Transmission Planning Engineer – SD/Remote

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

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.