DER/ BESS Engineer (Staff, Senior, or Principal)

Xcel Energy•Minneapolis, MN

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Xcel Energy is hiring a Distributed Energy Resources (DER) Engineer at the staff, senior, or principal level. The role provides technical support and leadership for planning, design, integration, and deployment of distributed energy resources across the company’s distribution system. Areas of focus include DER interconnection, power systems engineering, distribution planning, battery energy storage systems (BESS), grid modernization, SCADA and controls integration, and engineering coordination. The engineer supports DER, energy storage, microgrid, and grid modernization projects from concept through commissioning and operation. Working with Project Managers and cross-functional teams, the position coordinates technical execution across Engineering, Operations, Planning, Regulatory, Cybersecurity, Telecommunications, Customer Solutions, and external stakeholders, with the goal of integrating emerging grid technologies safely, reliably, and cost-effectively. The role’s level will be determined based on the selected candidate’s skills and experience, and requirements vary by level. Xcel Energy supports a hybrid work model. Many roles are expected to work onsite three days per week, Tuesday through Thursday; actual expectations vary by role, team, and business needs. The posting describes the responsibilities at the staff engineer level. Salary ranges by level are $81,800–$106,267 for Staff Engineer, $97,000–$129,267 for Senior Engineer, and $112,000–$156,600 for Principal Engineer. The anticipated starting base pay for the position is $70,000–$156,600 per year.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited program; electrical engineering is preferred.
Staff level: at least 2 years of relevant engineering experience.
Staff level: demonstrated broad knowledge and proficiency in a specialty area, knowledge of related specialties, and general knowledge of other related disciplines.
Staff level: ability to demonstrate the technical skills and core competencies established for the engineering level.
Senior level: at least 5 years of relevant engineering experience with EIT/FE, or at least 7 years without EIT/FE.
Senior level: ability to demonstrate the technical skills and core competencies established for the engineering level.
Principal level: at least 9 years of relevant engineering experience with PE registration, or at least 15 years without PE.
Principal level: ability to demonstrate the technical skills and core competencies established for the engineering level.
Experience with DER interconnection, power systems, distribution planning, BESS, grid modernization, and SCADA/controls.
Experience supporting utility, renewable energy, energy storage, or microgrid projects.
Knowledge of DERMS, ADMS, EMS, SCADA, IEEE 1547, and utility interconnection practices.
Strong project leadership, cross-functional coordination, and stakeholder engagement skills.

Nice To Haves

Staff level: EIT/FE (Engineer in Training/Fundamentals of Engineering) is strongly preferred.
Senior level: PE (Professional Engineer) registration may be required depending on business need.
Principal level: EIT/FE is a plus.

Responsibilities

Perform DER interconnection studies and power system analyses to support safe, reliable grid integration.
Support distribution planning and grid modernization to improve system reliability and performance.
Lead or support technical implementation of BESS, microgrid, and DER projects from development through operation.
Support integration of DER with SCADA, DERMS, ADMS, and related controls and communications.
Coordinate with Project Managers, internal teams, and external stakeholders to deliver projects.
Provide technical expertise for regulatory, stakeholder, and grid modernization initiatives.
Apply technical standards, principles, theories, concepts, and techniques to engineering assignments.
Support development of technical documentation, including designs, testing materials, calculations, reports, and standards.
Use and potentially assist in developing procedures.
Provide ongoing technical support for project activities such as operations, maintenance, testing and diagnostics, and regulatory work.
Under direct supervision, potentially provide field engineering oversight for commissioning, testing, and inspections.
Coordinate or lead projects or project phases—including research, design, equipment selection, procurement support, installation, and commissioning—under the direction of a higher-level engineer or supervisor.
Support bid and evaluation processes through basic analysis and calculations using existing documentation and materials.
Communicate with other business areas as part of technical proposal evaluations, following appropriate processes.
Exchange information with internal teams and external customers or vendors on matters of varying importance and complexity.
Potentially coordinate interns, drafters, technicians, or others, and guide and mentor less experienced engineers.
Continuously develop technical skills and competencies.
Potentially support engineering projects through budgeting, estimating, forecasting, accounting, and work order management.

Benefits

Annual incentive program
Medical/pharmacy plan
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Life insurance
Dependent care flexible spending account
Health care flexible spending account
Health savings account (if enrolled in an eligible health plan)
Limited-purpose flexible spending account (if enrolled in an eligible health plan and HSA)
Transportation reimbursement account
Short-term disability
Long-term disability
Employee assistance program
Fitness center reimbursement (if enrolled in an eligible health plan)
Tuition reimbursement
Transit programs
Employee recognition program
Pension
401(k) plan
Paid time off
Holidays
Volunteer paid time off
Parental leave