Major Project Civil Engineer (Staff, Senior, or Principal)

Xcel Energy; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 81,000 - 106,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Incentive Program

Medical/Health Plan

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

PTO

Job summary

Xcel Energy in Denver seeks a Staff Engineer to contribute to design and construction of utility-scale renewable generation projects in Colorado. The role involves on-site collaboration with EPC contractors, equipment suppliers, and operations teams to achieve top-quartile facility performance.

The position emphasizes advanced engineering principles, multi-project coordination, and proactive problem-solving.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering from ABET accredited program.
• Civil engineering degree preferred for this staff engineer role.
• EIT/FE is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Apply technical standards and principles to complex design and execution tasks.
• Support development of technical documentation and procedures.
• Provide field engineering oversight during commissioning, testing, and inspections.
• Lead small to medium projects or portions of projects under supervision.
• Assist bid evaluation and technical proposal preparations in coordination with Supply Chain & Legal.
• Mentor less experienced engineers and guide interns/drafters.
• Handle budgeting, forecasting, and work-order management in project support.

Skills

Communication skills

Proactive problem-solving

Independent work

On-site collaboration

Education

ABET-accredited engineering degree (civil preferred)

EIT/FE strongly preferred

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 offers an exciting opportunity to join the Xcel Energy team in constructing new electric generation stations around Colorado. The role involves active participation in the design and construction phases of utility-scale renewable and dispatchable generation. It is an excellent chance to develop engineering and operational skills within a rapidly expanding generation portfolio. The successful candidate will work closely with the EPC contractor, equipment suppliers, Operations, construction team, and Company engineers to achieve top-quartile facility performance. Candidate should expect to be on-site at least three days a week until the end of site commissioning. Following this period, a hybrid work arrangement at the office will be anticipated. Strong communication skills, a proactive approach to problem-solving, and the ability to work independently with limited supervision are essential for success in this role.

The job summary below and responsibilities reflect the staff engineer level role. The successfully chosen candidate will be placed at a level that is commensurate with their skills and experience as different skills and/or experience will be required at the senior and princiapl engineer levels.

Position Summary

Under general direction, demonstrates complete understanding & wide application of engineering technical principle, theories, & concepts in the field. Independently determines & develops approaches to solutions. Receives technical guidance on complex problems; completed work reviewed for adequacy in meeting objectives. May lead small-medium non-critical projects or critical projects under direction of higher level engineer/supervisor. May provide work direction to other professionals &/or staff. Represents the organization in providing solutions to difficult technical issues associated with specific projects. Frequent inter-organizational & outside customer contact. Demonstrates a broad knowledge & proficiency of precedents in the specialty area, a good knowledge of related specialties, & general knowledge of other related disciplines.

Essential Responsibilities

• Uses & applies technical standards, principles, theories, concepts, & techniques to perform activities/assignments that may include a variety of complex features such as conflicting design requirements, unsuitability of conventional materials or methods & difficult coordination requirements.

• Supports the development of technical documentation (including but not limited to designs, testing, calculations, reports, standards, etc.) Utilizes & may assist with the development of procedures requiring a broad knowledge & proficiency in a specialty area & has a general knowledge of related disciplines.

• Works under the general direction of a higher level engineer or supervisor for routine engineering projects. Provide ongoing technical support for project activities within areas such as Operations, Maintenance, testing/diagnostics & Regulatory. May provide field engineering oversight &/or direction for activities such as commissioning, testing, inspections, etc.

• May lead small-medium, non-critical projects. Coordinate/leads critical projects or portions of projects (including phases such as research, design, equipment selection, procurement support, installation & commissioning), under the direction of a higher level engineer or supervisor. Work reviewed upon completion for adequacy in meeting objectives.

• Under the direction of a higher level engineer/supervisor supports bid/evaluation processes including preparation of bid documents, completion of technical evaluations for proposals; provide recommendations for selection, etc. Partners & communicates with areas such as Supply Chain & Legal following appropriate processes.

• Frequently exchanges information in all formats, on matters having a wide range of importance & complexity both inter-organizationally & with outside customers.

• May assign tasks & coordinate work of interns, drafters, technicians, craft personnel &/or others. Provide guidance & mentoring to less experienced engineers. Responsible for continuous self-development of technical skills & competencies.

• Performs activities such as budgeting, estimating, forecasting, accounting, work order management, in support of engineering projects.

Staff Engineer Level (Salary Range: $81,000 - $106,267)

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering from ABET accredited, civil engineering degree preferred.

• 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-$129,267)

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering from ABET accredited, civil engineering degree preferred.

• 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

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering from ABET accredited, civil engineering degree preferred.

• 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 Experience & Skills

• Experience in utility-scale projects, particularly in renewable such as wind, solar, or battery storage projects, with design experience in these areas being particularly valuable.

• Experience in utility-scale combustion turbine and/or reciprocating engines is an acceptable alternative to renewable facilities.

• Experience designing facilities such as sizing foundations and understanding geotechnical reporting, will be preferred.

• Experience overseeing construction and commissioning of utility equipment.

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: $81,000.00 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 Reimbursement Account, Health Care Reimbursement 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: 09/06/26

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ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT

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