Distribution and Gas Planning Engineer (Staff, Senior, or Principal)

Xcel Energy•Minneapolis, MN

10d•$81,000 - $156,600•Onsite

About The Position

The Distribution and Gas Planning Engineer role involves developing and supporting integrated strategic plans for gas and electric distribution systems. This includes identifying collaboration opportunities, evaluating future scenarios and innovative solutions, and aligning resources, forecasts, and departmental priorities. The position requires partnering across teams to incorporate regulatory requirements, internal strategic direction, cost-benefit considerations, and system constraints into cohesive planning efforts. Strategic plans will integrate traditional resources with non-traditional resources such as demand response, non-wires alternatives, non-pipes alternatives, virtual power plants, energy efficiency, beneficial electrification, energy storage, and managed charging. The role also involves communicating plans, recommendations, and process documentation to internal and external stakeholders to support informed decision-making and continuous improvement. This position will work across both the gas and electric systems. An ideal candidate will have expertise in electric system planning with a working knowledge and ability to develop expertise on the gas side and with non-traditional solutions. 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.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering from ABET accredited, electrical or civil engineering degrees preferred.
2+ year's relevant engineering experience (Staff Engineer Level).
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 (Staff Engineer Level).
5+ years relevant engineering experience with EIT/FE (Engineer in Training/Fundamentals of Engineering) required; 7+ years relevant engineering experience without EIT/FE (Senior Engineer Level).
9+ years relevant engineering experience with PE (Professional Engineer) registration required; 15+ years relevant engineering experience without PE (Principal Engineer Level).
Ability to demonstrate the unique technical skills and core competencies for this engineering level established & documented by the organization.

Nice To Haves

Utility load simulation and resource modeling tools such as Encompass, LoadSEER

Responsibilities

Applies extensive technical expertise and has an understanding of the basic principles of other related disciplines.
Fully demonstrates the unique technical skills and core competencies for this engineering level by applying technical standards, principles, theories, concepts, and techniques to lead projects of moderate to large size, scope and complexity.
Largely self-directed work is expected to result in the development of new or improved techniques, procedures and standards.
Supports the development of technical documentation (including but not limited to designs, testing, calculations, reports, standards, etc.)
Without appreciable direction exercises considerable latitude in determining ongoing technical support for project activities within areas such as Operations, Maintenance, Testing/diagnostics and Regulatory.
Provides field engineering oversight and direction for activities such as support, testing, installation, inspections, commissioning etc.
Coordinates/leads multiple projects or portions of projects (including phases such as research, design, equipment selection, procurement, installation and commissioning).
May lead more critical projects with oversight of a higher-level engineer or supervisor.
Represents the organization as the prime technical contact in the bid/evaluation processes including preparation of bid documents, completion of technical evaluations for proposals and providing recommendations for selection.
Interacts with senior external personnel on significant technical matters often requiring coordination with internal and external organizations.
Effectively and with precision resolves difficult technical/business matters both inter-organizationally and with outside customer/vendors with all formats of communication.
May assign tasks to and/or direct engineers, technicians, craft personnel and other support staff including coordination and review of work assignments.
Provides guidance and mentoring to less experienced engineers.
Responsible for continuous self-development of technical skills and competencies.
Leads activities such as budgeting, estimating, forecasting, accounting, work order management, in support of engineering projects.