Engineer (Staff, Senior or Principal) - Renewable Generation Development

Xcel Energy; Minnesota; On-site; USD 80,000 - 104,000; Full time

Job summary

Xcel Energy is seeking a Staff Engineer/Senior Engineer/Principal Engineer to support renewable generation development, focusing on early-stage development, site layout, and due diligence for utility-scale solar projects. The role involves technical leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and advanced engineering analyses to ensure sound, executable projects aligned with portfolio goals.

The position requires applying high-level engineering principles, with opportunities to mentor staff and

Qualifications

• ABET-accredited engineering degree.
• Broad knowledge across engineering disciplines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Applies extensive technical expertise and core competencies for engineering level.
• Conceives plans and conducts advanced research to develop procedures and standards.
• Leads assignments with strategic long-term implications for business objectives.
• May lead multiple critical projects including design, installation, start-up and evaluation.
• Advises management and customers on advanced technical studies and applications.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering (ABET-accredited)

Job description

Are you looking for an exciting job where you can put your skills and talents to work at a company you can feel proud to be a part of? Do you want a workplace that will challenge you and offer you opportunities to learn and grow? A position at Xcel Energy could be just what you're looking for.

This position is posted as a hierarchy at the Staff Engineer, Senior Engineer or Principal Engineer level. Successful candidate(s) will be hired at the level that is commensurate with their skills and experience.

This role supports the Renewable Generation Development organization with a focus on the early-stage development and technical evaluation of utility-scale solar projects. The engineer provides development-phase engineering leadership including concept development, site layout and design optimization, technical due diligence, bid and RFP evaluations, and review of energy and cost estimates. This position partners closely with development, commercial, environmental, and transmission teams to ensure solar projects are technically sound, executable, and aligned with portfolio objectives.

Viewed as the technical engineer or subject matter expert for the organization in the application of advanced theories, concepts, principles, and processes for an assigned area of responsibility (i.e. subject matter, function, type of facility, equipment or product). Contributes to the development of new principles and concepts. Problems must be approached through a series of complex and conceptually related studies, are difficult to define, require unconventional or innovative approaches, and require sophisticated research techniques. Responsible for major project or several complex projects of moderate to large scope. Serves as organization spokesperson on advanced projects and/or programs. Acts as advisor to management and customers on advanced technical research studies and applications. Maintains contacts with individuals and units within and outside the corporation for action on technical matters. Works under consultative direction toward broad general goals and objectives. Assignments are often self-initiated. Determine and pursue courses of action necessary to obtain desired results. Work checked through consultation and agreement with others rather than by formal review of superior. May provide work direction for a team of engineers, technicians and other professionals as necessary to complete assignments. This includes evaluation of work progress and results/feedback to supervisors on performance. May lead multiple critical and/or complex projects.

Essential Responsibilities

• Applies extensive technical expertise and has a higher-level understanding of the basic principles of other related disciplines. Fully demonstrates the unique technical skills and core competencies for this engineering level by applying advanced technical principles, theories and concepts, and contributes to the development of new principles, concepts and technical standards. Fully demonstrates unique technical skills.
• As a recognized internal technical SME, conceives plans and conducts research to develop procedures, codes and standards in problem areas of considerable scope and complexity and supports the development of technical documentation through a series of complex and conceptually related studies requiring unconventional or innovative approaches.
• Exercises authority and technical leadership on assignments that are often self-initiated and self-directed. Assignments are strategic and have significant long-term implications to achievement of overall business objectives.
• May lead multiple critical and/or complex projects including research, design, equipment specification & selection, installation, start-up, commissioning and evaluation of work progress and results.
• Acts as advisor to management and customers on advanced technical research studies and applications. Manages bid/evaluation processes which include the preparation of bid documents, completion of technical evaluations for proposals and the review and approval of recommendations for selection.
• Serves as organization spokesperson on advanced projects and/or programs. Is influential in all forms of communications with internal and external business.
• May provide oversight of engineers, interns, craft personnel, technicians and other professionals. Forms mentoring relationships with less experienced engineers for the transfer of knowledge and continuous self-development of technical skills and competencies. Demonstrates effective leadership skills.
• May provide overall coordination of processes related to budgeting, estimating, forecasting, accounting and work order management, in support of existing engineering projects or packaging proposals for future projects.

Staff Engineer Level (Salary Range: $79,800-$103,666)

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering from ABET accredited curriculum (or recognized equivalency).
• 2+year's relevant engineering experience.
• Demonstrated broad knowledge & proficiency in specialty area, knowledge of related specialties, & general knowledge of other related disciplines.
• Ability to demonstrate the unique technical skills & core competencies for this engineering level established & documented by the organization.
• EIT/FE (Engineer in Training/Fundamentals of Engineering) strongly preferred

Senior Engineer Level (Salary Range: $94,600-$126,134)

Minimum Requirements

• Required Bachelor's degree in Engineering from ABET accredited curriculum (or recognized equivalency)
• 5+ years relevant engineering experience with EIT/FE (Engineer in Training/Fundamentals of Engineering) required, or 7+ years relevant engineering experience without EIT/FE (Engineer in Training/Fundamentals of Engineering) required
• Ability to demonstrate the unique technical skills and core competencies for this engineering level established & documented by the organization.
• Preferred PE (Professional Engineer) registration may be required depending on business need.

Principal Engineer (Salary Range: $109,300-$152,766)

Minimum Requirements

• Required Bachelor's degree in Engineering from ABET accredited curriculum (or recognized equivalency)
• 9+ years relevant engineering experience with a PE (Professional Engineer) registration required, or 15+ years relevant engineering experience without a PE (Professional Engineer) required.
• Ability to demonstrate the unique technical skills and core competencies for this engineering level established &