Innovation Lab Engineer

Avista Corporation; Spokane (WA); Hybrid; USD 76,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Affordable healthcare options

Retirement benefits with enhanced 401k

Incentive programs

Competitive PTO

Life and disability insurance

Wellness resources

Tuition assistance

Community giving programs

Legal and pet insurance

Job summary

Avista Corporation, through the Energy Innovation Lab, is expanding its portfolio of grid solutions including Energy Storage, Microgrids, and DER integration. The Lab Engineer collaborates with internal and external partners to develop, define, and implement innovative projects with potential for large-scale utility adoption.

The role blends advanced power systems expertise with creativity and teamwork, offering hybrid work options and a requirement to work at the Scott Morris Center in Spokane,

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in an ABET-accredited Engineering Program (Electrical, Mechanical, or related discipline) is required.
• Entry Engineer requires 0–1 years of engineering work experience; Hiring Range: $68,027 to $87,754.
• Assistant Engineer requires minimum 1 year of engineering work experience; Hiring Range: $77,595 to $100,486.
• Associate Engineer requires minimum 2 years of engineering work experience; Hiring Range: $88,336 to $114,838.
• Engineer requires minimum 4 years of engineering work experience; Hiring Range: $100,378 to $131,496.
• Senior Engineer requires minimum 6 years of engineering work experience; strong leadership and collaboration skills; Hiring Range: $114,207 to $150,183.

Responsibilities

• Develop business cases, define project scope, and specify equipment requirements.
• Provide design oversight and collaborate with internal and external partners to test and validate solutions before field deployment.
• Establish procedures, standards, and safe integration practices for new technologies on the grid.
• Work with hardware-in-the-loop tools and prototyping environments to validate concepts.
• Coordinate with subject matter experts to ensure reliable operation and cross-functional alignment.

Skills

Power systems

Project leadership

Analytical skills

Concise writing

Collaboration

Education

BS in ABET-accredited Engineering Program (Electrical/Mechanical)

Tools

Synergi

ASPEN

HYPERSIM

PSCAD

SCADA

Ignition

PLC

Protective relays

Python

C#

SQL

Job description

The Energy Innovation Lab is engaged in an expanding portfolio of projects focused on enabling advanced grid solutions for Avista, including Energy Storage, Microgrids, and Distributed Energy Resource integration. The Lab Engineer collaborates with internal stakeholders and external partners to develop, define, and implement innovative projects with potential for large-scale adoption by the utility. This role requires a combination of advanced power systems and utility industry expertise, alongside creativity and strong collaborative abilities.

Lab Engineer responsibilities encompass developing business cases, defining project scope, specifying equipment requirements, and providing design oversight. Engineers have access to state-of-the-art tools such as a hardware-in-the-loop simulator and flexible prototyping environments, enabling them to develop, validate, and collaboratively test solutions prior to field deployment. Lab Engineers also work closely with subject matter experts across the utility to establish operational procedures and standards, ensuring the safe and reliable integration of new technologies on the grid.

Requirements:

Bachelor of Science in an ABET-accredited Engineering Program (Electrical, Mechanical, or related discipline)

Entry Engineer

• 0-1 years engineering work experience preferred
• Hiring Range: $68,027 to $87,754

Assistant Engineer

• Minimum of one (1) year of engineering work experience required
• Hiring Range: $77,595 to $100,486

Associate Engineer

• Minimum of two (2) years of engineering work experience required
• Hiring Range: $88,336 to $114,838

Engineer

• Minimum of four (4) years engineering work experience required
• Hiring Range: $100,378 to $131,496

Senior Engineer

• Minimum of six (6) years engineering work experience required
• Demonstrated skills illustrating use of productivity, presentation, and analytical tools specific to area of expertise
• Demonstrated technical leadership within engineering
• Demonstrated positive and effective working relationships with internal and external parties
• Specialty technical proficiency, project leadership, and ability to be self-directed
• Hiring Range: $114,207 to $150,183

Preferred Requirements

Electrical Engineer with emphasis in power systems or controls

Electrical Design Experience: Distribution, Generation, Controls

Experience with Battery Energy Storage Systems, including their specification, operation, and safety standards

Expertise with power system modeling using software such as: Synergi, ASPEN, HYPERSIM and PSCAD

Experience with utility systems including SCADA, Ignition, PLC, protective relays, or communications

Experience using Python, C Sharp, SQL, or other code-based methods to create custom tools and integrate data between systems

Knowledge of testing and validation procedures, including hardware-in-the-loop, and end-to-end.

Concise writing and communications style, ability to express complex topics in simple terms

Experience with the development of specification requirements for procurement

Self-motivated, highly driven and ability to self-teach

Strong desire to learn and create, and help others learn and create

Emphasis on safety, customer experience and teamwork .

Other combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Hybrid work options are available for this role. The successful candidate willbe requiredto work at our Scott Morris Center location in Spokane, Washington at least 3 days per week including Mondays and Tuesdays withadditionalday(s)determinedby the manager.

Total Rewards

At Avista, our employees are the foundation of our success. Their dedication drives the value we deliver to our customers and communities. That’s why we prioritize the physical, mental, and financial well-being of our team members and their families.

We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards program designed to support every stage of life and career. Our offerings include:

• Affordable healthcare options including medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Retirement benefits with an enhanced 401(k) match
• Incentive programs rewarding performance and contributions
• Competitive paid time off including holidays, personal days, and vacation
• Life and disability insurance for added peace of mind
• Wellness resources supporting mental and physical health
• Education and development support including tuition assistance
• Community giving programs encouraging employee engagement and impact
• Other optional benefits from Legal insurance, Pet insurance, and more (Eligibility subject to Bargaining Unit affiliation)

We are committed to maintaining a competitive and equitable total rewards package that attracts and retains a diverse, skilled, and engaged workforce.

In compliance with state laws, we provide the full salary range for each position, along with the typical hiring range based on qualifications, experience, and internal equity. The full salary range for this position is [Insert Full Range $min to $maximum]. Questions regarding compliance with this requirement can be directed to [e-mail] .

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 performance essential functions of the job whenever possible, where undue hardship would not be created for Avista. Please contact us at [e-mail] if you would like assistance.

Qualifications

Licenses & Certifications

Preferred

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities