DER Interconnection Engineer (Entry, Staff, Senior, or Principal)

Xcel Energy•Denver, CO

1d•$70,000 - $156,600•Hybrid

About The Position

Xcel Energy is seeking an engineer for its Distributed Energy Resources (DER) Integration team, which evaluates requests to connect distributed generation to the distribution system. The team assesses impacts on reliability and safety and determines methods for safe, reliable interconnection. The role collaborates with internal engineering stakeholders, including area engineering, planning, integrated system planning, substation engineering, and protection. The selected candidate will support the NSP interconnection process and have specific geographic and milestone responsibilities; Minnesota is the preferred base location. The position summary and responsibilities describe the staff engineer level. The successful candidate will be placed at an entry, staff, senior, or principal level commensurate with skills and experience, with different requirements at each level. At the staff level, the engineer applies extensive technical expertise, performs complex or innovative assignments, develops or improves techniques and procedures, and serves as a technical contact for projects and contracts. The role operates with considerable latitude and may direct or mentor other staff, and may lead multiple moderate-to-large projects or portions of major projects. Xcel Energy supports a hybrid work model. Many roles are expected to work onsite three days per week, Tuesday through Thursday, though expectations vary by role, team, and business needs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited curriculum.
Electrical engineering degree preferred; a mechanical engineering degree with relevant engineering experience is also identified.
Entry level: 0 or more years of relevant engineering experience.
Staff level: 2 or more years of relevant engineering experience, with broad knowledge and proficiency in a specialty area, knowledge of related specialties, and general knowledge of related disciplines.
Senior level: 5 or more years of relevant engineering experience with EIT/FE, or 7 or more years without EIT/FE.
Principal level: 9 or more years of relevant engineering experience with PE registration, or 15 or more years without PE.
Ability to demonstrate the unique technical skills and core competencies established for the applicable engineering level.
EIT/FE is strongly preferred at staff level and required at senior level for the experience pathway that specifies it.
PE registration may be required for the senior level depending on business need and is required at principal level for the 9-or-more-years experience pathway.

Nice To Haves

EIT/FE (Engineer in Training/Fundamentals of Engineering) certification is preferred at entry level.
EIT/FE certification is strongly preferred at staff level.
Professional Engineer (PE) registration is preferred at senior level, depending on business need.
Minnesota as the candidate’s work location is preferred.

Responsibilities

Evaluate requests to connect distributed generation to the distribution system, assessing reliability and safety impacts and determining safe, reliable interconnection methods.
Support the NSP interconnection process and fulfill assigned geographic and milestone responsibilities.
Apply engineering standards, principles, theories, concepts, and techniques to lead projects of moderate to large size, scope, and complexity.
Develop or improve engineering techniques, procedures, and standards, and support technical documentation such as designs, testing, calculations, reports, and standards.
Provide technical support and field engineering oversight for operations, maintenance, testing and diagnostics, installation, inspections, and commissioning.
Coordinate or lead multiple projects or portions of projects, including research, design, equipment selection, procurement, installation, and commissioning.
Represent the organization as a technical contact in bid and evaluation processes, prepare bid documents, evaluate proposals, and recommend selections.
Resolve difficult technical and business matters with internal organizations, customers, and vendors through precise communication.
Assign or direct work for engineers, technicians, craft personnel, and support staff; coordinate and review assignments and mentor less experienced engineers.
Lead budgeting, estimating, forecasting, accounting, and work order management in support of engineering projects.
Maintain and continuously develop technical skills and competencies.