Power Systems Modeling Engineer - Distribution (Entry and Staff)

Xcel Energy•Denver, CO

5d•$70,000 - $106,267•Onsite

About The Position

Xcel Energy's Integrated System Planning (ISP) department coordinates planning across all aspects of its utility operations — generation, transmission, distribution, and natural gas — in preparation for a carbon-neutral future. Within ISP, the modeling team supports long-term, cross-functional planning with technical power systems modeling expertise. This role involves maintaining and validating power flow models, assessing distribution grid capabilities through hosting capacity analysis, and supporting grid modernization efforts and regulatory filings. The position is open for both entry-level and staff engineers, with placement determined by skills and experience. The entry-level role focuses on developing technical expertise in a specialty area, performing work of limited scope with established precedents, and potentially leading small projects under supervision. As proficiency is gained, the engineer may work on larger projects and may supervise interns or technicians.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering from ABET accredited, electrical engineering degree with specialization in power systems preferred.
0+ years relevant engineering experience (for Entry Engineer Level)
2+ year's relevant engineering experience (for Staff Engineer Level)
Ability to demonstrate the unique technical skills and core competencies for this engineering level established & documented by the organization.
Demonstrated broad knowledge & proficiency in specialty area, knowledge of related specialties, & general knowledge of other related disciplines (for Staff Engineer Level).

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)
Experience performing distribution system planning and interconnection studies
Experience with distribution modeling tools such as CYME, Synergi, OpenDSS, or similar
Proficiency in Python
Familiarity with power system data models and standards, such as the Common Information Model (CIM)

Responsibilities

Maintain up-to-date power flow models as data and conditions change.
Work with model consumers to develop modeling standards that meet requirements for interconnection and planning studies and ensure consistent and repeatable modeling practices.
Stay current on industry best practices, emerging technologies, and advanced modeling techniques to continuously enhance analytical capabilities and planning outcomes.
Ensure accurate models through a standard model validation process.
Work to resolve data quality issues in upstream source data systems.
Work with ISP's data science team to build and validate ETL workflows in Xcel’s data management platform (Databricks).
Assess the capabilities of the distribution grid via hosting capacity analysis using EPRI DRIVE.
Publish distribution system capacity maps.
Incorporate stakeholder feedback to improve HCA map user experience.
Support Xcel's Distribution System Plans and other regulatory filings.
Support grid modernization efforts, such as beneficial electrification, non-wire alternatives, proactive grid upgrades, and dispatchable distributed generation.
Work to integrate distribution planning efforts with transmission, resource, and gas planning.
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.