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

Xcel Energy•Denver, CO

3d•$70,000 - $156,600•Hybrid

About The Position

The Distribution Planning Engineer applies technical expertise across Distribution Planning, Beneficial Electrification, Electric Vehicle Infrastructure, and Distributed Energy Resource Interconnections. The role serves as a technical advisor and consultant, carrying out complex or innovative assignments and developing or improving techniques, procedures, standards, and technical solutions. The engineer represents the organization on difficult technical matters, communicates with senior external personnel, and works with considerable independence in determining technical objectives. The role leads or supports multiple moderate-to-large engineering projects, or portions of major projects, across activities such as research, design, equipment selection, procurement, installation, and commissioning. It provides technical support to Operations, Maintenance, Testing/Diagnostics, and Regulatory activities, including field engineering oversight. Depending on level, the engineer may direct and review the work of other staff and mentor less experienced engineers. The successful candidate will be placed at the entry, staff, senior, or principal level based on skills and experience. The position supports a hybrid work model. Many roles are expected onsite three days per week, Tuesday through Thursday, but location expectations vary by role, team, and business needs. The anticipated starting base salary is $70,000 to $156,600 per year, with level-specific salary ranges listed in the posting.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited curriculum.
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 the specialty area, knowledge of related specialties, and general knowledge of other 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 technical skills and core competencies established and documented for the applicable engineering level.
Senior-level applicants must have EIT/FE (Engineer in Training/Fundamentals of Engineering).

Nice To Haves

Entry level: EIT/FE preferred.
Staff level: EIT/FE strongly preferred.
Senior level: PE (Professional Engineer) registration may be required depending on business need.

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 materials, calculations, reports, and standards.
Provide technical support for project activities involving Operations, Maintenance, Testing/Diagnostics, and Regulatory matters.
Provide field engineering oversight and direction for support, testing, installation, inspections, and commissioning activities.
Coordinate or lead multiple projects or portions of projects, including research, design, equipment selection, procurement, installation, and commissioning.
Represent the organization as the prime 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 effective communication.
Assign or direct work for engineers, technicians, craft personnel, and support staff; coordinate and review assignments where applicable.
Provide guidance and mentoring to less experienced engineers and continue developing technical skills and competencies.
Lead budgeting, estimating, forecasting, accounting, and work-order management activities in support of engineering projects.