Job Description

Posting number: 2026-01132

Department: Seattle City Light

Job classification: Executive 2

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Engineering, Professional, Executive Management, Utilities

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.

The Electrical Engineering Manager provides management and leadership direction for Generation Operations & Engineering’s electrical engineering unit. The position serves as a key member of the management team. The position has four direct reports, and an overall staff of 19 represented Engineers plus administrative and student engineering staff. The Manager has responsibility for oversight of the electrical work of the Generation Engineering Unit which provides professional and technical services in support of our 700 MW Skagit Hydroelectric Project, the 1050 MW Boundary Hydroelectric Project, and 46 MW Cedar Falls/Tolt Hydroelectric Projects.

Successful candidates must demonstrate their commitment to and involvement in activities that create and sustain a workforce free of racism and discrimination and that values multiculturalism and diversity as a workforce and community asset.

This position reports directly to the Engineering & Technology Operations Director.

Examples of duties

Here is more about what you’ll be doing:

• Provide management and leadership direction to twenty-two (22) full-time employees who plan, develop and maintain the electric power systems for City Light’s hydroelectric generation facilities
• Participate in the oversight of the Generation Operations & Engineering $55M Capital Improvement Project (CIP) annual budget and manage the $2.2M annual Operations & Maintenance (O&M) budget
• Provide oversight of engineering activities for 6 Hydro generating projects, including five high voltage substations, which generate and transmit more than 60% of the total power supplied to the City and serving all of City of Seattle residents and the neighboring municipalities, and connecting to both adjacent electric utility intertie partners; the Bonneville Power Administration and Puget Sound Energy. This work involves substantial policy and financial commitment on the part of the Utility and the City.
• Communicate and coordinate with other agencies such as the north American Electric Reliability Council, the Western Electric Coordinating Council, the Bonneville Power Administration, Puget Sound Energy, Tacoma Power, Snohomish PUD, and other public and private utilities including Columbia Basin Hydro Power (CBHP), Boise Kuna Irrigation District’s Lucky Peak Power Plant Project, Pend Oreille County PUD, and Avista Utilities
• Represent Generation as the lead Subject Matter Expert in all compliance matters affecting the Engineering & Technology Operations Division, provide technical expertise both related to the NERC/WECC Reliability standards, as well NERC/WECC Cyber Security and Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) standards
• Provide lead directions to the entire electrical engineering staff to ensure that we meet our 20-year vision as well as the 6-year CIP plan to keep the hydro generating facilities operating. Respond to workload changes annually to meet developing conditions in the plants
• Actively participate in the preparation of capital improvement plans for the planning and design of new electrical facilities and existing hydro generation facilities, Overhaul of (21) synchronous hydro generators, Governor and excitation controls, replacement of large power transformers, high-voltage circuit breakers and other high and medium voltage equipment, replacement and upgrade of fiber-optic, microwave, mobile radio and wired communication facilities
• Meet regularly with the Power Supply Management Team to review and discuss work planning and interactions with Engineering & Technology Operations Division
• Meet with the System Operations personnel to develop planned outages, discuss and review projects affecting generation and transmission of power to Seattle, and to solicit dispatcher and System operator needs in hydro plants and switching stations
• Ensure on-going employee development and professional training for the electrical engineering staff, so they could be ready to provide the necessary expertise to support operations
• Manage, monitor and administer human resource policies and programs consistently and in support of utility-wide practices to recognize diversity and commitment to racial and social justice
• Administer labor contract fairly and consistently, respond to grievances in a timely and appropriate manner
• Manage the transition of construction drawing preparation and management to a formal document system
• Develop formal Public Works drawing preparation, checking approval and professional engineering stamping of the contract and the in-house project drawings
• Provide general work assignments and recommend staffing levels
• Actively participate in the management of SCL’s document management system and over 100,000+ AutoCAD drawings and other electronic documents
• Provide oversight of section workloads, project schedules and budget
• Actively promote, support and manage key strategic City-wide initiatives including those related to fair and equal employment, diversity and justice in the workplace

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:

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering or related field is required.

Experience: Substantial management and leadership experience in utility management, operations, engineering or related area of responsibility typically gained through 5 or more years progressively responsible assignments; at least three of which were as a manager or supervisor in a large, complex multicultural and diverse organization. In-depth knowledge of power generation systems within the electrical utility industry.

Certification/License:

• Licensed Professional Electrical Engineerwithin the United States and up to 12 months after appointment to attain State of Washington registration
• Washington State Driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility

Desired Qualifications - You will be successful if you have the following experience, skills, and abilities:

• Master’s degree and utility experience preferred
• In-depth knowledge of power generation systems within the electrical utility industry
• Knowledge of federal and state regulations related to power generation and electrical standards
• Knowledge of public sector organization practices, including labor relations
• Skilled in creating and delivering public presentations to a variety of constituents
• Experience managing shifting priorities with very little direction
• Experience recruiting and managing a multicultural and diverse staff that possesses various skills
• Ability to coach, counsel and develop employees, including those of different racial, cultural and demographic backgrounds
• Ability to provide management direction in an environment of change; willingness to make difficult and challenging decisions, and provide clear expectations and directions
• Commitment to fostering creativity and problem solving
• Ability to perform work in the field; field assignments may entail exposure to all types of weather, traffic, hazardous/toxic substances, high voltage energized equipment and work in or near construction sites

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.

Supplemental information

The full salary range for this position is $66.88 to $110.35 per hour ($139,645.44 - $230,410.80 annually).

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 4.79.020Applicants 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.

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