Principal Engineer

Job Title: Electrical Principal

Job Description

The Electrical Principal leads the electrical discipline design and engineering for complex and impactful projects, with a strong focus on water and wastewater facilities. As a licensed professional and Engineer-of-Record, this role is responsible for the technical quality, coordination, and delivery of electrical systems design, from concept through construction.

The Electrical Principal applies advanced electrical engineering knowledge and professional judgment to size, evaluate, select, and specify electrical systems in accordance with applicable codes and standards, while also contributing to business development, mentoring staff, and shaping group standards and best practices.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Engineer-of-Record for projects and project components of varying size and complexity, ensuring technical excellence and compliance with codes and standards.
• Evaluate, select, and specify electrical systems, equipment, and products, and review related shop drawings for accuracy and conformance with design intent.
• Develop and refine electrical designs using sketches, electronic models, diagrams, and other visual formats to clearly communicate design concepts.
• Utilize technologies and software tools to create three-dimensional models of electrical systems and integrate them into overall project models.
• Provide supervision, guidance, training, and mentorship to junior and intermediate engineers and designers, supporting their technical and professional development.
• Prepare and revise documentation across all phases of design and construction, including plans, single-line diagrams, ladder control schematics, equipment layouts, and detailed drawings.
• Lead project coordination meetings with internal team members and external stakeholders, including consultants, owners, contractors, subcontractors, and vendors.
• Participate in client meetings to define project requirements, perform value analysis, and support the development of basic construction cost estimates.
• Develop and manage the electrical discipline scope, budget, staffing plan, and schedule for assigned projects to meet quality, timeline, and financial objectives.
• Lead the preparation and coordination of electrical project specifications and ensure their alignment with drawings and other construction documents.
• Conduct quality assurance and constructability reviews of project deliverables produced by peers and subordinate engineers, providing clear and constructive feedback.
• Assist in the creation, maintenance, and updating of electrical group standards and specifications to promote consistency and best practices across projects.
• Contribute to business development activities by assisting with the preparation of proposals and supporting interviews and presentations as required.
• Conduct and oversee field reviews and investigations to assess existing conditions and inform design decisions.
• Provide construction phase services, including responding to requests for information (RFIs), reviewing shop drawings, and performing construction reviews for general conformance with the design.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
• Licensed Professional Engineer.
• Minimum 15 years of electrical engineering experience.
• Extensive experience in low voltage, medium voltage, and high voltage electrical systems.
• Advanced understanding of electrical engineering concepts and the ability to apply them to power distribution, power generation, controls, lighting, and related systems, particularly in water and wastewater applications.
• Requisite knowledge, interpretation, and application of electrical and building codes, including the National Electrical Code and relevant industry standards.
• Strong understanding of all phases of project document production and the relationship between drawings and specifications, especially in the municipal water and wastewater sector.
• Proven ability to lead one or more teams through all phases of project document production, from concept to construction.
• Demonstrated ability to check the work of others for accuracy and completeness and to manage time effectively to meet project budgets and schedules.
• Very strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly present technical information.
• Strong presentation, interpersonal, and interview skills to effectively engage clients and project stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite for documentation, analysis, and communication.
• Proficiency with AutoDesk products such as AutoCAD and/or Bentley products such as MicroStation for design and documentation.
• Experience mentoring and supervising junior staff, with a track record of supporting their growth and development.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience designing electrical systems for building and infrastructure projects, including water and wastewater facilities.
• Familiarity with Revit for building information modeling and coordination is an asset.
• Experience with specialized power system analysis software such as ETAP and/or SKM PowerTools is an asset.
• Strong ability to participate and collaborate in project team settings and to engage in creative and critical thought during design development.
• Ability to develop and refine standards and specifications for an electrical engineering group.
• Experience contributing to proposals and business development activities in a consulting environment.

Work Environment

This role operates within a multidisciplinary consulting environment that offers a wide variety of project types and long-term career growth. The culture emphasizes career orientation, longevity, and learning, with many senior staff having long average tenure and a strong commitment to mentoring and professional development.

The organization maintains a robust backlog of work extending several years, providing stable project flow and opportunities to lead new initiatives. The position follows a hybrid work model, combining remote work with in-office collaboration to support teamwork, coordination, and client interaction.

You will work with modern design and analysis tools, including Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, MicroStation, and Revit and specialized power system software, in a professional setting that encourages collaboration, technical excellence, and continuous improvement.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Seattle, WA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $180000.00 - $450000.00/yr.

401k, profit sharing, bonus, ability to lead and build teams, market sectors, bring business

Workplace Type

This is a fully remote position.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 27, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market.

With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without

regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,

sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected

by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or

adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,

please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the

city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants

with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a

condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law

shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,

including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications

and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you

acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.