Gas Strategic Planning Engineer (Staff, Senior, or Principal) - Denver, CO

Xcel Energy Services Inc; United States; Hybrid; USD 82,000 - 157,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Incentive Program

Medical/Pharmacy Plan

Dental

Job summary

Xcel Energy is seeking a Staff/Senior/Principal Engineer-level candidate to lead long-term strategic planning for the natural gas distribution system. You will evaluate future scenarios, identify innovative solutions, and align investments with regulatory requirements and customer needs.

The role requires strong engineering expertise, ability to translate analyses into actionable recommendations, and collaboration across multiple teams to drive decarbonization initiatives and infrastructure

Qualifications

• ABET accredited engineering degree required.
• EIT/FE strongly preferred.
• PE licensure may be required depending on business need.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of long-term strategic plans for natural gas distribution.
• Evaluate future planning scenarios and align investments with regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate projects across Operations, Maintenance, and Regulatory teams.

Skills

Project leadership

Budgeting/Forecasting

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

ABET accredited degree

EIT/FE

PE licensure (preferred)

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

In this role, you will lead the development of long-term strategic plans for the natural gas distribution system by evaluating future planning scenarios, identifying innovative solutions, and aligning investments with regulatory requirements, company strategy, and customer needs. You will collaborate across the organization to assess both traditional infrastructure and emerging solutions, including non-pipeline alternatives, demand‑side resources, beneficial electrification, renewable natural gas, and other decarbonization opportunities. The ideal candidate will bring strong utility planning experience, strategic thinking, and the ability to translate complex analyses into actionable recommendations.

Essential Responsibilities

Applies extensive technical expertise and has an understanding of the basic principles of other related disciplines. Fully demonstrates the unique technical skills and core competencies for this engineering level by applying technical standards, principles, theories, concepts, and techniques to lead projects of moderate to large size, scope and complexity. Largely self‑directed work is expected to result in the development of new or improved techniques, procedures and standards. Supports the development of technical documentation (including but not limited to designs, testing, calculations, reports, standards, etc.) Without appreciable direction exercises considerable latitude in determining ongoing technical support for project activities within areas such as Operations, Maintenance, Testing/diagnostics and Regulatory. Provides field engineering oversight and direction for activities such as support, testing, installation, inspections, commissioning etc. Coordinates/leads multiple projects or portions of projects (including phases such as research, design, equipment selection, procurement, installation and commissioning). May lead more critical projects with oversight of a higher‑level engineer or supervisor. Represents the organization as the prime technical contact in the bid/evaluation processes including preparation of bid documents, completion of technical evaluations for proposals and providing recommendations for selection. Interacts with senior external personnel on significant technical matters often requiring coordination with internal and external organizations. Effectively and with precision resolves difficult technical/business matters both inter‑organizationally and with outside customer/vendors with all formats of communication. May assign tasks to and/or direct engineers, technicians, craft personnel and other support staff including coordination and review of work assignments. Provides guidance and mentoring to less experienced engineers. Responsible for continuous self‑development of technical skills and competencies. Leads activities such as budgeting, estimating, forecasting, accounting, work order management, in support of engineering projects.

Staff Engineer Level (Salary Range: $81,800-$106,266)

Minimum Requirements

Required 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: $97,000-$129,266)

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; 7+ years relevant engineering experience without EIT/FE. 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: $112,000-$156,600)

Minimum Requirements

Required Bachelor’s degree in engineering from ABET accredited curriculum (or recognized equivalency). 9+ years relevant engineering experience with PE (Professional Engineer) registration required; 15+ years relevant engineering experience without PE. Ability to demonstrate the unique technical skills and core competencies for this engineering level established & documented by the organization. Preferred Synergi Gas Hydraulic Modeling Experience

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.

Non-Bargaining The anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $81,800.00 to $156,600.00 per year

This position is eligible for the following benefits:

• Annual Incentive Program
• 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: 11/19/26

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You. Us. Together.

At Xcel Energy, we’re more than an energy company. We’re reinventing how we power communities. Redefining how we care for customers. Reaffirming our commitment to the planet. We’re committed to leading with equity and inclusion. You’re not waiting for change – you’re creating it. You’re driven to protect the environment, support your community, and seek innovation. You want a career that grows with you and an employer who values you. You are reliable, trustworthy and bring integrity to everything you do. We are leading the way in clean energy. We’re using technology and innovation in every facet of our company. We’re providing safe, stable jobs with robust benefits. We keep our customers at the center of all we do. We’re committed to hiring a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can provide carbon‑free electricity by 2050. Together, we can take care of the environment and our communities. Together, we can create a place where everyone belongs. Together we’re building a better tomorrow.