Substation Commissioning Engineer (Staff, Senior, or Principal)

Xcel Energy•Maple Grove, MN

5d•$81,800 - $178,900•Onsite

About The Position

Substation Commissioning Engineering is a department with opportunities to enhance one’s knowledge of Xcel Energy’s Transmission and Distribution Systems. Our primary focus is to test and commission new equipment installations to ensure proper operation as designed. Successful substation commissioning involves several aspects of system design: substation protection and control, protective relay settings, SCADA, project management, and transmission system operations. Our responsibilities include developing automated tests, hand-on testing in substations, personnel coordination and scheduling, validation of asset information, and providing commissioning results information to other departments to improve future designs and procedures. Applies extensive technical expertise and has an understanding of the basic principles of other related disciplines. Fully demonstrates the unique technical skills and core competencies for this engineering level by applying technical standards, principles, theories, concepts, and techniques to lead projects of moderate to large size, scope and complexity. Largely self-directed work is expected to result in the development of new or improved techniques, procedures and standards. Supports the development of technical documentation (including but not limited to designs, testing, calculations, reports, standards, etc.) Without appreciable direction exercises considerable latitude in determining ongoing technical support for project activities within areas such as Operations, Maintenance, Testing/diagnostics and Regulatory. Provides field engineering oversight and direction for activities such as support, testing, installation, inspections, commissioning etc. Coordinates/leads multiple projects or portions of projects (including phases such as research, design, equipment selection, procurement, installation and commissioning). May lead more critical projects with oversight of a higher-level engineer or supervisor. Represents the organization as the prime technical contact in the bid/evaluation processes including preparation of bid documents, completion of technical evaluations for proposals and providing recommendations for selection. Interacts with senior external personnel on significant technical matters often requiring coordination with internal and external organizations. Effectively and with precision resolves difficult technical/business matters both inter-organizationally and with outside customer/vendors with all formats of communication. May assign tasks to and/or direct engineers, technicians, craft personnel and other support staff including coordination and review of work assignments. Provides guidance and mentoring to less experienced engineers. Responsible for continuous self-development of technical skills and competencies. Leads activities such as budgeting, estimating, forecasting, accounting, work order management, in support of engineering projects.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering from ABET accredited curriculum, electrical engineering degree preferred.
Staff Engineer: 2+ year's relevant engineering experience. Demonstrated broad knowledge & proficiency in specialty area, knowledge of related specialties, & general knowledge of other related disciplines.
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.
Principal Engineer: 9+ years relevant engineering experience with PE (Professional Engineer) registration required; 15+ years relevant engineering experience without PE.
Ability to demonstrate the unique technical skills & core competencies for this engineering level established & documented by the organization.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Test and commission new equipment installations to ensure proper operation as designed.
Develop automated tests.
Perform hand-on testing in substations.
Coordinate and schedule personnel.
Validate asset information.
Provide commissioning results information to other departments to improve future designs and procedures.
Apply technical standards, principles, theories, concepts, and techniques to lead projects of moderate to large size, scope and complexity.
Develop new or improved techniques, procedures and standards.
Support the development of technical documentation (including but not limited to designs, testing, calculations, reports, standards, etc.).
Provide field engineering oversight and direction for activities such as support, testing, installation, inspections, commissioning etc.
Coordinate/lead multiple projects or portions of projects (including phases such as research, design, equipment selection, procurement, installation and commissioning).
Represent the organization as the prime technical contact in the bid/evaluation processes including preparation of bid documents, completion of technical evaluations for proposals and providing recommendations for selection.
Resolve difficult technical/business matters both inter-organizationally and with outside customer/vendors with all formats of communication.
Assign tasks to and/or direct engineers, technicians, craft personnel and other support staff including coordination and review of work assignments.
Provide guidance and mentoring to less experienced engineers.
Lead activities such as budgeting, estimating, forecasting, accounting, work order management, in support of engineering projects.