Substation Commissioning Engineer (Staff, Senior, or Principal)

Xcel Energy; Texas; On-site; USD 82,000 - 119,000; Full time

Job summary

Xcel Energy's Substation Commissioning Engineering group seeks a staff-level engineer to apply extensive technical expertise across substation protection, control, SCADA, and testing. You will lead projects, oversee field activities, and coordinate bid/evaluation processes with internal and external teams.

The role emphasizes mentoring, development of new techniques, and delivering commissioning results to influence future designs and procedures within Transmission and Distribution Systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering from ABET-accredited program (electrical preferred).
• 2+ years of relevant engineering experience.
• Broad knowledge across related disciplines and project execution.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects of moderate to large size with technical leadership.
• Develop technical documentation, designs, tests, reports and standards.
• Provide field engineering oversight for testing, installation and commissioning.
• Coordinate multiple projects or phases (research, design, equipment selection, procurement, installation and commissioning).
• Serve as prime technical contact in bid/evaluation processes with internal/external stakeholders.
• Communicate effectively to resolve technical/business matters across organizations.

Skills

Electrical engineering

Project leadership

Field engineering

Testing/diagnostics

Bid/evaluation

Mentoring/leadership

Education

ABET-accredited engineering degree

Electrical 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? A position at Xcel Energy could be just what you're looking for.

Substation Commissioning Engineering is a department with opportunities to enhance one's knowledge of Xcel Energy's Transmission and Distribution Systems. Our primary focus is to test and commission new equipment installations to ensure proper operation as designed. Successful substation commissioning involves several aspects of system design: substation protection and control, protective relay settings, SCADA, project management, and transmission system operations. Our responsibilities include developing automated tests, hand-on testing in substations, personnel coordination and scheduling, validation of asset information, and providing commissioning results information to other departments to improve future designs and procedures.

Position Summary

Applies extensive technical expertise and has full knowledge of other related disciplines. Performs as a staff advisor and consultant in a technical specialty, a type of facility or equipment, or a program function. Carries out complex or innovative assignments requiring the development of new or improved techniques and procedures. Work is expected to result in the development of new/improved techniques and procedures or new/refined equipment, materials, processes, products, and/or scientific methods. Represents the organization as the prime technical contact on contracts and projects and interacts with senior external personnel on significant technical matters often requiring coordination between organizations. Work is performed without appreciable direction, and considerable latitude is exercised in determining technical objectives of assignment. Guidance relates largely to overall objectives, critical issues, new concepts and policy matters. Completed work is reviewed from a relatively long- term perspective, for desired results. May assign tasks to and direct engineers, technicians, craft personnel and administrative staff, including coordination and review of work assignments. Responsible for (and may lead) multiple projects of moderate to large size or portions of major projects.

Essential Responsibilities

• Applies extensive technical expertise and has an understanding of the basic principles of other related disciplines. Fully demonstrates the unique technical skills and core competencies for this engineering level by applying technical standards, principles, theories, concepts, and techniques to lead projects of moderate to large size, scope and complexity.
• Largely self-directed work is expected to result in the development of new or improved techniques, procedures and standards. Supports the development of technical documentation (including but not limited to designs, testing, calculations, reports, standards, etc.)
• Without appreciable direction exercises considerable latitude in determining ongoing technical support for project activities within areas such as Operations, Maintenance, Testing/diagnostics and Regulatory. Provides field engineering oversight and direction for activities such as support, testing, installation, inspections, commissioning etc.
• Coordinates/leads multiple projects or portions of projects (including phases such as research, design, equipment selection, procurement, installation and commissioning). May lead more critical projects with oversight of a higher-level engineer or supervisor.
• Represents the organization as the prime technical contact in the bid/evaluation processes including preparation of bid documents, completion of technical evaluations for proposals and providing recommendations for selection. Interacts with senior external personnel on significant technical matters often requiring coordination with internal and external organizations.
• Effectively and with precision resolves difficult technical/business matters both inter-organizationally and with outside customer/vendors with all formats of communication.
• May assign tasks to and/or direct engineers, technicians, craft personnel and other support staff including coordination and review of work assignments. Provides guidance and mentoring to less experienced engineers. Responsible for continuous self-development of technical skills and competencies.
• Leads activities such as budgeting, estimating, forecasting, accounting, work order management, in support of engineering projects.

Staff Engineer Level (Salary Range: $81,800-$118,500)

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 discipl