Infrastructure Engineer Principal

Position Description

Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU) is seeking a highly skilled

l 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.

Computing Systems Engineer

Qualifications Minimum Education*

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

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

Licensing, Certifications And Other Requirements

Washington State Driver's License

+ 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.

Knowledge & Skills

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.