Electrical Engineer - Transmission Planning (Entry, Staff, Senior, or Principal Level)

Xcel Energy•Amarillo, TX

2d•$68,300 - $152,766

About The Position

Are you looking for an exciting job where you can put your skills and talents to work at a company you can feel proud to be a part of? Do you want a workplace that will challenge you and offer you opportunities to learn and grow? A position at Xcel Energy could be just what you’re looking for. This position is based in Amarillo, TX 79101 and can be hired at the Principal, Senior, Staff, or Entry level, depending on candidates' overall experience, qualifications, and interview results. Position Summary Key Job Performance Criteria (will differ based upon job level) Perform Comprehensive Power System Planning Studies, including: Steady-State Load Flow Analysis under normal and contingency conditions (N-1, N-1-1, and extreme events) to identify system limitations and develop mitigation strategies. Short-Circuit and Protection Coordination Studies to ensure appropriate equipment ratings, relay coordination, and breaker duty compliance, including assessments for system modifications and new interconnections. Dynamic Performance Assessments, including Transient Stability and Small-Signal Stability Studies to evaluate rotor angle stability, voltage recovery, and oscillatory damping performance under a wide range of system disturbances. Electromagnetic Transient (EMT) Analysis for evaluating control interactions and fast dynamic phenomena associated with large power electronic loads (e.g., data centers), inverter-based resources (IBRs), and FACTS devices, leveraging PSCAD/EMTDC. Geomagnetic Induced Current (GIC) Studies aligned with NERC TPL-007 standards to assess geomagnetic disturbance impacts on transformers and bulk electric system reliability. Support Regulatory Compliance and Model Validation Activities: Perform NERC TPL-001-5.1 compliance assessments, including extreme event analyses such as CIP-014 physical security risk assessments, wide-area event simulations, and black start restoration studies. Support dynamic model validation efforts per WECC and NERC MOD standards, ensuring fidelity of generator, inverter, and composite load models for stability studies. Conduct Advanced Inverter-Based Resource (IBR) Integration Studies: Assess grid-forming/grid-following inverter technologies and their impact on system strength, transient behavior, and control interactions. Apply IEEE 2800 requirements for IBR performance, including ride-through, reactive power support, and fast frequency response capabilities. Address challenges of high renewable penetration and develop mitigation strategies to maintain bulk power system reliability. Support Western Interconnection and Regional Planning: Coordinate with WestConnect Planning Management Committee, WECC Reliability Subcommittees, and interconnection working groups to support transmission expansion planning, regional policy compliance, and reliability initiatives. Engage in regional and subregional transmission planning processes, contributing to multi-utility studies and cross-border resource integration scenarios. Perform Resource Interconnection and Transmission Service Studies: Execute System Impact Studies (SIS) and Facility Studies consistent with FERC Order 2023 and regional tariffs. Evaluate interconnection requests for conventional generation, IBRs, storage, hybrid resources, and emerging technologies such as microgrids and aggregated DERs under FERC 2222 frameworks. Recommend necessary transmission reinforcements, upgrades, or operational solutions to accommodate new resources and loads. Evaluate Grid-Enhancing Technologies (GETs): Analyze and model Dynamic Line Rating (DLR), Advanced Power Flow Controllers (APFC), and Topology Optimization (TTO) to maximize transmission efficiency and capacity without traditional infrastructure expansion. Support cost-benefit assessments and pilot project implementations for GETs in collaboration with operations and asset management teams. Automation and Digitalization: Develop and maintain Python-based automation tools to streamline study execution, scenario management, and results post-processing for PSSE, PSLF, TARA, TSAT, PSCAD simulations. Advance digital workflows to reduce engineering effort, improve repeatability, and enable high-volume interconnection and compliance studies. Reporting, Regulatory Filings, and Knowledge Dissemination: Author and deliver technical reports, regulatory filings, and executive summaries for internal leadership and external regulatory agencies. Present findings at regional stakeholder meetings, industry conferences (e.g., IEEE PES, CIGRÉ), and technical workshops to communicate planning approaches and emerging challenges. Industry Engagement and Representation: Represent Xcel Energy in NERC working groups, IEEE technical committees, WECC Model Validation Working Group, WestConnect Planning forums, and other industry task forces focused on dynamic performance, renewable integration, and bulk power system reliability. Mentorship and Technical Leadership: Mentor engineers, interns, and analysts on advanced simulation methodologies, IBR modeling, EMT techniques, and emerging grid technologies. Provide technical leadership to internal teams, fostering expertise development in grid dynamics, automation, and planning best practices. Lead internal technical workshops and contribute to the development of best-in-class planning documentation and standards. Support development of capital budgets, conceptual transmission projects, and economic analyses in joint planning contexts.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and/or Physics from ABET accredited curriculum (or recognized equivalency).
0+ years relevant engineering experience.
EIT/FE (Engineer in Training/Fundamentals of Engineering) preferred.
Graduate degree in fields above preferred.
Course experience in Introduction to Power Systems (or similar course) preferred.
Internship experience within power industry.
Bachelor's Degree in Engineering and/or Physics from ABET accredited curriculum (or recognized equivalency).
2+ years of demonstrated experience.
Experience with at least one power system transmission analysis tool, such as PSSE, TARA, EMS, ASPEN, CAPE, PROMOD, PLEXOS, PowerWorld, PSCAD or other similar analysis software.
Demonstrates broad knowledge and proficiency in power systems studies or transmission planning, knowledge of related specialties, and general knowledge of other related disciplines.
EIT/FE (Engineer in Training/Fundamentals of Engineering) strongly preferred.
Graduate degree in fields above preferred.
Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering and/or Physics from ABET accredited curriculum (or recognized equivalency).
5+ years with nationally recognized certification, 7+ years without certification.
Experience with multiple power system transmission analysis tools such as PSSE, TARA, EMS, ASPEN, CAPE, PROMOD, PLEXOS, PowerWorld, PSCAD or other similar analysis software.
EIT/FE (Engineer in Training/Fundamentals of Engineering and/or PE (Professional Engineer) registration preferred.
Graduate degree in fields above preferred.
Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering and/or Physics from ABET accredited curriculum (or recognized equivalency).
9 + years of demonstrated experience with PE (Professional Engineer) registration, 15+ years of demonstrated experience without PE (Professional Engineer) registration.
Experience with multiple power system transmission analysis tools, such as PSSE, TARA, EMS, ASPEN, CAPE, PROMOD, PLEXOS, PowerWorld, PSCAD or other similar analysis software.
EIT/FE (Engineer in Training/Fundamentals of Engineering and/or PE (Professional Engineer) registration preferred.
Graduate degree in fields above preferred.

Nice To Haves

Bachelors or Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering from an ABET accredited institution or recognized equivalency
Electric power transmission planning engineering experience
EIT / FE / PE certification
PE (Professional Engineer) registration preferred.

Responsibilities

Under the direction of higher-level engineer or supervisor: performs model development, modeling reviews, design, and analysis of Xcel Energy assets using PSSE, PSLF, TARA, DSA Tools or similar software
Develops study documentation and may assist with the development of procedures.
Development of technical skillsets
Coordinate the work of interns and technicians.
Explores or implements new processes to improve the Integrated System Planning department's ability to perform its tasks
Other work as assigned
Scopes and/or performs power system simulations to evaluate reliability. Work is checked by a higher-level engineer or manager
Develops study documentation and may assist with the development of procedures.
Supports and maintains compliance with NERC and FERC standards through evidence development.
Constructs information and data to be exchanged with other Integrated System Planning groups and external entities
Power systems studies engineer: Coordinates model development activities to ensure all metrics of RTO/RE and internal criteria are met
Transmission planning engineer: Develops simple scopes of work to guide long-range transmission system plans
Other work as assigned
Power systems studies engineer: Leads and performs modeling and analysis activities for steady state and stability simulations
Transmission planning engineer: Develops scopes for studies to guide long-range transmission system plans and coordinates with other Integrated System Planning departments to ensure assumptions align across subdisciplines
Effectively communicates the results of studies and department endeavors to a wide range of audiences through written and verbal means
Improves Integrated System Planning procedures and techniques through largely self-directed work.
Resolves difficult technical and business problems
Implements, without substantial direction, NERC and FERC compliance activities as an SME. Activities are coordinated through the Integrated System Planning department and with external entities
Assigns tasks to lower-level engineers, interns and technicians. Mentors and provides training materials for less experienced engineers to ensure group development
Mentor younger engineers as determined by Manager
Other work as assigned
Power systems studies engineer: Directs and runs power system studies. This engineer can expect many complex and interdisciplinary issues to be within their scope of work. Will lead multiple complex projects simultaneously.
Transmission planning engineer: Develops scopes for complex studies to guide long-range transmission system plans and coordinates with other Integrated System Planning departments to ensure processes align across subdisciplines. General work is self-directed and should be self-initiated. Work and analysis will generally have wide-ranging ramifications to the business.
Serves as a spokesperson within the Integrated System Planning group. Acts as an advisor to management. Helps with workflow management within the department.
Power systems studies engineer: Works as an established SME for modeling and analysis processes, procedures, and standards compliance. Will contribute to integrated modeling and analysis methods across the generation/transmission and transmission/distribution boundaries.
Transmission planning engineer: Support and provide testimony in state regulatory processes and strategic direction for transmission system plans
Mentor younger engineers as determined by Manager
Other work as assigned