Transmission Planning Engineer – Hybrid Telecommuting Eligible

Northwestern Energy; Butte (MT); On-site; USD 74,000 - 143,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K with company match

Healthcare and wellbeing programs

Education reimbursement

Paid time off

Job summary

Northwestern Energy is seeking a South Dakota Transmission Planning Engineer to oversee planning for the South Dakota transmission system and coordinate with the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) footprint. The role supports compliance with NERC, FERC, and SPP requirements, evaluating expansion needs and reliability across the region.

Open to South Dakota service territory and Butte, MT, with travel up to 15% and a focus on base-case studies, stakeholder collaboration, and long-term system planning.

Qualifications

• Engineering degree required; Electrical preferred.
• 2–3+ years of transmission planning experience (Engineer II).
• Professional Engineer (PE) licensure preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Northwestern Energy's primary transmission planning representative for SPP planning processes.
• Develop base cases and conduct transmission system studies using power flow and stability software.
• Coordinate planning activities with SPP and neighboring regional zonal members and other transmission owners in SPP.
• Prepare technical reports and presentations for management, regulatory agencies and other stakeholders.

Skills

Transmission planning

Analytical skills

Stakeholder engagement

Regulatory awareness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Electrical Engineering preferred

Tools

PSS/E

Job description

Northwestern Energy is seeking a South Dakota Transmission Planning Engineer to oversee planning for the South Dakota transmission system and coordinate with the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) footprint. The role supports compliance with NERC, FERC, and SPP requirements, evaluating expansion needs and reliability across the region.

Open to South Dakota service territory and Butte, MT, with travel up to 15% and a focus on base-case studies, stakeholder collaboration, and long-term system planning.