Substation Design Engineer

Closes: December 17 2025
Starting Range: $65410 to $144406
Full Range: $65410 to $178999

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.

• 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 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: $65410 - $84379 Full Range: $65410 - 103347

Assistant Engineer: Hiring Range: $74611 - $96621 Full Range: $74611 - $118631 

Associate Engineer: Hiring Range: $84939 - $110421 Full Range: $84939 - $135903 

Engineer: Hiring Range: $96517 - $126439 Full Range: $96517 - $156359

Senior Engineer: Hiring Range: $109815 - $144406 Full Range: $109815 - $178999

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

Avistas 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 if you would like assistance.