Temporary Operational Technology Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $113,568.00 - $159,910.40 Annually
Location : Tacoma, WA
Job Type: Non-Classified
Job Number: T0410-26
Department: Power
Division: Power - Utility Technology Services
Opening Date: 05/22/2026
Closing Date: 6/8/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
Position Description
Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU) is seeking a Senior Operations Technology Engineer to lead the design, implementation, and modernization of Operational Technology (OT) infrastructure supporting reliable utility operations. In this role, you will serve as a senior technical expert for mission-critical systems spanning control centers, substations, and remote field sites-ensuring high availability, security, and regulatory compliance across TPU's service territory.
As an experienced individual contributor, you will plan and coordinate complex infrastructure initiatives from concept through execution, with deep expertise in virtualization platforms. You will collaborate closely with networking, cybersecurity, SCADA, and compliance teams to develop technical standards, contribute to architecture roadmaps. A key aspect of this role includes serving as a subject matter expert for NERC CIP compliance requirements, supporting audit preparation and execution.
This position requires hands-on technical leadership across the full lifecycle of OT systems-including hardware, operating systems, virtual server environments, and industrial control systems-performed in alignment with established reliability and regulatory compliance standards. The successful candidate will bring advanced troubleshooting skills, a strong understanding of best practices in OT environments, and the ability to work effectively across technical and operational teams.
Job Responsibilities:

• Plan, design, and implement advanced engineering projects supporting operational technology systems, including preparation of specifications, cost estimates, schedules, and technical documentation.
• Research technical and business requirements; develop and review technical specifications and designs to ensure alignment with operational and compliance standards.
• Lead the installation, commissioning, maintenance, and repair of IT/OT computing and control system infrastructure across control centers, substations, and remote field sites.
• Serve as technical lead and subject matter expert for Tacoma Power's private cloud and virtual server environments.
• Assist in the development of technical standards, architecture documents, and long-term technology roadmaps for OT systems.
• Evaluate, test, and deploy system patches, configuration changes, and updates to maintain cybersecurity posture and system stability.
• Design and develop test plans; review and modify programming; manage system upgrades and improvements.
• Compile and maintain project records; create complex drawings and diagrams documenting technical aspects of industrial control systems, solutions architecture, security, and connectivity.
• Monitor system alarms, events, and trends; perform advanced troubleshooting and root-cause analysis of issues impacting operational control systems.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for NERC CIP compliance requirements; prepare technical evidence and documentation to support regulatory audits.
• Analyze system performance logs, optimize configurations, and recommend improvements to ensure high availability and operational efficiency.
• Oversee vendor and contractor performance, managing procurement processes and ensuring compliance with design standards, project specifications, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Develop and review RFQ/RFP documents, technical specifications, and design criteria for new technology initiatives.
• Support application engineers and system operators with configuration changes and system updates impacting operations.
• Participate in 24x7 on-call rotation as a first responder for system incidents and outages.

Qualifications
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
Depending on assignment, some positions may require the ability to pass additional background checks and / or obtain additional certifications, with maintenance thereafter
*Equivalency: 1 year of experience = 1 year of education
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 !
Compensation & Benefits
Pay Details:
Annual Salary: $113,568.00 - $159,910.40
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:
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:
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.
The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.
Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age 26 or younger.
Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age 26 or younger.
Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.
Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.
Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.
Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.
Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.
Other Employment Information
Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.
Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.
Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.
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.
01
Do you have a Bachelor's degree in computer engineering or directly related field, or equivalent years of supplemental experience?*Equivalency: 1 year of experience = 1 year of education

• Yes
• No

02
Do you have at least four years of progressively responsible experience in operational technology, computing infrastructure, or industrial control system engineering?

• Yes
• No

03
Do you have a valid Driver License?

• Yes
• No

04
Responses to supplemental questions must be original content created by the applicant using their own words. The use of online tools or resources to create responses, such as Artificial Intelligence (ChatGPT, etc.), Google, Bing, etc., or plagiarism in any form, is considered cheating and falsification of the application. I understand that any form of cheating or falsification will disqualify my application for further consideration.

• Yes
• No

05
Describe your experience designing, implementing, or maintaining Operational Technology or Industrial Control System infrastructure. What types of environments have you worked in (e.g., substations, control centers, SCADA systems)?
06
Describe your experience with converged or hyper converged infrastructures. What was your role and what did you deliver?
07
Describe your experience evaluating and deploying security patches or configuration changes in an OT or ICS environment. How did you balance cybersecurity requirements with operational continuity?
08
Do you have experience supporting regulatory compliance activities?

• Yes
• No

09
If yes, please describe your role and the nature of your involvement.
10
This position requires participation in a 24x7 on-call rotation as a first responder for system incidents and outages. Can you confirm your ability to meet this requirement? Please describe any relevant on-call experience you have.

• Yes, I can meet this requirement
• No, I cannot meet this requirement

11
Please describe relevant on-call experience:
12
One of the City's Principles that guides us is Equity. Describe what equity means to you and describe an experience you have working with diverse groups of people.
13
Please tell us how you learned about this job opening.

• Job Interest Card notification
• Internet search
• Professional organization
• Community organization
• Military organization
• Union job posting
• City of Tacoma employee
• Online job board posting
• Word of mouth
• Linkedin
• Indeed
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Government Jobs
• NWPPA
• Other

14
Where did you learn about this job?
Required Question