Water Professional Engineer

Tacoma Water is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Project Engineer (Professional Engineer) to support drinking water capital projects located throughout Tacoma Water’s system. This position is responsible for design, engineering, project management, and procurement-related work for a wide range of potable water infrastructure projects.

The Project Engineer works independently, leads multidisciplinary project teams, and plays a key role in delivering capital improvements that protect public health and support long‑term system reliability. This position applies professional engineering judgment, manages projects from concept through closeout, and ensures compliance with applicable state and local regulations, internal policies, and industry standards.

This position may be eligible to telework up to two days per week following the training and onboarding period of approximately three months.

• Apply engineering principles and professional judgment to advise and guide departmental activities.
• Prepare or oversee the preparation of engineering plans, specifications, calculations, reports, and as‑built documentation.
• Stamp and sign engineering documents as required under RCW 18.43 and WAC 196.
• Ensure projects comply with state and local regulations, internal policies and procedures, and AWWA guidelines for potable water system improvements administered by the Washington State Department of Health.
• Review and coordinate technical work prepared by consultants, contractors, and vendors.

• Manage all phases of the project lifecycle, including initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and control, and closeout.
• Develop or oversee project charters, business cases, studies, project management plans, schedules, and cost estimates.
• Oversee permitting, procurement, construction submittals, responses to construction questions, change management, and closeout documentation.
• Prepare contract award documents and present recommendations to the Public Utility Board and City Council as required.
• Provide informational presentations to boards, partners, or other stakeholders when needed.

• Serve as the financial agent for assigned projects.
• Create and maintain, or coordinate the creation and maintenance of, project budgets, contracts, amendments, purchase requisitions, and related documentation.
• Review and approve contract invoices, payments, and purchasing documents.
• Track project expenditures, interpret financial reports, and ensure costs are allocated accurately and timely.
• Coordinate accounting and administrative functions to close projects.

• Research, analyze, and compile technical and financial data into reports in accordance with department standards.
• Coordinate, review, and comment on reports prepared by consultants or vendors.
• Prepare and submit reports to the Washington State Department of Health as required.

• Coordinate and oversee the acquisition of all required state and local permits.
• Understand and apply environmental and regulatory requirements, including SEPA, Construction Stormwater and Wastewater permits, and Right-of-Way (ROW) permits.
• Update plans, specifications, and practices to ensure compliance with permit requirements.

Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, environmental engineering, or a directly related field.

4 years of professional‑level engineering experience.

Washington State Licensed Professional Engineer and maintenance thereafter.

Washington State Driver's License.

Depending on the position, additional licenses and/or certifications may also be required.

Relevant education and experience may substitute for one another on a year-for-year basis.

6‑month grace period allowable to transfer PE license from another state to WA.

At the City of Tacoma, we’re on a mission to make our workforce as diverse and inclusive as the community we serve. We’re committed to eliminating racial and other disparities,…