Project Engineer - Electrical / Controls (NSP Hydro Projects)

Xcel Energy; Minnesota; Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 157,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Incentive Program

Medical/Pharmacy Plan

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance

Pension

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Xcel Energy is seeking a Staff Engineer level candidate to develop and apply technical expertise in industrial automation, controls, and power system applications. You will work on PLC platforms, HMI/SCADA, and protective relays, supporting design, testing, and commissioning across plants and networks.

The role involves leading small-to-medium projects, mentoring staff, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure safe, reliable, and compliant operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering from ABET-accredited curriculum (Electrical preferred).
• 0+ years engineering experience; EIT/FE strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with PLC platforms and block programming is desired.

Responsibilities

• Develop and apply technical expertise in industrial automation and control systems.
• Support design, testing, troubleshooting, and commissioning of PLC-based systems.
• Lead small-medium projects under supervision and provide guidance to junior staff.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams for bid/evaluation processes and procurement support.
• Maintain documentation, budgets, and project forecasts for engineering activities.

Skills

PLC programming

Rockwell/Allen-Bradley

Schneider Modicon

HMI/SCADA

Industrial networking

SEL protective relays

Education

ABET-accredited engineering degree

Electrical engineering degree preferred

Tools

GE Cimplicity

HMI/SCADA systems

Ethernet/IP

Modbus TCP/IP

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.

The below job summary 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

This position is designed to develop and apply technical expertise in industrial automation, controls, and power system applications. Performs engineering work involving programmable logic controllers (PLCs), control systems, protective relaying, industrial communications networks, hydraulic systems, and associated electrical/electromechanical equipment. Responsibilities include supporting the design, testing, troubleshooting, and commissioning of industrial control systems using established engineering principles and industry standards.

The successful candidate should have working knowledge of PLC platforms such as Allen-Bradley (Rockwell Automation) and/or Modicon (Schneider Electric), including experience with Function Block programming. Familiarity with GE Cimplicity HMI/SCADA systems, industrial networking, hydraulic control systems, instrumentation, and Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) protective relays is desired.

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.

Entry Engineer Level (Salary Range: $70,000-$86,667)

Minimum Requirements

• Required bachelor's degree in engineering from ABET accredited curriculum. Electrical Engineering degree 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. Electrical 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

• Required bachelor’s degree in engineering from ABET accredited curriculum. Electrical 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

• Required bachelor’s degree in engineering from ABET accredited curriculum. Electrical 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

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, or a related technical discipline.
• Experience with Allen-Bradley ControlLogix, CompactLogix, Studio 5000, FactoryTalk, and/or Modicon PLC platforms.
• Experience with Function Block programming and industrial automation system development.
• Experience developing, configuring, maintaining, and troubleshooting GE Cimplicity HMI/SCADA systems.
• Familiarity with industrial networking including Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP/IP, Modbus RTU, managed switches, VLANs, and network troubleshooting.
• Experience with HMI, SCADA, instrumentation, VFDs, and industrial automation systems.
• Knowledge of hydraulic and electro-hydraulic control systems.
• Experience with SEL protective relays, relay communications, settings management, testing, and troubleshooting.
• Experience supporting commissioning, startup, testing, and maintenance of industrial control systems in industrial, utility, hydroelectric, or manufacturing environments.

Our culture is grounded in shared values and employee commitments that guide how we work, support one another, and grow together.

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. If you are in need of an accommodation to complete the application process, now or at any time in the future, please complete the Applicant Accommodation Request Form.

Non-Bargaining

The anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $70,000.00 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 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: 11/04/26

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Xcel Energy endeavors to make https://www.xcelenergy.com and https://jobs.xcelenergy.com accessible to any and all users. If you are in need of an accommodation to complete the application process, now or at any time in the future, please complete the Applicant Accommodation Request Form. For any other application related questions, including application follow-ups or technical issues, please use our Recruiting Assistance, Electra, for assistance. Electra can be found in the lower right-hand corner of our Xcel Energy Careers site.