Power Systems Engineer Jobs in Washington
Power Systems Engineer jobs in Washington are in strong and steady demand, with openings concentrated in electric utilities, aerospace and defense, and clean energy development, and roles available from entry-level protection and controls positions through senior transmission planning and grid interconnection engineers. Seattle, the Eastside corridor, and the Tri-Cities area account for most of the hiring, where employers like Puget Sound Energy, Bonneville Power Administration, and Boeing have maintained deep engineering workforces for decades. Substation design, renewable integration, and protection engineering are the most in-demand specialties in Washington right now. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 9+ Power Systems Engineer jobs
Power System Protection Engineer
Position Description
Cushing Terrell is seeking a Senior Protection & Studies Engineer to lead and grow our firm’s capabilities in power system protection. As the go-to expert in this space, you will shape the future of our protection practice while delivering hands-on engineering excellence.
In this role, you will:
- Lead the design, analysis, and implementation of protection schemes for substations, distribution systems, and industrial facilities
- Perform system studies, develop protection schemes, coordinate relay settings, and review designs for accuracy and code compliance
- Serve as the technical authority for other teams, providing guidance, mentorship, and support
- Help expand and develop the firm’s protection capabilities, including building and mentoring a growing team
- Collaborate across disciplines on sustainable, impactful projects, influencing both technical direction and firm strategy
This is a high-impact, hands-on role that offers professional growth, exposure to leadership, and the opportunity to build and lead a critical, high-demand specialty within the firm.
Position Salary Range*
The expected salary range for this position is $120,000 to $140,000 annually.
Required Qualifications**
- Bachelor’s degree or higher education in Electrical Engineering
- 8+ years of job-related experience
- Working knowledge of the National Electrical Safety Code and the National Electrical Code
- Licensed Professional Engineer (or ability to obtain by comity) in the state of the hiring Cushing Terrell office
- Advanced knowledge of one or more Electrical Systems Analysis Software packages, ETAP preferred
- Working knowledge of Bluebeam, Outlook, and Microsoft Office
- Proven record of technical competence in areas of electrical system design including but not limited to electrical substations, overhead and underground distribution, and industrial installations, with applicable codes and regulations
- Develop working knowledge of Cushing Terrell’s process and issues affecting productivity and quality control
- Ability to prepare fee proposals, various studies and reports in relation to essential functions listed below
- Work independently or under the direct supervision of a Senior Engineer or Project Manager
- Ability to administer construction contracts and conduct ‘on-site’ observation of work during construction to monitor plan compliance, including administration and review of addendums, substitutions, change orders, and submittals
Did you know that some people hold back on applying to jobs if they don’t meet 100% of the listed requirements? We don’t want you to hold back! If you check most of the qualifications above and believe you could successfully do the work, we encourage you to apply!
Position Responsibilities***
- Perform various studies including short-circuit, load-flow, coordination, grounding, lightning protection, and others as required
- Perform power system studies utilizing one or more power systems analysis software packages
- Produce protective relay settings and setting files utilizing relay vendor software
- Apply NERC-PRC standards to relay coordination and produce applicable compliance reports
- Develop protection schemes for substations & industrial installations
- Coordinate with other substation design disciplines (i.e., P&C design teams)
- Maintain a working knowledge of processes and issues affecting productivity and quality of contract documents and reports
- Act as Engineer-in-responsible-charge, including making technical decisions in their respective field, reviewing, stamping, and signing construction documents
- Develop positive external and internal client relationships and participate in project interviews for firm-wide projects
- Conduct project closeout and quality measurement investigation
Working at Cushing Terrell
Cushing Terrell is a multidisciplinary design firm with 17 offices and more than 500 team members who bring together their expertise to deliver holistic built environments. Leveraging our influence as designers, we work to create sustainable systems and spaces that help people live their best lives.
Why Cushing Terrell
At Cushing Terrell, we empower creative designers to discover imaginative, responsible, first-of-their-kind environments. But more than that, we support a strong, cohesive team, from our design professionals to our business operations staff. Together, we champion diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, placing people at the center of our practice, thus our tagline, “design meets you.” Together, we find joy in uncovering imaginative solutions for the people who work here, the people we work for, and the planet as a whole. We offer a competitive benefits package, work opportunities in a variety of locations and markets, and a company culture that celebrates all the unique viewpoints and personalities that make up our talented team. View our Employee Benefits Guide: https://cushingterrell.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/CushingTerrell_BenefitsGuide_2026_rev.pdf
Things to Note
- Actual pay will be determined based on the candidate’s years of experience, licensure status, location, level of proficiency, and other job-related factors (as permitted by law). This position is also eligible for an annual performance bonus.
**Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Cushing Terrell will not sponsor applicants for work visas.
***The majority of the time, a person in this role will be sitting in an office with limited physical requirements. This may require individuals to bend, stretch, twist, and reach.
Cushing Terrell is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. Contact 406.248.7455 if you require assistance or accommodation during the employment application process.
Note to recruitment agencies: Cushing Terrell does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or agencies. Any resume submitted to any employee of Cushing Terrell without a prior written search agreement will be considered unsolicited and the property of Cushing Terrell.
Power System Protection Engineer
Position Description
Cushing Terrell is seeking a Senior Protection & Studies Engineer to lead and grow our firm’s capabilities in power system protection. As the go-to expert in this space, you will shape the future of our protection practice while delivering hands-on engineering excellence.
In this role, you will:
- Lead the design, analysis, and implementation of protection schemes for substations, distribution systems, and industrial facilities
- Perform system studies, develop protection schemes, coordinate relay settings, and review designs for accuracy and code compliance
- Serve as the technical authority for other teams, providing guidance, mentorship, and support
- Help expand and develop the firm’s protection capabilities, including building and mentoring a growing team
- Collaborate across disciplines on sustainable, impactful projects, influencing both technical direction and firm strategy
This is a high-impact, hands-on role that offers professional growth, exposure to leadership, and the opportunity to build and lead a critical, high-demand specialty within the firm.
Position Salary Range*
The expected salary range for this position is $120,000 to $140,000 annually.
Required Qualifications**
- Bachelor’s degree or higher education in Electrical Engineering
- 8+ years of job-related experience
- Working knowledge of the National Electrical Safety Code and the National Electrical Code
- Licensed Professional Engineer (or ability to obtain by comity) in the state of the hiring Cushing Terrell office
- Advanced knowledge of one or more Electrical Systems Analysis Software packages, ETAP preferred
- Working knowledge of Bluebeam, Outlook, and Microsoft Office
- Proven record of technical competence in areas of electrical system design including but not limited to electrical substations, overhead and underground distribution, and industrial installations, with applicable codes and regulations
- Develop working knowledge of Cushing Terrell’s process and issues affecting productivity and quality control
- Ability to prepare fee proposals, various studies and reports in relation to essential functions listed below
- Work independently or under the direct supervision of a Senior Engineer or Project Manager
- Ability to administer construction contracts and conduct ‘on-site’ observation of work during construction to monitor plan compliance, including administration and review of addendums, substitutions, change orders, and submittals
Did you know that some people hold back on applying to jobs if they don’t meet 100% of the listed requirements? We don’t want you to hold back! If you check most of the qualifications above and believe you could successfully do the work, we encourage you to apply!
Position Responsibilities***
- Perform various studies including short-circuit, load-flow, coordination, grounding, lightning protection, and others as required
- Perform power system studies utilizing one or more power systems analysis software packages
- Produce protective relay settings and setting files utilizing relay vendor software
- Apply NERC-PRC standards to relay coordination and produce applicable compliance reports
- Develop protection schemes for substations & industrial installations
- Coordinate with other substation design disciplines (i.e., P&C design teams)
- Maintain a working knowledge of processes and issues affecting productivity and quality of contract documents and reports
- Act as Engineer-in-responsible-charge, including making technical decisions in their respective field, reviewing, stamping, and signing construction documents
- Develop positive external and internal client relationships and participate in project interviews for firm-wide projects
- Conduct project closeout and quality measurement investigation
Working at Cushing Terrell
Cushing Terrell is a multidisciplinary design firm with 17 offices and more than 500 team members who bring together their expertise to deliver holistic built environments. Leveraging our influence as designers, we work to create sustainable systems and spaces that help people live their best lives.
Why Cushing Terrell
At Cushing Terrell, we empower creative designers to discover imaginative, responsible, first-of-their-kind environments. But more than that, we support a strong, cohesive team, from our design professionals to our business operations staff. Together, we champion diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, placing people at the center of our practice, thus our tagline, “design meets you.” Together, we find joy in uncovering imaginative solutions for the people who work here, the people we work for, and the planet as a whole. We offer a competitive benefits package, work opportunities in a variety of locations and markets, and a company culture that celebrates all the unique viewpoints and personalities that make up our talented team. View our Employee Benefits Guide: https://cushingterrell.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/CushingTerrell_BenefitsGuide_2026_rev.pdf
Things to Note
- Actual pay will be determined based on the candidate’s years of experience, licensure status, location, level of proficiency, and other job-related factors (as permitted by law). This position is also eligible for an annual performance bonus.
**Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Cushing Terrell will not sponsor applicants for work visas.
***The majority of the time, a person in this role will be sitting in an office with limited physical requirements. This may require individuals to bend, stretch, twist, and reach.
Cushing Terrell is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. Contact 406.248.7455 if you require assistance or accommodation during the employment application process.
Note to recruitment agencies: Cushing Terrell does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or agencies. Any resume submitted to any employee of Cushing Terrell without a prior written search agreement will be considered unsolicited and the property of Cushing Terrell.
See All 9 Power Systems Engineer Jobs in Washington
Find roles in Washington that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Power Systems Engineer JobsPower Systems Engineer Jobs by City in Washington
Where Washington roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Power Systems Engineer Job Market in Washington
A snapshot from current Washington openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Aerospace & Defense
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Washington Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in power systems engineer jobs across Washington.
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a closely related power systems discipline
- Professional Engineer license issued or recognized by the Washington State Department of Licensing
- Hands-on experience with substation design, protection relaying, or transmission planning
- Proficiency in power systems analysis software such as PSS/E, PSCAD, or ETAP
- Familiarity with NERC reliability standards and Western Interconnection operating requirements
- Experience coordinating interconnection studies or working with utility grid operations teams
Power Systems Engineer Jobs in Washington: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a power systems engineer in Washington?
The standard path begins with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, followed by gaining engineering experience and passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, then pursuing licensure as a Professional Engineer through the Washington State Department of Licensing. The PE license is widely expected for engineers who sign off on utility or substation work in Washington. Entry-level candidates often start in protection and controls or distribution planning roles before advancing to transmission or generation work.
How much do power systems engineers make in Washington?
Power systems engineers in Washington earn a median of about $134,570 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $81,280 for the lowest 10% to over $196,120 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire power systems engineers in Washington?
Employers hiring power systems engineers in Washington right now include Cushing Terrell, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, and GE Vernova, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Washington's mix of investor-owned utilities, federal power agencies, and aerospace firms means demand cuts across both regulated energy and defense-adjacent engineering teams.
Which Washington cities have the most power systems engineer jobs?
Pullman, Seattle, and Pasco have the most power systems engineer openings in Washington. Seattle and the Eastside attract the largest share because of headquarters and regional operations for major utilities and engineering consultancies, while the Tri-Cities area draws consistent demand from Bonneville Power Administration and energy infrastructure projects tied to the Columbia River system.
Are there remote power systems engineer jobs in Washington?
Yes, but they're rare. Power systems engineering is heavily hands-on, with much of the work tied to substations, field commissioning, and utility control rooms that require physical presence. About 0% of power systems engineer openings tied to Washington are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, and when remote work does appear it is typically limited to modeling, planning, and load flow analysis tasks that do not require site access.
How can I get hired as a power systems engineer in Washington with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to new-grad or associate engineer programs at Washington's large utilities, where Puget Sound Energy and Bonneville Power Administration both bring in early-career engineers for structured rotational or development roles. Candidates with an EIT credential from passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam have a concrete edge. Adjacent roles like electrical design technician or relay technician at engineering consultancies also serve as a strong on-ramp into full power systems engineering positions.
Where can I find and apply to power systems engineer jobs in Washington?
You can find and apply to power systems engineer jobs in Washington on Migrate Mate, which lists current Washington openings from utilities, engineering firms, aerospace employers, and federal agencies. Find roles that fit your experience and apply directly.
See All 9 Power Systems Engineer Jobs in Washington
Find roles in Washington that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Power Systems Engineer Jobs