectively and independently.

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 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.

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 will 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 , and the A driving history review may be conducted in compliance with 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:

Want to know more about Seattle City Light? Check out our web page:
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:
01

Please select the highest level of education you have completed.

• High School Diploma/GED
• Some College
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• JD/Doctorate Degree
• None of the Above

02

If you have a Bachelor's Degree (or higher), is it in Electrical Engineering?

• Yes
• No
• I have no degree.

03

How many years of professional electrical engineering experience do you have?

• Less than 6 years
• 6 to 7 years
• 7 to 8 years
• 8 to 9 years
• 9 to 10 years
• More than 10 years

04

Are you currently registered as a Professional Electrical Engineer in the State of Washington?

• Yes, I am a registered engineer in the State of Washington.
• No, but I am registered in another state and will be able to register in the State of Washington within 12 months of hire.
• No, I am not a registered Professional Electrical Engineer.

05

If you claimed professional licensure from another state in the question above, please type the name of the state that issued your license. Otherwise, type N/A.
06

Which of the following best describes your years of Utility or electrical work experience in underground and/or overhead electrical distribution design and/or other related electrical service work?

• Less than 3 years
• 3 to 4 years
• 4 to 5 years
• More than 5 years

07

Please briefly describe your experience, if any, working with tools like Work and Asset Management System (WAMS), AutoCAD, or similar applications.
08

Do you possess a current, valid Washington State Driver's License?

• Yes
• No, but I can obtain a valid Washington State Driver's License by the time of hire.
• No, and I will not be able to obtain a valid Washington State Driver's License.

09

Employees working for the City of Seattle are required to meet the Mayoral mandate of January 2025 to work in the office a minimum of 3 days per week. Are you able to meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

10

To participate in the hiring process, Seattle City Light requires strict confidentiality of all related information, including any discussions outside the workplace. This ensures fairness and protects the integrity of the process. This obligation applies during and after the hiring process. Do you understand and agree to maintain this confidentiality?

• Yes, I understand and agree.
• No, I do not agree.

Required Question