System Protection Engineering Intern

Xcel Energy•Denver, CO

2d•$21 - $30•Hybrid

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. Project Description: Work with the System Protection Engineering staff to support modeling of electric power system and performing simple short circuit studies to assist engineers. Additional tasks include analyzing lightning data for event outages, shadowing engineer in day-to-day task, and learning how to test equipment in laboratory. Typical intern responsibilities may include but are not limited to: Support in event analysis for outages by analyzing lightning correlation Short circuit modeling tasks for new assets, retired equipment processing, and distribution and transmission equipment modeling. Support laboratory testing of relays for firmware updates and protection scheme verification. Perform short-circuit coordination for distribution feeder relays using short circuit software and coordination module Assist in management of protective relay database, including running of queries and verifying materials returned from the field This position is for a June 1, 2026 start date. This position may have the possibility to extend beyond the internship’s initial term based on the candidate’s successful performance and Xcel Energy’s business needs.

Requirements

Current student, Sophomore status (as of May 2026) or higher
Enrolled in an ABET accredited college or university and pursuing a degree in engineering (electrical, mechanical, civil, or chemical)
Able to commute to the corporate office in Denver, CO.
Able to work full-time during the summer (up to 40 hours a week). If the interns have proven that they are able to be productive or effective working remotely without supervision, then we can allow part time (min 8 hours/week) from home in the Fall 2026 semester and onwards. We will still require full-time every summer (40 hours/week) as hybrid in office on Tuesday-Thursdays.

Nice To Haves

2.8 GPA (out of a 4.0 scale) or higher
Completed 1 year of undergraduate coursework, including classes in basic circuits
Experience and proficiency in spreadsheets.

Responsibilities

Support in event analysis for outages by analyzing lightning correlation
Short circuit modeling tasks for new assets, retired equipment processing, and distribution and transmission equipment modeling.
Support laboratory testing of relays for firmware updates and protection scheme verification.
Perform short-circuit coordination for distribution feeder relays using short circuit software and coordination module
Assist in management of protective relay database, including running of queries and verifying materials returned from the field