Principal Engineer - Battery Energy Storage and Grid Integration

Xcel Energy•Henderson, CO

About The Position

This role supports new project commissioning and existing fleet-wide performance by capturing operational lessons learned and translating them into standardized design requirements, control strategies, and operational best practices. The engineer works cross-functionally with Operations, SCADA, Engineering Teams, OEMs, and system operators to resolve early-life issues, align plant behavior with interconnection requirements and market demands, and ensure new projects are delivered on-time with consistency. This position also leads efforts to optimize battery performance and minimize degradation while considering operational and market obligations. Key responsibilities include commissioning support, fault troubleshooting, performance monitoring, and lifecycle strategy definition. In addition, the role supports alignment between plant controls and grid/interconnection models by working with internal and external stakeholders to verify key assumptions such power conversion skid parameterization, voltage control behavior, and reactive power capability. Candidates will help identify and resolve gaps between modeled and actual plant response, particularly as new projects are commissioned and existing assets are updated. While prior experience with grid modeling tools or interconnection studies is beneficial, this role also provides the opportunity to develop deeper expertise in this area through close collaboration with planning, compliance, and modeling teams. The role requires strong technical expertise in inverter-based resources, control systems, and grid integration, along with the ability to influence standards and drive continuous improvement across a growing renewable fleet.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering from ABET accredited
2+ year's relevant engineering experience (Staff Engineer)
Demonstrated broad knowledge & proficiency in specialty area, knowledge of related specialties, & general knowledge of other related disciplines.
Ability to demonstrate the unique technical skills & core competencies for this engineering level established & documented by the organization.
EIT/FE (Engineer in Training/Fundamentals of Engineering) strongly preferred (Staff Engineer)
Bachelor’s degree in engineering from ABET accredited curriculum, electrical engineering degree preferred or mechanical engineering degree with relevant engineering experience (Senior Engineer)
5+ years relevant engineering experience with EIT/FE (Engineer in Training/Fundamentals of Engineering) required; 7+ years relevant engineering experience without EIT/FE (Senior Engineer)
Ability to demonstrate the unique technical skills and core competencies for this engineering level established & documented by the organization (Senior Engineer)
Preferred PE (Professional Engineer) registration may be required depending on business need (Senior Engineer)
Bachelor’s degree in engineering from ABET accredited curriculum, electrical engineering degree preferred or mechanical engineering degree with relevant engineering experience (Principal Engineer)
9+ years relevant engineering experience with PE (Professional Engineer) registration required; 15+ years relevant engineering experience without PE (Principal Engineer)
Ability to demonstrate the unique technical skills and core competencies for this engineering level established & documented by the organization (Principal Engineer)

Nice To Haves

Experience developing or applying operational strategies for battery degradation management
Familiarity with OEM BESS systems (e.g., Sungrow, Tesla, or similar)
Experience with AC coupled hybrid systems and multi-power plant control strategies
Experience with commissioning processes, performance testing, and root cause analysis
Familiarity with grid modeling terminology and software (e.g. PSSE, PSCAD, PSLF)
Knowledge of interconnection, NERC requirements

Responsibilities

Uses & applies technical standards, principles, theories, concepts, & techniques to perform activities/assignments that may include a variety of complex features such as conflicting design requirements, unsuitability of conventional materials or methods & difficult coordination requirements.
Supports the development of technical documentation (including but not limited to designs, testing, calculations, reports, standards, etc.)
Utilizes & may assist with the development of procedures requiring a broad knowledge & proficiency in a specialty area & has a general knowledge of related disciplines.
Works under the general direction of a higher level engineer or supervisor for routine engineering projects.
Provide ongoing technical support for project activities within areas such as Operations, Maintenance, testing/diagnostics & Regulatory.
May provide field engineering oversight &/or direction for activities such as commissioning, testing, inspections, etc.
May lead small-medium, non-critical projects.
Coordinate/leads critical projects or portions of projects (including phases such as research, design, equipment selection, procurement support, installation & commissioning), under the direction of a higher level engineer or supervisor.
Work reviewed upon completion for adequacy in meeting objectives.
Under the direction of a higher level engineer/supervisor supports bid/evaluation processes including preparation of bid documents, completion of technical evaluations for proposals; provide recommendations for selection, etc.
Partners & communicates with areas such as Supply Chain & Legal following appropriate processes.
Frequently exchanges information in all formats, on matters having a wide range of importance & complexity both inter-organizationally & with outside customers.
May assign tasks & coordinate work of interns, drafters, technicians, craft personnel &/or others.
Provide guidance & mentoring to less experienced engineers.
Responsible for continuous self-development of technical skills & competencies.
Performs activities such as budgeting, estimating, forecasting, accounting, work order management, in support of engineering projects.