Distribution Wildfire Engineer (Entry, Staff, Senior, Principal)

Xcel Energy•Minneapolis, MN

2d•$70,000 - $156,600•Onsite

About The Position

Xcel Energy is seeking a Distribution Electrical Engineer to support growing efforts in system protection and wildfire resiliency across the distribution grid. This role provides the opportunity to develop expertise in protection engineering, grid resiliency, and wildfire risk reduction while working alongside experienced engineers and operations teams. The successful candidate will contribute to key initiatives focused on reducing wildfire ignition risk and improving system performance, including support of Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS), asset health programs, and field-driven mitigation strategies. This is an excellent opportunity for engineers interested in building skills in medium voltage system protection, fault response, and resiliency planning, with exposure to real-world applications in high fire risk areas. The job summary below and responsibilities reflect the entry engineer level role. The successfully chosen candidate will be placed at a level that is commensurate with their skills and experience as different skills and/or experience will be required at the staff, senior and principal engineer level. Position Summary: This is an entry level position designed to develop technical expertise in a particular area of specialty. Performs work that involves conventional types of plans, investigations, surveys, structures or equipment with relatively few complex features for which there are precedents. Activities are of limited scope requiring knowledge of principles and techniques commonly employed in the specific narrow area of assignments. May lead small-medium, non-critical projects and/or provide field oversight of critical projects under direction of higher level engineer or supervisor. Work is reviewed for soundness of technical judgment, overall adequacy and accuracy. As proficiency is gained, may work on portions of larger projects. Works under supervision and follows established procedures. May supervise or coordinate the work of interns, drafters, craft personnel, technicians and/or others.

Requirements

Required bachelor's degree in engineering from ABET accredited curriculum, Electrical Engineering degree preferred.
0+ years relevant engineering experience (for Entry Engineer Level)
Ability to demonstrate the unique technical skills and core competencies for this engineering level established & documented by the organization.
2+year's relevant engineering experience (for Staff Engineer Level)
Demonstrated broad knowledge & proficiency in specialty area, knowledge of related specialties, & general knowledge of other related disciplines (for 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 (for Senior Engineer Level)
9+ years relevant engineering experience with PE (Professional Engineer) registration required; 15+ years relevant engineering experience without PE (for Principal Engineer)
Degree in Electrical Engineering or related field
Experience with power systems, system protection, or grid resiliency
Exposure to protection concepts, fault analysis, or relay/recloser

Nice To Haves

EIT/FE (Engineer in Training/Fundamentals of Engineering) preferred (for Entry Engineer Level)
EIT/FE (Engineer in Training/Fundamentals of Engineering) strongly preferred (for Staff Engineer Level)
PE (Professional Engineer) registration may be required depending on business need (for Senior Engineer Level)

Responsibilities

Uses and applies technical standards, principles, theories, concepts, and techniques to perform activities/assignments of limited scope.
Supports the development of technical documentation (including but not limited to designs, testing, calculations, reports, standards, etc.)
Utilizes and may assist with the development of procedures.
Provides ongoing technical support for project activities within areas such as Operations, Maintenance, Testing/diagnostics, Regulatory, etc.
May provide field engineering oversight for activities such as commissioning, testing, inspections etc. under direct supervision.
Coordinates/leads projects or portions of projects (including phases such as research, design, equipment selection, procurement support, installation and commissioning), under the direction of a higher level engineer or supervisor.
Under the direction of a higher level engineer/supervisor, supports bid/evaluation processes by performing basic analysis and calculations on existing documentation and materials that support the preparation of bid documents.
In completing segments of technical evaluations for proposals may need to effectively communicate with other business areas of the company following appropriate processes.
Effectively exchanges information in all formats, on matters having a wide range of importance and complexity both inter-organizationally and with outside customer/vendors.
May coordinate the work of interns, drafters, technicians, and/or others and provides guidance and mentoring to less experienced engineers.
Responsible for continuous self development of technical skills and competencies.
May perform activities such as budgeting, estimating, forecasting, accounting, work order management, in support of engineering projects.