Power Plant Engineer, Controls System Focus (Senior, Staff, or Entry level)

Xcel Energy Services Inc; Burnsville (MN); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Xcel Energy in Burnsville, MN is seeking a Plant Engineer focused on control systems to support reliable operation of generation assets. You will troubleshoot, provide engineering support for repairs, and manage capital projects across multiple plants with travel as needed.

The role offers a hybrid work model with on-site collaboration three days a week and coordination with Operations, Maintenance, and Projects teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide initial troubleshooting and problem solving to investigate, document and resolve operational issues and implement solutions.
• Provide engineering technical support for equipment repairs and coordinate offsite engineering services when required for complex problems.
• Quantify equipment risk and develop corrective action plans to mitigate risk
• Analyze equipment failure rates, failure causes and risk trends to prioritize maintenance and future investments
• Identify project improvement opportunities to reduce failures and improve reliability.
• Provide engineering support for capital projects, upgrades, and refurbishment of powerhouse equipment.
• Support Overhauls & Outages through planning, execution and close out stages
• Provide support for plant crews, including reviewing technical material specifications and ordering materials for plant projects
• Create capital and operational and maintenance (O&M) projects to ensure long term reliable operation of various plant systems.
• Support Break-in plant work screening and prioritization by participating in daily plant plan of the day tailgates and weekly planning meetings.

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.

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 control 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 Burnsville, MN. The candidate must have the ability to travel to various Power Plants as needed throughout the region.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide initial troubleshooting and problem solving to investigate, document and resolve operational issues and implement solutions.
• Provide engineering technical support for equipment repairs and coordinate offsite engineering services when required for complex problems.
• Quantify equipment risk and develop corrective action plans to mitigate risk
• Analyze equipment failure rates, failure causes and risk trends to prioritize maintenance and future investments
• Identify project improvement opportunities to reduce failures and improve reliability.
• Provide engineering support for capital projects, upgrades, and refurbishment of powerhouse equipment.
• Support Overhauls & Outages through planning, execution and close out stages
• Provide support for plant crews, including reviewing technical material specifications and ordering materials for plant projects
• Create capital and operational and maintenance (O&M) projects to ensure long term reliable operation of various plant systems.
• Support Break-in plant work screening and prioritization by participating in daily plant plan of the day tailgates and weekly planning meetings.

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 entry , senior and principal 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 & h