Engineer I, Engineer II, Engineer III Grid Operations

Isupark; Ames (IA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Alliant Energy in Ames, IA is seeking engineers at levels I-III to join our Grid Operations team. This role offers progression from foundational to advanced responsibilities in safety, system operations, and reliability. A ABET-accredited engineering degree and related experience are required.

Opportunities span multiple locations with a developmental progression path. Positions may be filled at Engineer I, II, or III Grid Operations based on experience.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated effective interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to use computer software programs (e.g., e-mail, word processing, spreadsheet, and project management).
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative and inclusive work environment.

Responsibilities

• Foundational: Follows safety rules, identifies basic risks, and supports safe design practices.
• Intermediate: Identifies and mitigates risks, applies safety standards, and improves safe operations.
• Advanced: Leads safety practices, addresses complex risks, and recommends standard improvements.
• Foundational: Applies engineering standards and solves routine problems with guidance.
• Intermediate: Applies standards independently and recommends process improvements.
• Advanced: Shapes standards, leads technical direction, and drives continuous improvement.
• Foundational: Learns planning, cost estimates, and capital vs. O&M fundamentals.
• Intermediate: Supports budgeting and develops moderately complex scopes with cost and sequencing.
• Advanced: Leads planning efforts, manages complex scopes, and guides investment decisions.
• Foundational: Develops system knowledge and makes low-risk decisions with guidance.
• Intermediate: Applies system knowledge and makes low- to medium-risk decisions independently.
• Advanced: Demonstrates advanced system expertise and makes informed technical decisions.
• Foundational: Supports system studies, relay design, and SCADA work with guidance.
• Intermediate: Performs system studies, relay coordination, and SCADA programming.
• Advanced: Leads complex studies, protection design, and technical analysis decisions.
• Foundational: Supports outage response and basic troubleshooting with guidance.
• Intermediate: Performs root cause analysis and supports corrective actions.
• Advanced: Leads root cause analysis and drives reliability improvements.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Verbal and written communication

Software proficiency

Collaboration and inclusivity

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering (ABET-accredited)

Tools

SCADA systems

Job description

Employer

Alliant Energy

Posted On

Monday, July 13, 2026

Location

Ames, IA | Multiple Locations

Job Description

From early-career engineers to seasoned grid operations leaders, we’re building our Grid Operations team—join us at the level that fits your experience and help design the grid of tomorrow.

***This position can be hired as either an Engineer I Grid Operations, Engineer II Grid Operations or an Engineer III Grid Operations depending on experience***

What You Will Do (Developmental Progression)

Foundational: Follows safety rules, identifies basic risks, and supports safe design practices.

Intermediate: Identifies and mitigates risks, applies safety standards, and improves safe operations.

Advanced: Leads safety practices, addresses complex risks, and recommends standard improvements.

Customer Focus & Problem Solving

Foundational: Learns customer needs and supports basic issue identification and solutions.

Intermediate: Identifies and resolves moderately complex problems aligned to customer needs.

Advanced: Anticipates needs and leads resolution of complex system and operational issues.

Communication & Stakeholder Engagement

Foundational: Builds relationships and develops technical communication skills.

Intermediate: Communicates technical concepts clearly and prepares detailed documentation.

Advanced: Leads discussions, influences decisions, and drives cross-functional alignment.

Technical Application & Standards

Foundational: Applies engineering standards and solves routine problems with guidance.

Intermediate: Applies standards independently and recommends process improvements.

Advanced: Shapes standards, leads technical direction, and drives continuous improvement.

Foundational: Learns planning, cost estimates, and capital vs. O&M fundamentals.

Intermediate: Supports budgeting and develops moderately complex scopes with cost and sequencing.

Advanced: Leads planning efforts, manages complex scopes, and guides investment decisions.

System Operations & Decision Making

Foundational: Develops system knowledge and makes low-risk decisions with guidance.

Intermediate: Applies system knowledge and makes low- to medium-risk decisions independently.

Advanced: Demonstrates advanced system expertise and makes informed technical decisions.

System Analysis & Protection Engineering

Foundational: Supports system studies, relay design, and SCADA work with guidance.

Intermediate: Performs system studies, relay coordination, and SCADA programming.

Advanced: Leads complex studies, protection design, and technical analysis decisions.

Reliability & Troubleshooting

Foundational: Supports outage response and basic troubleshooting with guidance.

Intermediate: Performs root cause analysis and supports corrective actions.

Advanced: Leads root cause analysis and drives reliability improvements.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's Degree Engineering program that is accredited through the Engineering Accreditation Commission Required

Required Experience

Engineer III Grid Operations:

Bachelor's Degree Engineering program that is accredited through the Engineering Accreditation Commission Required

5 years of related experience

Engineer II Grid Operations:

Bachelor's Degree Engineering program that is accredited through the Engineering Accreditation Commission Required

2 years of related experience

Engineer I Grid Operations:

Bachelor's Degree Engineering program that is accredited through the Engineering Accreditation Commission Required

Preferred Experience

Project management experience, along with ability to deal with subcontractors and cross-functional teams; may have expertise in a particular area of the discipline.

Previous technical and/or professional experience

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Demonstrated effective interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.

Demonstrated ability to use computer software programs (e.g., e-mail, word processing, spreadsheet, and project management).

Ability to work effectively in a collaborative and inclusive work environment.