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Idaho Power — located in vibrant Boise, Idaho — is looking for Electrical Engineering Interns to join our summer 2026 internship program. 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 safely provide our customers with the safe, reliable, affordable energy they depend on. 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.
What does an Electrical Engineering Intern do for us?
Operating under supervision and with significant oversight, an Engineering Intern works within an assigned group to assist engineering staff while gaining valuable skills and experience. They may interface with internal departments and external organizations, receiving regular guidance from leaders and other engineers.
We are looking for an Electrical Engineering intern to support validation and enhancement of total transfer capability (TTC) studies across commercial transmission Paths using power flow software, PowerWorld. The intern will work closely with System Planning Engineers to review and improve existing study methodologies, validate the use of PowerWorld’s ATC add-on for performing these studies, and explore opportunities to increase transfer capacity on existing infrastructure. The intern will also utilize ambiently adjusted ratings (AARs) for transmission facilities to develop TTC formulas for various outage scenarios.
With fast paced load growth and a constrained electrical distribution grid, load transfers are an integral part of our plan for reliable service for our customers. While load transfers allow flexibility for new customer growth, maintenance work and outage restoration, they also create abnormalities in the historical data that make it difficult to accurately forecast load growth. Identifying load transfers is currently a time consuming and inefficient task. The intern will use engineering methodology to evaluate the data sources and develop alternatives to increase the efficiency of identifying and tracking load transfers. The intern will work with the Distribution Planning team to select a preferred solution and then demonstrate the benefits of the solution with a proof-of-concept project. Some of the data sources include historical feeder data from the PI Data Historian and switching data from the distribution Outage Management System (OMS). Alternatives may include machine learning and AI.
This exciting internship will be split into 2 main projects. The first project will focus on calculating arc flash incident energy ratings for the IPC primary distribution system. Verify equipment and protective device settings using Synergi Electric feeder models and calculate an updated dataset of arc flash ratings. Two arc flash ratings will be calculated including the steady state “normal” condition and under Hot-Line-Hold state for relays and reclosers. The engineering intern will gain knowledge and experience with Idaho Power’s distribution protection system and work with the GIS department to upload the incident energy ratings to map viewers to make them available to field personnel. Field crews use this data daily to determine personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements while working on energized power lines. The second project will focus on creating and updating customer load profiles for large commercial and industrial customers, and rate-based load profiles for rate residential, irrigation customers and customers with renewable generation. These profiles are an important input to the Synergi feeder model and used for all distribution engineering analysis by our distribution engineers including time-of-day load-flow analysis. Some of the load profiles need to be built for the first time and most of them need to be updated as they are several years old.
Idaho Power’s substation engineering team improves the company’s core business by developing construction documentation for infrastructure upgrades. IPC substation engineering and design teams are experiencing a large influx in projects for infrastructure upgrades associated with load growth, renewable generation interconnection, system maintenance, reliability, and compliance. The primary focus of the Stations Control Engineering Intern will be scoping, engineering, and design support for a large customer transformer upgrade project. This project will enable the intern to interact with key Idaho Power stakeholders. The intern will be provided with direct mentorship regarding substation design criteria for developing efficient, safe, and economical solutions. The intern will be exposed to control design elements such as single line development, schematic development, panel layout/wiring development, control building layouts, conduit fill calculations, voltage drop calculations, battery calculations, constructability concerns, as well as various stakeholder groups across the company. Throughout scoping and design, the intern is encouraged to identify and implement design and standard process improvements including materials specification, procurement, collaboration with other station engineering groups (structural, system protection, communication, and apparatus), and improve their overall understanding of substation design.
The Stations Communication Team follow various processes that are currently being passed verbally from experienced engineers to new engineers. The team needs detailed documentation of these processes that can be shared with new engineers and the rest of the company. Idaho Power is seeking an engineering intern to support the development of a process flow diagram and detailed description for the Station Communication capital project process. This project plays a critical role in ensuring reliable communication solutions are implemented across our power system. The intern will collaborate closely with multiple departments to understand how each group contributes to delivering robust communication infrastructure. Key learning areas include fiber optic networks, routing protocols (MPLS, ISIS, BGP), microwave path design, and various wireless technologies such as cellular, satellite, two-way radio, and power line carrier (PLC). Your work will help improve Idaho Power’s scope, design, and construction processes by creating a clear, visual representation of the steps involved in delivering the best communication solutions for a modern utility. This is an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience in network design, cross-functional collaboration, and utility-scale communication systems while contributing to projects that power communities across Idaho.
- General knowledge of engineering principles
- Developing specific knowledge related to discipline, utilities and their business environment.
- Interdisciplinary skills
- Effective oral and written communication
- Use of computers and software
- Manage and coordinate projects
- 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 datasets and databases
- Draft written and oral reports of problems, alternatives and recommendations
- Currently enrolled in an ABET accredited program majoring in engineering at a junior, non-graduating senior status, or in an advanced engineering degree program
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
This position is a sedentary job requiring 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. There may be occasional lifts of no more than 10 lbs. Ergonomic accommodations including sit to stand desks are available and installed as needed. 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 INFORMATION
Occasional overnight travel may be required. Some roles require field visits and outdoor work. Candidates for these roles must be able to hike and walk over uneven terrain possibly in inclement weather.
This is a Seasonal position. Company paid housing will be available to students on an as needed basis. Seasonal employees are only eligible to apply for internal job postings if the posting is in their current department.
Adaptability, Collaborating, Communication, Decision Making, Managing Work, Work Standards
Please contact our Recruiting Office if you have questions, require assistance or accommodation while applying for employment with Idaho Power Company: Phone: 208-388-2965 or Email:
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.