Integrated Planning Intern - MN

Xcel Energy; Saint Paul (MN); Hybrid; USD 26,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

401(k) plan

Paid time off (PTO)

Holidays

Job summary

Xcel Energy invites ambitious students to join its Gas and Electric Distribution Planning internship, starting May 24, 2027. You'll gain exposure to electric and natural gas planning, work with planners, engineers, and data analysts, and contribute to projects shaping infrastructure investments and clean energy strategies.

You will work up to 40 hours in summer or 20 hours during the school year, with hybrid in-person requirements at the designated location in Minnesota.

Qualifications

• Current student, Sophomore or higher
• Enrolled in an accredited college or university and pursuing a degree in Electrical/Mechanical/Civil/Environmental Engineering, Computer Science, Economics, Public Policy, Energy Systems, Data Analytics, Finance, related technical or analytical field
• Able to work full-time during the summer (up to 40 hours a week)/ part time during the school year (up to 20 hours a week) and commuting to the designated work location in-person, per our hybrid work policy.

Responsibilities

• Support a variety of analytical, strategic, and technical projects related to distribution system planning and utility resource planning.
• Work alongside experienced planners, engineers, and data analysts to evaluate future energy needs, assess emerging technologies, develop planning assumptions, and support regulatory filings and strategic initiatives.
• Gain hands-on experience working with utility data, forecasting methodologies, energy system planning concepts, and decarbonization strategies
• Analysis of distributed energy resources, electrification trends, natural gas innovation opportunities, load growth, infrastructure investment planning, and customer-focused solutions.
• This internship is ideal for students interested in energy systems, engineering, sustainability, economics, analytics, public policy, or utility

Skills

Analytical mindset

Team collaboration

Communication skills

Education

Electrical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Civil Engineering

Environmental Engineering

Computer Science

Economics

Public Policy

Energy Systems

Data Analytics

Finance

Tools

Power BI

Tableau

Python

R

SQL

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.

At Xcel Energy, our employees are the driving force behind our success. So we make sure that, here, you can be your best. Doing work that makes a difference for neighbors and communities. Working with a team you can count on to push you. Expanding skills, staying ready for change, and capturing opportunities to grow. All with the support, rewards and recognition you need to thrive – during your internship and beyond.

The Gas and Electric Distribution Planning team is responsible for developing forward-looking strategies that ensure safe, reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy delivery to customers. The team works at the intersection of electric distribution planning, natural gas planning, regulatory strategy, distributed energy resources, decarbonization, system forecasting, and utility innovation.

This internship offers a unique opportunity to gain exposure to both electric and natural gas utility planning while contributing to projects that directly influence infrastructure investments, customer programs, and clean energy strategies.

Typical intern responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

• Support a variety of analytical, strategic, and technical projects related to distribution system planning and utility resource planning.

• Work alongside experienced planners, engineers, and data analysts to evaluate future energy needs, assess emerging technologies, develop planning assumptions, and support regulatory filings and strategic initiatives.

• Gain hands-on experience working with utility data, forecasting methodologies, energy system planning concepts, and decarbonization strategies

• Analysis of distributed energy resources, electrification trends, natural gas innovation opportunities, load growth, infrastructure investment planning, and customer-focused solutions.

• This internship is ideal for students interested in energy systems, engineering, sustainability, economics, analytics, public policy, or utility

This position is for a May 24, 2027 start date. This position may have the possibility to extend beyond the internship’s initial term based on the candidate’s successful performance and Xcel Energy’s business needs.

Minimum Requirements:

• Current student, Sophomore or higher

• Enrolled in an accredited college or university and pursuing a degree in Electrical/Mechanical/Civil/Environmental Engineering, Computer Science, Economics, Public Policy, Energy Systems, Data Analytics, Finance, related technical or analytical field

• Able to work full-time during the summer (up to 40 hours a week)/ part time during the school year (up to 20 hours a week) and commuting to the designated work location in-person, per our hybrid work policy.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Interest in energy systems, utility planning, sustainability, or infrastructure planning.

• Coursework in: Power systems, Energy economics, Utility regulation, Forecasting, Statistics, Data science, Geographic Information Systems (GIS),

• Experience with data analysis tools such as: Power BI; Tableau; Python; R; SQL

• Familiarity with electric utility, natural gas utility, or energy industry concepts.

• Curiosity and interest in solving complex energy challenges related to reliability, affordability, and decarbonization.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.

• Ability to work effectively in a team environment.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

As a leading combination electricity and natural gas energy company, Xcel Energy offers a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related products and services to 3.4 million electricity and 1.9 million natural gas customers across eight Western and Midwestern states. At Xcel Energy, we strive to be the preferred and trusted provider of the energy our customers need. If you’re ready to be a part of something big, we invite you to join our team.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Individuals with a disability who need an accommodation to apply please contact us at [e-mail] .

Non-Bargaining

The anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $18.90 to $22.10 per hour

This position is eligible for the following benefits: Pension, 401(k) plan, Paid time off (PTO), Holidays

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: 10/15/26

EEO is the Law (https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ofccp/posters) | EEO is the Law Supplement (https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ofccp/posters) | Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination (https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ofccp/posters) | Equal Opportunity Policy (PDF) (https://www.xcelenergy.com/staticfiles/xe/Corporate/Corporate%20PDFs/Equal_Opportunity_Policy.pdf) | Employee Rights (PDF) (https://www.xcelenergy.com/staticfiles/xe-responsive/assets/images/Content/Careers/Xcel-Energy-Careers-Employee-Rights.pdf)

All Xcel Energy employees and contractors share responsibility for protecting the company's information and systems by adhering to cybersecurity policies, standards, and best practices, recognizing that cybersecurity is everyone's responsibility.

ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT

Xcel Energy endeavors to make https://www.xcelenergy.com/ accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Xcel Energy Talent Acquisition at [e-mail]. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.