South Dakota Transmission Planning Engineer

NorthWestern Energy; Sioux Falls (SD); On-site; USD 74,000 - 143,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K with company match up to 4% and 7

Healthcare and wellbeing programs

Life Insurance

Continuing education reimbursement

Competitive pay and annual incentive

Paid parental leave

Paid training opportunities

Paid time off and holidays

Job summary

NorthWestern Energy is seeking a seasoned transmission planning engineer to help design and optimize the South Dakota transmission grid, coordinating with the SPP and regional partners.

The role involves developing base cases, performing system studies, and ensuring compliance with NERC/FERC/SPP requirements for reliable, economical operation. Expect cross‑functional collaboration, travel, and a competitive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering required; Electrical Engineering preferred.
• 2–3+ years of transmission planning experience; PE licensure preferred.
• 5–7+ years for mid-to-senior; strong analysis and strategic thinking; PE preferred.
• 8–10+ years for senior; advanced expertise in transmission planning; PE preferred

Responsibilities

• Serve as Northwestern Energy's primary transmission planning representative for SPP planning processes.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, regional SPP zonal members, SPP committees, and other regulatory agencies to develop transmission solutions.
• Develop base cases and conduct transmission system studies using power flow and stability simulation software.
• Make recommendations to management on system improvements to mitigate identified problems.
• Maintain compliance with reliability standards including industry and regulatory.
• Lead participation in SPP transmission planning committees and planning working groups.
• Coordinate planning studies and data requests between Northwestern Energy and SPP.
• Develop transmission expansion plans to address local and regional needs.
• Travel to off-site meetings and trainings up to 15% of the time.
• Prepare technical reports and presentations for management and regulators.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Communication skills

Python programming

Power system modeling

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

PSS/E

Power flow software

Job description

Work Location

Open to South Dakota Service Territory and Butte, MT

Pay range

$74,000 to $143,300 per year

Employment Status

Regular Full Time

Entry-level engineering position. A bachelor's degree in engineering is required for all levels, with a preference for Electrical Engineering.

Mid-level engineering position. Requires 2-3+ years of relevant experience in transmission planning and a working knowledge of transmission planning processes. Demonstrates a solid understanding of SPP guidelines, policies, practices, and standards related to transmission planning. Actively pursuing Professional Engineer (PE) licensure is preferred.

Mid-to-senior-level engineering position. Requires 5-7+ years of relevant experience. Demonstrates expertise in SPP processes and transmission planning tools, along with strong analytical and strategic thinking capabilities. Professional Engineer (PE) licensure is preferred.

Senior-level engineering position. Requires 8-10+ years of experience demonstrating advanced expertise in transmission planning. Professional Engineer (PE) licensure is strongly preferred and may be required for specific roles. Demonstrates strategic expertise in planning engineering and the ability to align planning initiatives with organizational objectives. Recognized as a subject matter expert in transmission planning tools and SPP planning processes.

About this position

The South Dakota Transmission Planning Engineer is responsible for planning activities for Northwestern Energy's South Dakota transmission system and coordinating transmission planning-related activities within the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) footprint. This role supports compliance with NERC, FERC, and SPP requirements while performing & evaluating transmission expansion needs, generation interconnections, load growth, and long-term system reliability.

We offer great benefits

• 401K with company match up to 4% and non-elective contribution up to 7%
• Healthcare and wellbeing programs, including dental and vision for you, your spouse and dependents, Health Savings Account (HSA), healthcare and dependent care flexible spending account (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Programs (Offering up to six free counseling sessions, per person, per issue, per year for employees, spouses and dependents to include financial health)
• Life Insurance (Company pays basic employee policy; spouse, dependent insurance also available)
• Continuing education reimbursement
• Competitive pay (Scheduled performance-based wage increases and annual incentive opportunities.)
• Paid company endorsed volunteer opportunities
• Paid parental leave
• Paid training opportunities
• Paid time off starting on your first day, plus 11 paid holidays

Benefits may vary by position or as negotiated as part of a collective bargaining agreement.

About this job

• Serve as Northwestern Energy's primary transmission planning representative for SPP planning processes.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, regional SPP zonal members, SPP committees, and other regulatory agencies to develop transmission solutions and advocacy for NorthWestern Energy that supports system reliability and strategic business objectives.
• Develop base cases and conduct transmission system studies using power flow and stability simulation software
• Make recommendations to management on system improvements to mitigate identified problems
• Maintain compliance with all related reliability standards including industry and regulatory
• Lead participation in SPP transmission planning committees, stakeholder activities, and planning working groups.
• Coordinate planning studies and data requests between Northwestern Energy and SPP.
• Develop transmission expansion plans to address local and regional reliability and economic needs.
• Coordinate planning activities with SPP, neighboring regional zonal members and other transmission owners in SPP
• Develop and maintain advanced transmission planning models, including node-breaker and EMT models where applicable.
• Participate in SPP Integrated Transmission Planning (ITP) processes, committees and meetings
• Knowledge and application of SPP tariff provisions
• Support and advocate transmission owner responses to SPP planning assessments
• Travel to off-site meetings, trainings, etc. including overnight travel up to 15% of the time
• Provide technical support to Operations, Asset Management, Engineering, and functional groups as requested.
• Assist with transmission facility rating coordination and documentation.
• Prepare technical reports and presentations for management, regulatory agencies and other stakeholders
• The ability to maintain regular, reliable, and punctual attendance is an essential function of this position, consistent with applicable laws and reasonable accommodation requirements
• All NorthWestern Energy employees are required to adhere to company safety standards and the Code of Business Conduct & Ethics
• Ensure all actions are consistent with NorthWestern Energy's values, mission, and strategic business objective

Am I right for this job? Here's the success profile

• Must be able to demonstrate and maintain a good safety record
• Engineering degree required, Electrical Engineering preferred
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability & desire to obtain a Professional Engineer's License is preferred
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Strong advocacy and stakeholder abilities
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Communicate technical information effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Knowledge of computer programming preferred (such as Python)
• Knowledge & experience with power system modeling software preferred (such as PSS/E)
• Experience developing and performing transmission planning studies
• Experience working within the SPP footprint preferred
• 3+ years of transmission planning experience preferred
• Get Into Energy - Energy Industry Fundamental 2.0 certification is a plus (click the link to certify at no cost)

Requisition #5025

Posting Dates: August 24, 2026 through Open Until Filled

Department/Division: Operations

Employment Physical: Not Required

Drug Test: Required

Telecommuting: Part-time Negotiable within NorthWestern Energy Service Territory

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other protected class in accordance with applicable federal or state laws and statutes. In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act, should you have a disability that requires assistance and/or reasonable accommodation with the job application process, please contact the Human Resources department at 1-800-245-6977 or at [e-mail].