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Associate Engineer Jobs in Tacoma, WA (NOW HIRING)

Associate SCADA Engineer

Seattle, WA · Hybrid

$62.32 - $72.73/hr

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is looking for a talented Associate SCADA Engineer (classified as Electrical Engineer, Associate) to help drive innovation and reliability across the city's essential ...

Associate SCADA Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$62.32 - $72.73/hr

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is looking for a talented Associate SCADA Engineer (classified as Electrical Engineer, Associate) to help drive innovation and reliability across the city's essential ...

Associate Systems Engineer

Tukwila, WA · On-site

$98K - $133K/yr

Associate Systems Engineer Company: The Boeing Company Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS) Mobility, Surveillance & Bombers (MS&B) Organization is seeking Associate Systems Engineers to support ...

Associate Civil Engineer

Lakewood, WA · On-site

$8.5K - $10K/mo

As an Associate Civil Engineer, you will have the opportunity to develop your skills and expertise through review of public and private development projects, oversight of maintenance and operations ...

(USA) Principal, Software Engineer

Bellevue, WA · On-site

$152K - $204K/yr

Join Walmart as a Principal Software Engineer for the Colony Platform within our AI & Data organization and help make it trivially easy for associates - engineers, data scientists, and builders- to ...

(USA) Senior, Software Engineer

Bellevue, WA · On-site

$138K - $182K/yr

About the Team Our team builds intelligent platforms that make associates' jobs easier, faster, and ... Experience in agile, DevOps practices, and CI/CD pipelines and automation scripting. About Walmart ...

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Associate Engineer information

See Tacoma, WA salary details

$44.5K

$88.5K

$141.4K

How much do associate engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate engineer in Tacoma, WA is $88,540.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $70,200.00 and $101,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an associate engineer?

Associate Engineers are entry-level engineering professionals who support more experienced engineers in designing, developing, testing, and maintaining various projects in their field. They typically work under supervision and assist with tasks such as drafting technical documents, conducting research, analyzing data, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. Associate Engineers often gain practical experience and training to advance to higher-level engineering roles as they develop their skills.

What is the difference between Associate Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectAssociate EngineerMechanical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering or related field; entry-level certificationsBachelor's degree in mechanical engineering; professional licensure (optional)
Work EnvironmentDesign, testing, and support roles in engineering teams; often in office or lab settingsDesign, analysis, and manufacturing in industrial or construction settings
Employer & Industry UsageEntry-level position across various industries like manufacturing, construction, and techDesign and development roles primarily in manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, and energy sectors

The main difference between an Associate Engineer and a Mechanical Engineer lies in experience and responsibilities. Associate Engineers are typically entry-level, focusing on supporting engineering tasks, while Mechanical Engineers have more experience and handle complex design and analysis responsibilities. Both roles require a bachelor's degree, but Mechanical Engineers often pursue licensure for advanced roles. The choice depends on your experience level and career goals within engineering fields.

What are some typical challenges associate engineers face when transitioning from academic projects to industry roles?

Associate Engineers often find the transition from academic projects to industry roles challenging due to differences in project scope, teamwork dynamics, and pace. In industry, you’ll likely work on larger, multi-disciplinary teams where effective communication and collaboration are crucial. Additionally, projects often have stricter deadlines and require adherence to established processes and standards, which may be less emphasized in academic settings. Embracing continuous learning and seeking mentorship from senior engineers can help ease this transition and set you up for success.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Associate Engineer, you need a solid grasp of engineering principles, problem-solving abilities, and a relevant bachelor's degree. Familiarity with CAD software, industry-specific tools, and basic project management systems is typically required. Strong teamwork, attention to detail, and effective communication set standout candidates apart. These skills and qualities are crucial for delivering accurate technical solutions and contributing effectively to engineering projects.
What are the most commonly searched types of Engineer jobs in Tacoma, WA? The most popular types of Engineer jobs in Tacoma, WA are:
What job categories do people searching Associate Engineer jobs in Tacoma, WA look for? The top searched job categories for Associate Engineer jobs in Tacoma, WA are:
What cities near Tacoma, WA are hiring for Associate Engineer jobs? Cities near Tacoma, WA with the most Associate Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Associate Engineer job openings in Tacoma, WA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 69% Full Time, 27% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,540 per year, or $42.6 per hour.

Associate SCADA Engineer

City of Seattle

Seattle, WA • Hybrid

$62.32 - $72.73/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 27 days ago


City Of Seattle rating

8.9

Company rating: 8.9 out of 10

Based on 31 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

120th of 841 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

Position Description Please DO NOT attach resumes and cover letters, as they will not be considered in the review of candidate's qualifications. An online application, including responses to the supplemental questionnaire, must be fully completed for consideration. Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is looking for a talented Associate SCADA Engineer (classified as Electrical Engineer, Associate) to help drive innovation and reliability across the city's essential infrastructure.

In this role, you'll play a key part in engineering design, electrical and industrial safety, standards compliance, system maintenance, planning, and commissioning. Your expertise will directly support SPU's critical control systems-making you a vital contributor in every stage of project delivery and system integration. Are you an experienced industrial control panel design engineer.

Do you thrive in fully documented design cycles. Do you enjoy bringing control panel deployments to life and ensuring seamless integration. Does decoding and applying industry standards energize you.

Are you skilled in developing design specifications, guidelines, control narratives, loop descriptions, instrumentation diagrams, and integration plans. If so, you'll be right at home supporting SPU's major lines of business-water treatment, water distribution, drainage and wastewater, and solid waste. This role specializes in providing top-tier engineering support for control panels, instrumentation, and control systems central to industrial operations.

If this technical challenge fits your strengths and interests, this could be the opportunity you've been searching for. Let's build the future of Seattle's infrastructure together-let's grow together. If this position's technical specialization is within your comfort zone, then this might be the job you are looking for.

Let's grow together. About Seattle Public Utilities (SPU): Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is a Community Centered Utility whose mission is to foster healthy people, environment, and economy by partnering with our community to equitably manage water and waste resources for today and future generations. About Seattle Public Utilities (SPU): Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is a Community Centered Utility whose mission is to foster healthy people, environment, and economy by partnering with our community to equitably manage water and waste resources for today and future generations.

We deliver high quality, vital services, across four major lines of business: providing water, solid waste, drainage and wastewater services for Seattle residents and businesses. In addition, SPU provides drinking water for 1.5 million regional customers in Seattle and other municipalities. Our customers depend on us to deliver high quality, reliable, and cost-conscious utility services and to achieve the highest benefits possible for every investment we make

For more information about Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), please visit: SPU Workplace Expectations (Download PDF reader) (Download PDF reader) Strategic Business Plan Shape Our Water Plan SPU commits to Our City Values and Race and Social Justice as core principles that guide our work. We actively take steps to dismantle systemic racism and increase service equity. We value diverse life experiences and strive to create a workplace that is welcoming to all.

We take steps to be inclusive and equitable in our recruiting, hiring, and promotional opportunities. Why join us. We know work isn't only about what you do, it's also about who you work for and with.

SPU provides a fun and family-friendly work environment that supports a work life balance, including: Hybrid work schedule opportunities as agreed by the employee and their supervisor and may be subject to change based on business needs. Family-friendly and multicultural work environment. Generous benefits package.

Free public transportation options. City pension plan with employer/employee contributions. Growth potential and advancement opportunities.

Job Responsibilities This position will support instrumentation and controls integrations and assist the Sr. SCADA Engineer in providing control system engineering support services across all lines of business within SPU. Evaluating and planning the resolution of deficiencies in instrumentation and process safety.

Supporting SPU instrumentation and control project design cycle and submittal review across all lines of business in SPU as needed. Developing test plans in support of SPU instrumentation and control commissioning and integration activities. Proactively checking on the revision statuses of code standards to support Instrumentation and control engineering best practices.

Applying project controls and activity management support. Applying Instrumentation and control change management. Applying customer care principles - clear communication, listening carefully, respond promptly, transparent, and empathetic towards clients and colleagues.

Applying and interpreting national and international standards. Qualifications Experience: Requires a minimum of three (3) years of applied experience as a support engineer in the field of instrumentation and controls design and support. Education: Bachelor's degree in physics, process, chemical, computer science, electronics, electrical, mechanical, or industrial engineering, or a closely related engineering field, which provides preparation to do professional engineering work.

Licenses: Current Washington State driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility. Working Environment/Physical Demands: May support incident response emergency services as an on-call resource to the standby duty supervisor as needed. Most work is performed in a normal City work/office environment.

Field assignments may entail exposure to all types of weather, traffic, hazardous/toxic substances, potentially energized equipment and work in or near construction sites. May be required to stand, walk, or bend for extended periods of time. May be required to work nights, evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.

Overnight travel may be required. This hiring process involves a background check of conviction and arrest records in compliance with Seattle's Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will be provided with an opportunity to explain or correct background information

Desired Qualifications: Strong written and verbal articulation skills. Strong control panel design skills. Strong instrumentation and controls design skills.

Strong understanding of industrial standards and norms. Experience applying UL508A Safety standard for industrial control panels design and fabrication, along with UL2416 Safety and performance standard for technology communications and rack systems. Experience applying ISA-105 standards in testing practices and its business application.

Knowledge of ISA 5.0 Documentation of Measurement and control instruments i.e., instrument certification and audit sheets, as well as ISA 5.4 Loop drawings, and ISA 88 Process descriptions, models and terminologies i.e., control narratives/descriptions. Knowledge of IEC 61508 Analysis of process risks and hazards, as well as the application of part 1, 2, and 3 of standard IEC 61511 for Safety Instrumented system life cycle management. Experience applying OSHA29 CFR 1910.119e standards to perform process hazard analyses (PHA), OSHA Standards for machine guarding 29CFR 1910.212, as well as knowledge of NSI/ISA 84.91 Standard for maintaining and applying interlocks

Knowledge of NEC | NFPA 70 & 79 standards on electrical installations and control panels, Article 409 Industrial control panels, short circuit ratings calculations and NFPA Class 1 Flammable gases or vapors, Class 2 Combustible dust, and Class 3 Ignitable fibers. This position allows for the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule. Employees will be required to come into the office, a minimum of three days per week.

Individual schedules will be agreed upon by the employee and their manager. Additional Information This is a continuous posting, and the first review will occur on 7/24. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

How to apply: An online application including response to the supplemental questionnaire must be fully completed for consideration. Please DO NOT attach resumes and cover letters, as they will not be considered in the review of candidate's qualifications. The full salary range for this position is $62.32 - $72.73 hourly

This hiring process involves a background check of conviction and arrest records in compliance with Seattle's Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SME 14.17. Applicants will be provided with an opportunity to explain or correct background information. SPU's safety program requires a pre-employment medical assessment as a condition of employment in this position

Who may apply: The City of Seattle encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experience. This position is open to all qualified candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle 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. 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 For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact: Zachary Brown at zach.brown@seattle.gov

Employer City of Seattle Address Seattle Municipal Tower 700 5th Avenue, Suite 5500 Seattle, Washington, 98104 Website http://www.seattle.gov/jobs| Learn more about Seattle Public Utilities at www.seattle.gov/util/and check us out on social media.


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