Senior Communications Engineer (Communications Engineer II)

Position Summary

The City is seeking a highly skilled Senior Communications Engineer to serve as a technical authority supporting critical public safety communications systems. This position provides advanced engineering expertise in the planning, design, implementation, maintenance, and modernization of complex voice, radio, and data communications infrastructure that supports emergency responders and essential City services. As a Senior Communications Engineer, you will lead technically complex projects involving the City's public safety radio network and other mission-critical telecommunications systems. You will evaluate operational needs, develop engineering solutions, prepare technical specifications, coordinate with vendors and stakeholders, and provide expert guidance throughout the lifecycle of communications systems. This position plays a vital role in ensuring reliable, secure, and resilient communications for first responders and City operations.

What You'll Do

• Lead the planning, design, implementation, enhancement, and maintenance of complex communications engineering projects.
• Support and maintain the City's mission-critical Public Safety Radio System and other emergency communications infrastructure.
• Design, evaluate, and troubleshoot voice, radio, microwave, fiber optic, metallic cable, paging, alarm, mobile data, and telecommunications systems.
• Translate operational and customer needs into practical engineering solutions while balancing technology, policy, budget, and operational requirements.
• Prepare engineering reports, technical specifications, drawings, schematics, and procurement documents.
• Evaluate vendor proposals and provide technical recommendations for the acquisition of communications equipment and systems.
• Serve as a technical lead on communications infrastructure projects, coordinating work with internal staff, contractors, utilities, vendors, and partner agencies.
• Ensure communications systems meet operational, regulatory, and industry standards while maintaining high levels of reliability and performance.
• Provide technical guidance, mentoring, and subject matter expertise to engineering staff and project teams.
• Support the continuous improvement and modernization of the City's communications systems through research, planning, and implementation of emerging technologies.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is an experienced communications engineering professional who enjoys solving complex technical challenges and supporting systems that are critical to public safety. They are a collaborative problem solver with strong analytical skills and the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences. Successful candidates will have experience designing, implementing, and maintaining large-scale communications systems and are comfortable leading projects that require independent judgment and technical leadership. They are organized, detail-oriented, and committed to providing reliable communications infrastructure that supports emergency responders and City operations.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience applying advanced communications engineering principles, methods, standards, tools, and technologies in the design, implementation, maintenance, and support of complex voice, radio, data, or telecommunications systems.
• Experience evaluating customer or operational needs and translating them into effective communications system requirements while considering technology, operational practices, staffing, costs, and project priorities.
• Ability to prepare clear, accurate, and comprehensive technical reports, engineering documentation, specifications, drawings, schematics, and other written communications.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment, lead technically complex engineering projects, solve difficult technical problems, and provide expert guidance within established policies and standards.
• Experience establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with internal customers, public safety agencies, utilities, contractors, vendors, consultants, and other stakeholders.
• Experience supporting, maintaining, designing, implementing, or troubleshooting large-scale emergency or public safety communications systems, such as P25 radio systems, 9-1-1 communications networks, microwave transmission systems, mobile data systems, or other mission-critical telecommunications infrastructure.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to successfully pass a comprehensive police background investigation.
• A valid state driver's license and an acceptable driving record.

Schedule & Work Location

Full Time. Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM. Alternate schedules may be available. This position reports, in-person, to 3732 SE 99th Ave, Portland, OR 97266, USA.

Starting Pay

The City of Portland follows the Oregon Equal Pay Act. Your salary is determined based on the experience listed in your resume that is directly related and equivalent to the position for which you are applying.