Plant Engineer - Mechanical Focus (Senior/Staff/Entry)

Xcel Energy Inc; Sioux Falls, Northern (SD, KY); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 129,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Incentive Program

Medical/Pharmacy Plan

Dental

Vision

401(k) Plan

Job summary

Xcel Energy Inc. in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is seeking engineers at the entry level to support its Energy Supply Power Generation team.

The site requires on‑site presence with occasional remote work flexible to needs, and travel to various power plants in the region. The role emphasizes technical support for equipment repairs, troubleshooting, asset improvement projects, budgeting, and collaboration with Operations, Maintenance, Environmental and Projects teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering from ABET-accredited curriculum.
• Mechanical, Chemical, Aerospace or Civil engineering background; Mechanical preferred.
• EIT/FE preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Apply technical standards and concepts to assignments of limited scope.
• Support development of technical documentation and procedures.
• Provide technical support for projects across Operations, Maintenance, Testing and Regulatory.
• Coordinate projects or portions of projects under supervision.
• Assist with bid/evaluation processes and basic analyses.
• Communicate effectively across internal teams and external vendors.
• Mentor interns, drafters and technicians as needed.
• Assist with budgeting, forecasting and work order management.

Skills

Project management

Technical documentation

Budgeting

Communication

Education

ABET-accredited engineering degree

Mechanical Engineering 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? Aposition at Xcel Energy could be just what you’re looking for.

The below job summary and responsibilities reflect the entry 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 staff, and senior engineer levels.

Position Summary

Xcel Energy has an exciting opportunity within its Energy Supply Power Generation team. Candidate will work with engineering staff to support the reliable and efficient operation of Xcel Energy’s generation assets.

As the site Plant Engineer with primary focus on mechanical systems, duties would include technical support for equipment repairs, involvement in troubleshooting for operational issues, project management tasks for asset improvement and budgetary planning for the site. The candidate must demonstrate the unique technical skills and critical thinking required to support a complex operating environment. Candidate will work closely with departments within Xcel Energy such as Operations, Maintenance, Environmental and Projects to maintain safe and reliable operation of our Power Plants.

This position is located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The candidate must have the ability to travel to various Power Plants as needed throughout the region.

This position includes regular onsite support at the Angus Anson Power Plant and support of the new Lyon County Generating Plant project. You will be expected to work onsite daily, ensuring close collaboration with operations and maintenance teams. There are options to work remotely as needed for flexibility, but remote work will not be normally scheduled.

Essential Responsibilities

• Uses and applies technical standards, principles, theories, concepts, and techniques to perform activities/assignments of limited scope.

• Supports the development of technical documentation (including but not limited to designs, testing, calculations, reports, standards, etc.) Utilizes and may assist with the development of procedures.

• Provides ongoing technical support for project activities within areas such as Operations, Maintenance, Testing/diagnostics, Regulatory, etc. May provide field engineering oversight for activities such as commissioning, testing, inspections etc. under direct supervision.

• Coordinates/leads projects or portions of projects (including phases such as research, design, equipment selection, procurement support, installation and commissioning), under the direction of a higher level engineer or supervisor.

• Under the direction of a higher level engineer/supervisor, supports bid/evaluation processes by performing basic analysis and calculations on existing documentation and materials that support the preparation of bid documents. In completing segments of technical evaluations for proposals may need to effectively communicate with other business areas of the company following appropriate processes.

• Effectively exchanges information in all formats, on matters having a wide range of importance and complexity both inter-organizationally and with outside customer/vendors.

• May coordinate the work of interns, drafters, technicians, and/or others and provides guidance and mentoring to less experienced engineers. Responsible for continuous self development of technical skills and competencies.

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

Entry Engineer Level (Salary Range: $70,000-88,667)

Minimum Requirements

• Required bachelor's degree in engineering from ABET accredited curriculum. Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Aerospace or Civil Engineering. Mechanical Engineering preferred.

• 0+ years relevant engineering experience Ability to demonstrate the unique technical skills and core competencies for this engineering level established & documented by the organization.

• Preferred EIT/FE (Engineer in Training/Fundamentals of Engineering) preferred.

Staff Engineer Level (Salary Range: $81,800-$106,267)

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering from ABET accredited. Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Aerospace or Civil Engineering. Mechanical Engineering 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

• Required bachelor’s degree in engineering from ABET accredited curriculum. Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Aerospace or Civil Engineering. Mechanical Engineering 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.

Preferred

• Experience in power generation or heavy industrial environments.
• Experience with Power Generation equipment (turbines, generators, governors, pumps, valves, instrumentation)
• Familiarity with predictive maintenance technologies

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-BargainingThe anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $70,000.00 to $129,266.66 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: 09/10/26 EEO is the Law | EEO is the Law Supplement | Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination | Equal Opportunity Policy (PDF) | 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.