Distribution Planning Engineer (Entry, Staff, Senior, or Principal)

Xcel Energy•Maple Grove, MN

2d•$70,000 - $156,600•Hybrid

About The Position

The Distribution Planning Engineer develops and implements near- and mid-term distribution system plans to ensure safe, reliable, and cost-effective electric service. The role conducts distribution system analyses—including power flow studies, hosting capacity assessments, capacity checks, and load forecasting—to identify infrastructure needs and support system growth. The engineer develops execution plans for capacity expansion projects, evaluates non-wires alternatives and other innovative grid solutions, and collaborates with account management, economic development, community relations, and regulatory teams. The position also supports distribution planning regulatory filings, maintains design philosophy documents and planning standards, identifies opportunities to integrate distributed energy resources, and provides technical recommendations aligned with operational needs and long-term business and customer objectives. At the entry level, this role develops expertise in a specialty area and performs work of limited scope involving conventional plans, investigations, structures, or equipment. Work is performed under supervision and established procedures, and is reviewed for technical judgment, adequacy, and accuracy. The engineer may lead small- to medium-sized non-critical projects, support larger projects as proficiency develops, provide field oversight under direction, and coordinate or guide the work of interns, drafters, technicians, craft personnel, or others. Placement at the entry, staff, senior, or principal level depends on the candidate's skills and experience.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited curriculum is required.
Entry level: 0 or more years of relevant engineering experience and ability to demonstrate the technical skills and core competencies established for the engineering level.
Staff level: 2 or more years of relevant engineering experience, broad knowledge and proficiency in the specialty area, knowledge of related specialties, general knowledge of related disciplines, and ability to demonstrate the established technical skills and core competencies.
Senior level: 5 or more years of relevant engineering experience with EIT/FE, or 7 or more years without EIT/FE, and ability to demonstrate the established technical skills and core competencies.
Principal level: 9 or more years of relevant engineering experience with PE registration, or 15 or more years without PE registration, and ability to demonstrate the established technical skills and core competencies.

Nice To Haves

EIT/FE (Engineer in Training/Fundamentals of Engineering) certification is preferred at the entry level and strongly preferred at the staff level.
PE (Professional Engineer) registration may be required for the senior level depending on business need.
Experience in distribution planning, distribution or substation design, DER interconnection, or distribution operations.
Experience with LoadSEER or other load forecasting tools.
Experience with CYME or other power flow tools.
Familiarity with utility regulatory processes and filings.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement near- and mid-term distribution system plans for safe, reliable, and cost-effective electric service.
Conduct power flow studies, hosting capacity assessments, capacity checks, and load forecasting to identify infrastructure needs and support system growth.
Develop execution plans for capacity expansion projects and evaluate non-wires alternatives and other innovative grid solutions.
Collaborate with account management, economic development, community relations, and regulatory teams.
Support distribution planning regulatory filings and maintain design philosophy documents and planning standards.
Identify opportunities for distributed energy resource integration and provide technical recommendations aligned with operational and long-term business and customer objectives.
Apply technical standards, principles, theories, concepts, and techniques to assignments of limited scope.
Support development of technical documentation, including designs, testing, calculations, reports, and standards, and assist with procedures.
Provide technical support for project activities in areas such as operations, maintenance, testing and diagnostics, and regulatory work; provide field engineering oversight under direct supervision when needed.
Coordinate or lead projects or project portions, including research, design, equipment selection, procurement support, installation, and commissioning, under direction of a higher-level engineer or supervisor.
Support bid and evaluation processes by conducting basic analysis and calculations on existing documentation and materials and contributing to technical proposal evaluations.
Exchange information with internal organizations and external customers or vendors on matters of varying importance and complexity.
Coordinate the work of interns, drafters, technicians, or others, and provide guidance and mentoring to less experienced engineers as needed.
Continuously develop technical skills and competencies.
Support engineering projects through activities such as budgeting, estimating, forecasting, accounting, and work order management.