Wind Reliability Engineer (Entry, Staff, Senior, or Principal)

Xcel Energy Services Inc; United States; Hybrid; USD 97,000 - 129,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

Pension

Paid time off

Job summary

Xcel Energy is seeking engineers at varying levels to contribute to renewable substations, protection relaying, and reliability initiatives. The role involves applying technical standards, coordinating project activities, and supporting maintenance and diagnostics across multiple sites.

Ideal candidates hold an ABET-accredited engineering degree, with electrical emphasis preferred, and may have EIT/FE and PE considerations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering from ABET accredited curriculum.
• Electrical Engineering degree preferred.
• 0+ years relevant engineering experience.

Responsibilities

• Apply technical standards and contribute to project activities within Operations, Maintenance, Testing/diagnostics, and Regulatory areas.
• Coordinate projects or portions of projects; guide interns, drafters, technicians and others.
• Support budgeting, estimating, forecasting and bid/evaluation processes as needed.

Education

ABET accredited engineering program

Electrical Engineering degree preferred

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.

Position Summary

Applies extensive technical expertise in renewable substation engineering and electrical balance-of-plant equipment. Performs as a staff advisor and consultant in renewable plant substations, collection systems, protective relaying, and other high and medium voltage equipment reliability. Carries out complex or innovative assignments requiring the development of new or improved techniques and procedures related to asset health, equipment performance, maintenance strategies, troubleshooting, and reliability improvement initiatives. 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 substation reliability projects, equipment failures, root cause investigations, and major capital project initiatives. 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

Uses and applies technical standards, principles, theories, concepts, and techniques to perform activities/assignments of limited scope. Supports the development of technical documentation (including but not limited to designs, testing, calculations, reports, standards, etc.) Utilizes and may assist with the development of procedures. Provides ongoing technical support for project activities within areas such as Operations, Maintenance, Testing/diagnostics, Regulatory, etc. May provide field engineering oversight for activities such as commissioning, testing, inspections etc. under direct supervision. Coordinates/leads projects or portions of projects (including phases such as research, design, equipment selection, procurement support, installation and commissioning), under the direction of a higher level engineer or supervisor. Under the direction of a higher level engineer/supervisor, supports bid/evaluation processes by performing basic analysis and calculations on existing documentation and materials that support the preparation of bid documents. In completing segments of technical evaluations for proposals may need to effectively communicate with other business areas of the company following appropriate processes. Effectively exchanges information in all formats, on matters having a wide range of importance and complexity both inter-organizationally and with outside customer/vendors. May coordinate the work of interns, drafters, technicians, and/or others and provides guidance and mentoring to less experienced engineers. Responsible for continuous self development of technical skills and competencies. May perform activities such as budgeting, estimating, forecasting, accounting, work order management, in support of engineering projects.

Entry Engineer Level (Salary Range: $70,000-$88,667) Minimum Requirements

Required bachelor's degree in engineering from ABET accredited curriculum. Preferred Electrical Engineering degree. 0+ years relevant engineering experience Ability to demonstrate the unique technical skills and core competencies for this engineering level established & documented by the organization. Preferred EIT/FE (Engineer in Training/Fundamentals of Engineering) preferred.

Staff Engineer Level (Salary Range: $81,000 -106,267) Minimum Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering from ABET accredited. Preferred Electrical Engineering degree. 2+year's relevant engineering experience. Demonstrated broad knowledge & proficiency in specialty area, knowledge of related specialties, & general knowledge of other related disciplines. Ability to demonstrate the unique technical skills & core competencies for this engineering level established & documented by the organization. EIT/FE (Engineer in Training/Fundamentals of Engineering) strongly preferred.

Senior Engineer Level (Salary Range: $97,000-$129,267) Minimum Requirements

Required bachelor’s degree in engineering from ABET accredited curriculum. Preferred Electrical Engineering degree. 5+ years relevant engineering experience with EIT/FE (Engineer in Training/Fundamentals of Engineering) required; 7+ years relevant engineering experience without EIT/FE. Ability to demonstrate the unique technical skills and core competencies for this engineering level established & documented by the organization. Preferred PE (Professional Engineer) registration may be required depending on business need.

Principal Engineer (Salary Range: $112,000-$156,600) Minimum Requirements

Required bachelor’s degree in engineering from ABET accredited curriculum, Preferred Electrical Engineering degree. 9+ years relevant engineering experience with PE (Professional Engineer) registration required; 15+ years relevant engineering experience without PE. Ability to demonstrate the unique technical skills and core competencies for this engineering level established & documented by the organization.

Our culture is grounded in shared values and employee commitments that guide how we work, support one another, and grow together.

Our Values

• Connected
• Committed
• Trustworthy
• Safe

Our Employee Commitments

• Work that makes a difference
• A team you can count of
• Opportunities to grow
• Rewards that help you thrive

Xcel Energy provides job applicants reasonable accommodations for disabilities throughout the application process. If you are in need of an accommodation to complete the application process, now or at any time in the future, please complete the Applicant Accommodation Request Form.

Non-Bargaining The anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $70,000.00 to $156,600.00 per year

Benefits

• Annual Incentive Program
• Medical/Pharmacy Plan
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance
• Dependent Care Reimbursement Account
• Health Care Reimbursement Account
• Health Savings Account (HSA) (if enrolled in eligible health plan)
• Limited-Purpose FSA (if enrolled in eligible health plan and HSA)
• Transportation Reimbursement Account
• Short-term disability (STD)
• Long-term disability (LTD)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Fitness Center Reimbursement (if enrolled in eligible health plan)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Transit programs
• Employee recognition program
• Pension
• 401(k) plan
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Holidays
• Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO)
• Parental Leave

Benefit plans are subject to change and Xcel Energy has the right to end, suspend, or amend any of its plans, at any time, in whole or in part.

In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information including but not limited to dates of school attendance and graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Deadline to Apply: 10/19/26

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You. Us. Together. At Xcel Energy, we’re more than an energy company. We’re reinventing how we power communities. Redefining how we care for customers. Reaffirming our commitment to the planet.

We’re committed to leading with equity and inclusion. You’re not waiting for change – you’re creating it. You’re driven to protect the environment, support your community, and seek innovation. You want a career that grows with you and an employer who values you. You are reliable, trustworthy and bring integrity to everything you do. We are leading the way in clean energy. We’re using technology and innovation in every facet of our company. We’re providing safe, stable jobs with robust benefits. We keep our customers at the center of all we do. We’re committed to hiring a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can provide carbon‑free electricity by 2050. Together, we can take care of the environment and our communities. Together, we can create a place where everyone belongs. Together we’re building a better tomorrow.