Title: Principal Engineer
Company: Energy Northwest
Location: Richland, Washington, United States
Brittany Whitfield, PE, principal engineer at Energy Northwest, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Engineers for dedication, achievements, and leadership in mechanical engineering.
Celebrating more than 20 years in the engineering field, Ms. Whitfield started her most recent role as principal engineer at Energy Northwest in 2025. This public power agency operates throughout nearly 30 districts and municipalities serving over 1.5 million people across the state of Washington. As a principal engineer, Ms. Whitfield utilizes her extensive experience with a wide range of engineering projects, including construction, equipment procurement, wastewater treatment, and piping and pump systems. These skills build on a natural aptitude toward mechanical engineering that she first demonstrated as a teenager.
Although she originally envisioned pursuing a career as a math teacher, Ms. Whitfield was encouraged to consider engineering by her 11th grade precalculus teacher. Overcoming childhood trauma from an abusive upbringing, she started her professional life in 2004 as a field engineer with Sletten Construction Company. Ms. Whitfield gained significant experience across more than five years as a mechanical engineer and construction engineer with Carollo Engineers. Following that, she contributed as a consulting engineer with Aronson Security Group; staff mechanical engineer with GE Water & Process Technologies; senior engineer with Brown and Caldwell; senior mechanical systems engineer with Bechtel Corporation; portable water system design authority with Mission Support Alliance; and engineering manager with Black & Veatch. Most recently, prior to joining Energy Northwest, Ms. Whitfield served as a senior engineer for the city of Pasco, Washington.
Before embarking upon her professional journey, Ms. Whitfield prioritized her education, beginning with a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2003. Continuing her academic progress after starting her career, she obtained a Master of Science in mechanical engineering from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona in 2011. Subsequently, Ms. Whitfield earned a second master’s degree in engineering and technology management from Washington State University Global Campus in 2023. Committed to lifelong learning, she has pursued a number of additional credentials. Ms. Whitfield has been registered as a professional mechanical engineer through the Washington Board of Registration for Professional Engineers & Land Surveyors since 2013 and has also registered as a professional engineer in Nevada, Arizona and Oregon. She has also been certified as a micro/ultra membrane filtration specialist through the Northwest Membrane Operator Association, in project management through the Washington State University Global Campus, and in systems engineering management through the same institution.
Ms. Whitfield has been a member of several important organizations relevant to her field. Most notably, she is affiliated with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the American Water Works Association and the American Public Works Association. Ms. Whitfield’s accomplishments were recognized when she participated in Team Concepts Training Services’ Leadership Development Program in 2019. She prides herself on offering support to young people entering the engineering field, including past volunteer work with Junior Achievement USA.
Outside of work obligations, Ms. Whitfield relaxes by hiking and playing piano. Though she also enjoys building with Lego bricks, she notes that she does not fit neatly into the stereotype of a mechanical engineer, emphasizing a fun-loving personality and an outgoing approach to life. Having overcome significant challenges to fulfill her dreams, Ms. Whitfield hopes to devote more time in the coming years to mentoring aspiring engineers. She also aims to step into roles of greater leadership as her professional life continues moving forward.
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