Civil Engineering Manager

Tacoma Power is looking for an engineering leader who can balance technical depth with people‑first management to keep critical hydroelectric and utility infrastructure safe, reliable, and ready for what’s next. This role manages the civil engineering function supporting hydroelectric generation and related infrastructure, with oversight from project planning through design, procurement, construction, commissioning, testing, troubleshooting, and closeout.

You will lead a team that supports dams, penstocks, water conveyance systems, foundations, buildings, bridges, and other essential civil assets tied to clean, safe, environmentally responsible power for our customers.

You will lead Tacoma Power’s civil engineering function supporting hydroelectric generation and related infrastructure. You’ll guide work from planning and design through procurement, construction, commissioning, and closeout, while keeping safety, quality, schedule, budget, and customer outcomes at the center.

• People leadership: hire, coach, develop, and inspire a team of engineers, technicians, and construction coordination staff; build a positive, accountable, and engaged culture.
• Engineering oversight: provide direction and technical review, approve design drawings prepared by professional engineers, and standardize systems and processes to strengthen efficiency and reliability.
• Project and contract management: define scope and priorities, develop and manage budgets, oversee specifications and procurement, negotiate and administer contracts, and track progress and performance in work/progress tracking tools.
• Compliance and stakeholder partnership: ensure compliance with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) dam safety requirements, coordinate engineering support for dam safety commitments, communicate clearly with internal and external stakeholders, and keep leaders informed.
• Operational support: provide engineering call‑out support as available, including occasional off‑hours site visits during outages or urgent repairs.

Tacoma Power owns and operates significant regional assets including dams and reservoirs, powerhouses, fish hatcheries, migratory fish infrastructure, bridges, towers, campgrounds and recreation facilities, and hundreds of buildings. You’ll have the opportunity to modernize engineering processes, strengthen safety and compliance, and help deliver reliable clean energy while supporting the communities and waterways we serve.

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, or directly related field

• 6 years of increasingly responsible civil/structural engineering experience supporting hydroelectric, dam safety, utility, or comparable heavy industrial infrastructure, including 1 year of experience as supervisor, manager or SME

• 2 years as a licensed professional engineer
• Professional Engineering License in the State of Washington
• Experience in hydro operations, transmission and distribution systems, or dam safety
• Knowledge of FERC dam safety requirements

This position will be required to complete annual CIP training after employment and pass a comprehensive personal risk assessment (background check) prior to employment and every five years thereafter as required by federal regulatory requirements (NERC‑CIP).

Washington State Driver’s License.

• Proven people leadership skills, including the ability to coach, develop, and set clear expectations for a technical team.
• Strong relationship‑building and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively and respectfully with a wide range of partners, including operations and maintenance teams.
• Clear, confident communication skills (written and verbal), including the ability to produce and present reports, records, and presentations for technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Working knowledge of civil systems supporting utility or industrial infrastructure.
• Ability to review, interpret, and approve engineering designs, plans, and technical documentation with sound engineering judgment.
• Strong project management capability,…