Substation Design Engineer at Avista

Closes: December 17, 2025

Starting Range: $65,410 to $144,406

Full Range: $65,410 to $178,999

Job Description

Designs new or modifies design of existing electrical distribution and transmission substations or switching stations. Assists in the development and evaluation of station layout alternatives and selection of appropriate layout considering input from many diverse sources. Specifies equipment, materials, and assemblies required. Provides physical, electrical, and control designs for construction. Responsible for all drawings and specifications used for construction. Provides field support while construction is in progress and operating procedures when the project is completed. Investigates, identifies, and recommends acquisition of property for station facilities. Initiates request for and supports permitting processes required.

Responsibilities

• Assigned complex electrical substation engineering designs to be completed in a timely manner. Works with both engineering and operations management in the development of these substation designs.
• Manages engineering projects and issues of increasing complexity, size, and number of projects.
• Develops creative solutions and builds business cases to implement those solutions.
• Respond to technical data requests from utility commissions or other agencies.
• Engage in internal or community support activities, including community volunteerism, engagement with utility industry groups, or participation in internal Avista resource groups, initiatives, or councils.
• Mentor other engineers and/or those looking to enter engineering profession.
• May be assigned other tasks as needed.
  
  
  

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor of Science in ABET accredited Engineering Program
• Effective and flexible communication skills
  
  
  

Entry Engineer

• 0-1 years engineering work experience preferred
  
  
  

Assistant Engineer

• Minimum of one (1) year of engineering work experience required
  
  
  

Associate Engineer

• Minimum of two (2) years of engineering work experience required
  
  
  

Engineer

• Minimum of four (4) years engineering work experience required
  
  
  

Senior Engineer

• Minimum of eight (8) years engineering work experience required
• Professional Engineering License
• Demonstrated skills illustrating their use of productivity, presentation, and analytical tools specific to his/her area of expertise
• Demonstrated technical leadership within engineering
• Demonstrated positive and effective working relationships with internal and external parties
• Advanced knowledge, skills, technical proficiency and abilities as demonstrated by a professional engineering license
• Specialty technical proficiency, project leadership, ability to be self-directed
  
  
  

Other combinations of experience, training, and education may be considered.

Entry Engineer: Hiring Range: $65,410 - $84,379, Full Range: $65,410 - 103,347

Assistant Engineer: Hiring Range: $74,611 - $96,621, Full Range: $74,611 - $118,631

Associate Engineer: Hiring Range: $84,939 - $110,421, Full Range: $84,939 - $135,903

Engineer: Hiring Range: $96,517 - $126,439, Full Range: $96,517 - $156,359

Senior Engineer: Hiring Range: $109,815 - $144,406, Full Range: $109,815 - $178,999

Hybrid work options are available for this role. The successful candidate will be required to work at our Spokane, Washington headquarters at least 3 days per week including Mondays and Tuesdays with an additional day determined by the employee and manager.

To Apply

We encourage you to apply as many of our positions have step progressions to account for an incoming employee’s various levels of knowledge, skills, and experience.

Complete an online application and attach your resume and cover letter to your profile. All documents must be attached to your application at the time of submitting your application for review. No documents can be attached after you click "Submit".

Benefits

At Avista, we believe our employees are essential. Through them we deliver value to our customers and the communities we serve. The physical, mental, and financial health and well-being of our employees and their families are important to us. We are committed to offering a comprehensive total rewards program comprised of an externally competitive, internally equitable compensation structure and a benefits package that allows us to retain and attract a diverse, engaged, and skilled workforce. Our benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage, retirement benefits, incentive plans, wellness resources, time-off programs and much more. In addition to our total rewards program, the Pacific Northwest offers abundant outdoor recreation, four distinct seasons, and all the amenities and activities an individual or family might be interested in. To learn more, please visit our benefits website at https://avistabenefits.com/.

Pre-employment Screening Requirements

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a drug test, background check and motor vehicle records review.

Avista’s Commitment to Equal Opportunity

Avista is a safe, inclusive workplace for people of all backgrounds, and we are committed to Equal Opportunity Employment. All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, age, sensory, mental or physical disability (unless based upon a bona fide occupational qualification), Veteran status or any other classification protected by nondiscrimination laws.

Please view Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here. Prior to the next step in the recruiting process, we welcome you to inform us confidentially if you require any special accommodations to participate fully in our recruitment process. Avista will make reasonable accommodation to assist a qualified person with a disability in the job application, interview process, and to perform the essential functions of the job whenever possible, where undue hardship would not be created for Avista. Please contact us at [email protected] if you would like assistance.