Quality Assurance Lead

Closes:

February 19, 2026

Job Description

The Quality Assurance (QA) Lead is responsible for ensuring the quality, reliability, and compliance of software applications that support utility operations. This role is critical to maintaining the integrity of systems that enable energy delivery, customer service, and regulatory compliance. The QA Lead is responsible for ensuring the quality and functionality of software applications and systems through rigorous testing and validation. This role involves working closely with developers, engineers, Site Reliability Engineers (SRE), project managers, Vendor quality assurance personnel and internal UAT testers and stakeholders to identify issues, recommend solutions, and ensure that products meet business and technical requirements

. Initial focus of this position will be as the Avista Test Lead for the ERP project. Responsibilities

- Develop and manage a comprehensive quality management program for enterprise technology systems at Avista.

- Define and monitor quality standards, KPIs, and metrics aligned with utility operations, cybersecurity, and regulatory requirements.

- Provide quality oversight for major technology initiatives, such as ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) and ETRM (Energy Trading and Risk Management) implementations.

- Ensure vendor deliverables meet internal quality standards and regulatory requirements.

- Coordinate system integration testing, user acceptance testing (UAT), and go-live readiness assessments.

- Collaborate with Agile/Scrum teams to integrate quality assurance into sprint planning, development, and release cycles.

- Promote test automation, Continuous Integration / Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) pipelines, and secure development practices to ensure high-quality software delivery.

- Advocate for shift-left testing by incorporating test planning and automation early in the development lifecycle.

- Ensure quality and consistency in the deployment of infrastructure components including servers, networks, storage, and cloud environments.

- Oversee and coordinate deployments into production and non-production environments (e.g., development, test, staging).

- Ensure deployment governance processes including change control, release validation, rollback planning, and post-deployment reviews.

- Ensure deployment quality for both infrastructure and software components, including in-house applications and vendor-delivered solutions.

- Partner with infrastructure, security, application, and business stakeholders to embed quality and deployment best practices into project lifecycles.

- Identify and mitigate risks related to infrastructure reliability, software quality, and deployment failures.

- Promote the adoption and use of best practices, tools, and methodologies (e.g., Agile, Scrum, DevOps).

- Develop training and awareness programs to build quality and deployment discipline across teams.

- Champion a culture of continuous improvement, quality ownership, and operational excellence.

Requirements

- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college or university in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering or related field

- + 8 years of related experience

- Demonstrated experience with quality assurance oversight of large implementations

- Demonstrated analysis skills and advanced knowledge of statistical analysis and modeling with the ability to interpret complex data and draw conclusions

- Ability to effectively collaborate and communicate across departments

- Expert knowledge of system testing best practices and methodologies

- Advanced knowledge of Scrum development and tools

- Ability to successfully develop and manage relationships at all levels of the organization and influence a variety of stakeholders

- Independent decision-making skills

- Advanced level of technical expertise, initiative, ownership, accountability, and leadership, which can be demonstrated through directing the work of others, leading projects and/or processes, being the official or unofficial team lead

Other Combinations Of Education And Experience May Be Considered.

Hiring Range: $109,815 to $144,406

Hybrid work options are available for this role. The successful candidate will be required to work at a Spokane, Washington office at least 3 days per week including Mondays and Tuesdays with additional day(s) determined by the employee and manager. To Apply

We encourage you to apply as many of our positions have multiple levels to account for an incoming employee’s various 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".

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)

To learn more, please visit our benefits website at https://avistabenefits.com/.

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 $109,815 to $178,999. Questions regarding compliance with this requirement can be directed to humanresources@avistacorp.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 humanresources@avistacorp.com if you would like assistance.