Senior Systems Engineer​/Administrator

Overview

The City of Pasadena Water and Power Department (PWP) is seeking an experienced Senior Systems Engineer/Administrator to manage and support PWP’s Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) systems. This role is responsible for the planning, engineering, and administration of enterprise servers, data storage, OT networks, and core software systems. The position serves as a technical expert and advisor on complex infrastructure, system software, security, and disaster recovery, and acts as project lead for large-scale implementations, upgrades, conversions, and infrastructure changes.

Performs related duties as assigned.

Learn more about working for the Pasadena Water and Power Department here.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience with utility operational technology systems, including SCADA, PI System, unified security platforms, private networks, and server virtualization, and be able to work independently with minimal supervision. They will be responsible for implementing, configuring, upgrading, administering, and supporting these systems. The role also involves collaborating with other support team members to ensure efficient and reliable system communication.

The major responsibilities of this position are listed below. For more detailed information, please review the job description.

• Leads development of enterprise-level strategies for server, storage, network, software, and OT systems, ensuring scalability, reliability, and future readiness.
• Designs, implements, and maintains Water Utility SCADA interfaces, modules, HMI applications, PLC programming, telemetry communications, alarm management, and real-time data acquisition for water distribution and treatment operations.
• Administers and optimizes PI System components (Data Archive, AF, PI Vision, OPC/Modbus interfaces), design tags, models, calculations, dashboards, and reports, and integrate with external systems (SQL, CMMS, GIS) to support operational visibility and decision-making.
• Administers Windows Server environments, virtualization platforms (Nutanix AHV, VMware, Hyper-V), and secure ICS/SCADA network architectures with VLANs, firewalls, and DMZ configurations; implements failover, disaster recovery, and high-availability solutions.
• Develop automation scripts (Power Shell, Python, VBScript), designs system integrations (OPC UA, MQTT, REST APIs, SQL), and implements automated alerts, validations, and reporting to enhance operational intelligence.
• Applies ICS/SCADA cybersecurity best practices (NIST 800-82, AWWA G430), maintain patching, logging, access control, and incident response protocols within OT environments.
• Leads SCADA, historian, and OT projects from planning through implementation, mentors junior engineers, fosters collaboration across operations, IT, and field teams, and communicates technical requirements clearly to stakeholders.
• Configures, maintains, and monitors Security System infrastructure, including servers, storage, cameras, and access controls, ensuring optimal performance and reliability.
• Documents systems, changes, and procedures in line with best practices and change management protocols.
• Duties may vary by assignment and may include responsibility for enterprise infrastructures supporting operational technology (OT), SCADA systems, and specialized real-time applications.
• Performs related duties as assigned

The following core competencies are needed for success in this position.

• Adaptability - Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires
• Attention to Detail - Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products
• Self-Management - Showing personal organization, self-discipline, and dependability
• Business Process Analysis - Defining, assessing, and improving operational processes and workflow
• Oral Communication - Engaging effectively in dialogue
• Leveraging Technology - Applying technology for improvements in organizational efficiency and effectiveness
• Analyzing & Interpreting Data - Drawing meaning and conclusions from quantitative or qualitative data
• Critical Thinking - Analytically and…