Gas Distribution Designer - Senior or Principal

Xcel Energy; Eau Claire (WI); Hybrid; USD 54,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Pharmacy Plan

Dental

Vision

Pension

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Xcel Energy is seeking a Gas Senior/Principal Distribution Designer to lead complex gas distribution design projects, advising on best practices and coordinating with construction and regulatory teams. You will mentor designers and serve as a liaison to managers, ensuring designs meet standards and customer needs.

The role involves travel and on-call support during emergencies, with a hybrid work model and opportunities to grow within a Fortune 500 energy provider.

Qualifications

• Associates degree in drafting/design/automation/electronics/mechatronics/engineering or GIS; or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 5 years design experience; preferred 3 years as Xcel Energy Designer II.
• Strong knowledge of GIS, design software, and work management programs.
• Experience in transmission/substation/distribution design and construction standards.

Responsibilities

• Design safe, cost-effective distribution facilities per standards and guidelines.
• Manage projects from initial contact through post-project analysis and scheduling.
• Mentor Designers and provide backup leadership to the Designer Manager.
• Collaborate across teams to meet department and company goals.

Skills

GIS

Design software

Work management programs

Windows OS/MS Office

Communication skills

Education

Associate degree related to drafting/design/engineering/GIS

Job description

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) is a leading energy provider and Fortune 500 company, dedicated to serving millions of electricity and natural gas customers across eight states: Minnesota, Colorado, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, New Mexico and Texas. We make energy work better for our customers, helping them thrive every day. That means always raising the bar - delivering better service and providing more reliable, resilient, and sustainable energy.

Xcel Energy is a place where you’ll have opportunities to grow, expand your skills, and help lead the clean energy transition. We offer meaningful rewards, recognition, and support to help you build your career and make an impact - both on the job and beyond. Most importantly, it means you’ll be joining a company that knows employees are the driving force behind its success and is committed to helping you be your best.

Xcel Energy supports a hybrid work model to enable collaboration and flexibility. Many roles are expected to work onsite three days per week (Tuesday–Thursday); however, work location expectations vary based on role, team, and business needs.

Position Summary

Subject matter expert that provides new and existing commercial, industrial, residential, and internal customers with distribution design project management for all areas of design, including the most complex. The primary contact for future and existing customers by providing cost effective designs that balance customers' needs in accordance with Xcel Energy's standards and administrative guidelines. Provide work clarification, and direction when required, for construction personnel and act as the liaison between the construction department and customers. Assist with mentoring and training of Designers and provide backup leadership to the Design Manager. This position is expected to be a subject matter expert level in distribution design capability in gas. Travel and overnight stays may be required. May be expected to assist as needed after normal business hours during emergency situations.

Essential Responsibilities

• Design safe operating facilities for new and existing customers according to Xcel Energy construction standards and interpret administrative instructions for consistent and cost-effective designs. Provide distribution design project management for all areas of design, including the most complex. Responsible for the generation of additional company revenue through contacts with new business or existing customers.
• Manage projects from initial customer contact through post project analysis. Establish and manage the construction work plan in order to meet the customers' schedule and design requirements as well as financial and budgetary requirements.
• Assist with mentoring, training, and design review/approvals of Designers and provide backup leadership to the Designer Manager. Demonstrate ability to set direction, influence others and build teamwork across work groups and areas to achieve department and Company goals.
• Demonstrate ability to set direction, influence others and build teamwork across work groups and areas to achieve department and Company goals.
• Obtain permits and easements for facilities in accordance with city ordinances, state, federal, and county agencies. Execute contracts and agreements in compliance with administrative instructions and regulatory requirements.
• Represent the Company with government officials, contractors, city agencies, vendors, architects, and engineers to provide service to customers.
• THIS ROLE CAN BE HIRED AT ANY OF THE LEVELS BELOW**

Gas Senior Distribution Designer - ($39.00 to $54.53)

Minimum Requiements

• Associates degree in one of the following fields of study: drafting, design, automation, electronics, mechatronics, engineering, GIS, other related field of study and 5 years direct Designer level experience. In lieu of an Assoc. Degree: a combination of education and experience in design/drafting, construction, project management, or electronics providing equivalent experience and knowledge.
• Minimum of 5 years design experience or equivalent experience - preferably 3 years as an Xcel Energy Designer II.
• Mastery of one or more of the following: GIS, design software, work management programs, required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Transmission line design, Substation design, or Distribution design.
• Demonstrated knowledge of construction standards, materials, and technical codes.
• Mastery of Windows operating system and Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Excel, Word, Access, etc.).
• Highly effective communication and innovative problem-solving skills - self-starter, able to work with minimal supervision.
• Driver's License may be required.

Gas Principal Distribution Designer - ($44.40 to $62.13)

Minimum Requirements

• Associate's degree in one of the following fields of study: drafting, design, automation, electronics, mechatronics, engineering, GIS, other related field of study or a combination of education and experience providing equivalent knowledge. In lieu of an Assoc. Degree, a combination of education and experience in design/drafting, construction, project management, or electronics providing equivalent experience and knowledge.
• Must have at least 9 years of design experience or equivalent experience. Preferably 3 years as an Xcel Energy Sr. Designer.
• Subject matter expert in one or more of the following: GIS, design software, or work management programs.
• Subject matter expert of Transmission line design, Substation design, or Distribution design.
• Expert knowledge of construction standards, design standards, materials, and technical codes.
• Expert in Windows operating system and Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Excel, Word, Access, etc.).
• Highly effective communication and innovative problem-solving skills, self-starter, able to work with minimal supervision.
• Driver's License may be required.

Our culture is grounded in shared values and employee commitments that guide how we work, support one another, and grow together.

Our Values

Connected, Committed, Trustworthy, Safe

Our Employee Commitments

• Work that makes a difference
• A team you can count of
• Opportunities to grow
• Rewards that help you thrive

Xcel Energy provides job applicants reasonable accommodations for disabilities throughout the application process. If you are in need of an accommodation to complete the application process, now or at any time in the future, please complete the Applicant Accommodation Request Form.

Non-Bargaining

The anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $39.00 to $62.13 per hour

Benefits

• Spot On Bonus
• Medical/Pharmacy Plan
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Health Care Flexible Spending Account
• Health Savings Account (HSA) (if enrolled in eligible health plan)
• Limited-Purpose FSA (if enrolled in eligible health plan and HSA)
• Transportation Reimbursement Account
• Short-term disability (STD)
• Long-term disability (LTD)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Fitness Center Reimbursement (if enrolled in eligible health plan)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Transit programs
• Employee recognition program
• Pension
• 401(k) plan
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Holidays
• Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO)
• Parental Leave

Benefit plans are subject to change and Xcel Energy has the right to end, suspend, or amend any of its plans, at any time, in whole or in part.

In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information including but not limited to dates of school attendance and graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Deadline to Apply: 10/27/26

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Accessibility Statement

Xcel Energy endeavors to make https://www.xcelenergy.com and https://jobs.xcelenergy.com accessible to any and all users. If you are in need of an accommodation to complete the application process, now or at any time in the future, please complete the Applicant Accommodation Request Form. For any other application related questions, including application follow-ups or technical issues, please use our Recruiting Assistance, Electra, for assistance. Electra can be found in the lower right-hand corner of our Xcel Energy Careers site.