Transmission Planning Engineer, Staff, Senior or Principal

Xcel Energy Services Inc; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 97,000 - 146,000; Full time

Job summary

Xcel Energy is seeking a senior engineer to apply extensive technical expertise in power systems studies and transmission planning. The role involves leading modeling activities, coordinating with IS Planning, and communicating complex results to leadership and stakeholders.

The position supports a hybrid work model with onsite collaboration and flexible scheduling, reflecting our commitment to delivering reliable, resilient, and sustainable energy across multiple states.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or higher in engineering or physics from ABET-accredited program.
• 2+ years of demonstrated experience in power systems studies or transmission planning.
• EIT/FE strongly preferred; graduate degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and perform modeling and analysis for steady state and stability simulations.
• Develop scopes for studies guiding long-range transmission system plans.
• Effectively communicate study results to diverse audiences, written and verbal.
• Improve Integrated System Planning procedures and techniques through self-directed work.
• Implement NERC and FERC compliance activities as an SME in coordination with IS Planning.
• Mentor engineers, interns, and technicians, and develop training materials.

Skills

Power systems studies

Transmission planning

Communication skills

Education

ABET-accredited engineering/physics program

Electrical Engineering degree preferred

Tools

PSSE

TARA

EMS

CAPE

PROMOD

PLEXOS

PowerWorld

PSCAD

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 job summary below and responsibilities reflect the senior 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 staff and principal engineer levels.

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. This role requires a balance of technical acumen and strong communication skills, as the senior engineer will need to convey technical concepts clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Communication will occur in various formats, including in-person meetings, virtual discussions, presentations to leadership, and written reports.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Power systems studies engineer: Leads and performs modeling and analysis activities for steady state and stability simulations
• Transmission planning engineer: Develops scopes for studies to guide long-range transmission system plans and coordinates with other Integrated System Planning departments to ensure assumptions align across subdisciplines
• Effectively communicates the results of studies and department endeavors to a wide range of audiences through written and verbal means
• Improves Integrated System Planning procedures and techniques through largely self-directed work. Resolves difficult technical and business problems
• Implements, without substantial direction, NERC and FERC compliance activities as an SME. Activities are coordinated through the Integrated System Planning department and with external entities
• Assigns tasks to lower-level engineers, interns and technicians. Mentors and provides training materials for less experienced engineers to ensure group development

Staff Minimum Requirements (Salary Range: $81,800 - 106,266)

Bachelor's degree in engineering and/or Physics from ABET accredited curriculum, electrical engineering degree preferred. 2+ years of demonstrated experience. Experience with at least one power system transmission analysis tool, such as PSSE, TARA, EMS, ASPEN, CAPE, PROMOD, PLEXOS, PowerWorld, PSCAD or other similar analysis software. Demonstrates broad knowledge and proficiency in power systems studies or transmission planning, knowledge of related specialties, and general knowledge of other related disciplines. EIT/FE (Engineer in Training/Fundamentals of Engineering) strongly preferred. Graduate degree in fields above preferred.

Senior Minimum Requirements (Salary Range: $97,000-$145,500)

Bachelor's degree in engineering and/or Physics from ABET accredited curriculum, electrical en