Senior Engineer – Thermal (Plant Construction & Operations)

Idaho Power Company; Mountain Home (ID); On-site; USD 130,000 - 157,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee incentive plan

401k match

Pension plan

Job summary

Idaho Power Company in Mountain Home, Idaho, seeks a Senior Engineer to join the Power Production Engineering and Resource Development team to design, construct, and optimize thermal generation assets such as gas turbines and RICE.

The role emphasizes performance analysis, testing, and data-driven improvements, with responsibilities spanning design support, performance tracking, and outage coordination. A PE or ABET degree and substantial experience are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering from ABET-accredited institution.
• Experience: 6 years in related engineering, or 5 years with PE or an advanced degree and 3 years in the area.
• Valid driver’s license with acceptable driving record.

Responsibilities

• Design and construction support for new RICE and simple-cycle gas turbines.
• Track heat rate, output, efficiency, and emissions for RICE and gas turbines.
• Plan and conduct performance testing, pre- and post-outage.
• Analyze plant historian data to identify performance losses and improvements.
• Support outage planning and coordination with operations, maintenance, and OEMs.
• Provide technical input on capital projects and future thermal development.

Skills

Engineering principles

Thermal performance

Power generation

Reciprocating engines

Gas turbine

Thermodynamics

Heat transfer

Plant design

Data analysis

Education

ABET-accredited B.S. in Engineering

PE license or EIT pathway

Tools

PI System

Thermoflow

Excel

Power BI

Job description

# of Positions:

1

Application Deadline:

11/30/2026 at 11:59 pm Mountain Time

Job Type:

Regular

Exemption Status:

Exempt

Pay Range:

$130,062.40 - $156,644.80

Idaho Power - located in Mountain Home, Idaho - is looking for a Senior Engineer to join our Power Production Engineering and Resource Development team as a Thermal Engineer supporting the design, construction and performance of our gas turbine and/or reciprocating engine generation fleet. It's an exciting time to work for Idaho Power. Our work plays a critical role in communities we serve across Idaho and Oregon, and we're working hard to provide our customers with safe, reliable, and affordable energy they depend on.

What does a Senior Engineer do for us?

This role plans and leads moderately complex assignments and projects, interfaces with internal departments and external organizations, and receives high-level guidance from leaders and other engineers as needed. With a focus on thermal generation, this engineer monitors, analyzes, and improves the performance, efficiency, and reliability of reciprocating internal combustion engines (RICE), combined-cycle, and simple-cycle gas turbine plants.

Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting the design and construction of new RICE and simple-cycle gas turbines.
• Tracking and trending key performance indicators such as heat rate, output, efficiency, availability, vibrations, and emissions for RICE and gas turbines
• Planning and conducting performance testing, including pre- and post-outage testing, to evaluate degradation and validate maintenance and upgrade results
• Analyzing plant historian and control system data to identify performance losses, root causes, and improvement opportunities
• Supporting outage planning, inspections, and condition assessments in coordination with plant operations, maintenance, and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs)
• Providing technical input on capital projects, upgrades, and future thermal generation development

In addition to the meaningful work we do, we offer work-life balance, competitive pay and benefits, an employee incentive plan, and both a 401k employer-match and a pension plan, making Idaho Power one of the best employers in the state.

A COMPETITIVE CANDIDATE WILL HAVE

Knowledge of:

• Engineering principles
• Moderate degree of specific knowledge related to thermal performance
• Utilities and their business environment
• Reciprocating engine, gas turbine, and combined-cycle operation, performance, and maintenance practices
• Thermodynamics, including Brayton, Otto and combined-cycle (Brayton-Rankine) power cycles and heat rate analysis
• Heat transfer and fluid mechanics as applied to power generation
• Power plant design principles and construction practices

Skills in:

• Interdisciplinary skills
• Effective oral and written communication
• Proficient use of computers and software related to position
• Performance testing, data trending, and use of plant historian and performance monitoring tools
• Heat rate, output, and degradation analysis, including correcting performance results to reference conditions
• Thermal performance modeling and data analysis tools (e.g., PI System, Thermoflow, Excel/Power BI)
• Vibration and dynamics analysis
• Root cause analysis and condition monitoring for thermal power plant equipment
• Cost-benefit analysis to support maintenance, upgrade, and capital project decisions
• Construction inspection

Ability to:

• Manage and coordinate projects of increasing complexity
• Manage and coordinate contractors
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Work both independently and on project teams
• Develop alternatives and work with others to evaluate their value and potential for meeting company needs
• Analyze complex datasets and databases
• Prepare written and oral reports of problems, alternatives, and recommendations
• Translate engine performance data into actionable recommendations that improve efficiency, reliability, and cost
• Manage construction activities and inspections

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from an ABET accredited institution
• undefined
• Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from a non-ABET accredited institution and a Professional Engineer (PE) license

Experience:

• 6 years of related engineering experience _ OR _ 5 years of related engineering experience _ plus _ PE or advanced engineering degree, and 3 years in the area of expertise

Licenses & Certifications:

• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record based on driving requirements for the position for all roles
• Preferred:
  • Professional Engineer (PE) or Engineer in Training (EIT) designation
  • Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline
  • Power plant experience, such as engineering, operations, or maintenance at a combined-cycle, simple-cycle, RICE or other thermal generating facility

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This position has both office and field requirements. This position requires working at a desk/computer for extended periods of time. It requires the use of office equipment, fine motor skills including typing on the computer, dialing phones, filing paper, and working in close proximity to other people. It also requires walking on even/uneven surfaces and ascents/descents, up to 5 miles daily, while carrying 14-26 lbs. of equipment. Lifting of up to 36 lbs. and carrying up to 30 lbs., (up to 50 feet), is performed occasionally. Climbing of ladders/racks and work within elevated lifts (up to 40 feet high) with competency in use of safety equipment is required. Squatting, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and lying at ground level are performed to work within confined spaces of power plants/generators, for extended intervals up to a full shift. Driving is required to perform work throughout the IPC territory, (3-7 hours). The above is a summary of the primary essential functions of the position. This job may require the performance of additional tasks assigned by company leaders or management. Questions regarding job requirements or accommodation requests should be directed to Human Resources.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

This position will require the support of both of Idaho Power's new RICE gas plants. The plants will be located in Mountain Home, Idaho (Bennett Mountain Power Plant) and Milner, Idaho (South Hills Power Plant). Daily travel to either plant will be required. Travel with out-of-town stays may be required.

#IPC1

Competencies:

Adaptability, Building Partnerships, Communication, Decision Making, Planning and Organizing, Work Standards

__________________________________

Idaho Power is an Equal Opportunity Employer

We're proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, veteran status, physical or mental disability, marital status, and any other status protected by applicable federal and state laws.

Please note: Idaho Power will not provide sponsorship for obtaining an employment visa, such as an H-1B visa.