Project Engineer - Electrical / Controls (NSP Hydro Projects)

Xcel Energy•Minneapolis, MN

17h•Hybrid

About The Position

This position develops and applies technical expertise in industrial automation, controls, and power system applications. The work involves programmable logic controllers (PLCs), control systems, protective relaying, industrial communications networks, hydraulic systems, and associated electrical and electromechanical equipment. The engineer supports the design, testing, troubleshooting, and commissioning of industrial control systems using established engineering principles and industry standards. Working knowledge of Allen-Bradley (Rockwell Automation) and/or Modicon (Schneider Electric) PLC platforms, including Function Block programming, is expected. Familiarity with GE Cimplicity HMI/SCADA systems, industrial networking, hydraulic control systems, instrumentation, and SEL protective relays is desired. Under general direction, the engineer applies a broad understanding of engineering principles and independently develops approaches to solutions. The role may lead small-to-medium non-critical projects or work on critical projects under the direction of a higher-level engineer or supervisor. It may include providing work direction to other professionals or staff, representing the organization on difficult technical issues, and frequent contact with internal groups and external customers. The position supports technical documentation, project delivery, field activities, procurement, budgeting, estimating, forecasting, and work order management. The selected candidate will be placed at a level commensurate with skills and experience; requirements and salary ranges vary across entry, staff, senior, and principal engineer levels. Xcel Energy supports a hybrid work model. Many roles are expected to work onsite three days per week, Tuesday through Thursday, although expectations vary by role, team, and business needs.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited curriculum; Electrical Engineering is preferred.
Entry level: 0+ years of relevant engineering experience.
Staff level: 2+ years of relevant engineering experience and broad knowledge of the specialty area and related disciplines.
Senior level: 5+ years of relevant engineering experience with EIT/FE, or 7+ years without EIT/FE.
Principal level: 9+ years of relevant engineering experience with PE registration, or 15+ years without PE.
Ability to demonstrate the technical skills and core competencies established for the applicable engineering level.
Working knowledge of PLC platforms such as Allen-Bradley (Rockwell Automation) and/or Modicon (Schneider Electric), including Function Block programming.
For the principal level, PE registration is required with the applicable experience pathway.

Nice To Haves

EIT/FE certification is preferred for entry-level candidates and strongly preferred at the staff level; it is required for the senior-level experience pathway that calls for five or more years of experience.
PE registration may be required for senior-level roles depending on business need.
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, or a related technical discipline.
Experience with Allen-Bradley ControlLogix, CompactLogix, Studio 5000, FactoryTalk, and/or Modicon PLC platforms.
Experience with Function Block programming and industrial automation system development.
Experience developing, configuring, maintaining, and troubleshooting GE Cimplicity HMI/SCADA systems.
Familiarity with industrial networking, including Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP/IP, Modbus RTU, managed switches, VLANs, and network troubleshooting.
Experience with HMI, SCADA, instrumentation, VFDs, and industrial automation systems.
Knowledge of hydraulic and electro-hydraulic control systems.
Experience with SEL protective relays, relay communications, settings management, testing, and troubleshooting.
Experience supporting commissioning, startup, testing, and maintenance of industrial control systems in industrial, utility, hydroelectric, or manufacturing environments.

Responsibilities

Apply engineering standards, principles, theories, concepts, and techniques to assignments involving complex design and coordination requirements.
Support development of technical documentation, including designs, testing materials, calculations, reports, and standards.
Use and assist with developing procedures requiring specialty-area expertise and general knowledge of related disciplines.
Provide ongoing technical support for project activities involving Operations, Maintenance, testing and diagnostics, and Regulatory functions.
Provide field engineering oversight or direction for commissioning, testing, inspections, and related activities as needed.
Lead small-to-medium non-critical projects and coordinate or lead critical projects or portions of projects under the direction of a higher-level engineer or supervisor.
Support project phases including research, design, equipment selection, procurement, installation, and commissioning.
Support bid and evaluation processes, including preparing bid documents, completing technical proposal evaluations, and recommending selections.
Coordinate and communicate with Supply Chain, Legal, internal organizations, and outside customers while following appropriate processes.
Assign tasks and coordinate work of interns, drafters, technicians, craft personnel, or others as needed.
Provide guidance and mentoring to less experienced engineers.
Maintain and develop technical skills and competencies.
Support engineering projects through budgeting, estimating, forecasting, accounting, and work order management.