Transmission Planning Engineer (Principal, Senior, Staff, or Entry)

Xcel Energy•Denver, CO

2d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is for a Transmission Planning Engineer at Xcel Energy, viewed as a technical engineer or subject matter expert in power systems modeling and analysis and/or transmission planning. The role involves applying advanced theories, concepts, principles, and processes, and contributing to the development of new principles. Problems are complex, difficult to define, and require unconventional or innovative approaches and sophisticated research techniques. The engineer will be responsible for major projects or several complex projects of moderate to large scope, serving as an organization spokesperson on advanced projects and advising management and customers on technical research studies and applications. This role requires maintaining external contacts, working under consultative direction, and often initiating assignments. Work is checked through consultation rather than formal review. The engineer may provide work direction for a team and lead multiple critical and/or complex projects. A balance of technical acumen and strong communication skills is essential for conveying technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders in various formats. The role also involves supporting and providing testimony in state regulatory processes and contributing to the strategic direction for transmission system plans.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering and/or Physics from ABET accredited curriculum (or recognized equivalency), electrical engineering degree preferred.
Principal Engineer: 9 + years of demonstrated experience with PE (Professional Engineer) registration, 15+ years of demonstrated experience without PE (Professional Engineer) registration.
Senior Engineer: 5+ years with nationally recognized certification, 7+ years without certification.
Staff Engineer: 2+ years of demonstrated experience.
Entry Engineer: 0+ years relevant engineering experience.
Experience with multiple power system transmission analysis tools, such as PSSE, TARA, EMS, ASPEN, CAPE, PROMOD, PLEXOS, PowerWorld, PSCAD or other similar analysis software.
Demonstrates broad knowledge and proficiency in power systems studies or transmission planning, knowledge of related specialties, and general knowledge of other related disciplines.

Nice To Haves

EIT/FE (Engineer in Training/Fundamentals of Engineering) and/or PE (Professional Engineer) registration preferred.
Graduate degree in fields above preferred.
Course experience in Introduction to Power Systems (or similar course) preferred.
Internship experience within power industry.
Have completed a power systems analysis class and preferably hold advanced degrees.

Responsibilities

Directs and runs power system studies.
Leads multiple complex projects simultaneously.
Develops scopes for complex studies to guide long-range transmission system plans.
Coordinates with other Integrated System Planning departments to ensure processes align across subdisciplines.
Serves as a spokesperson within the Integrated System Planning group.
Acts as an advisor to management.
Helps with workflow management within the department.
Works as an established SME for modeling and analysis processes, procedures, and standards compliance.
Contributes to integrated modeling and analysis methods across the generation/transmission and transmission/distribution boundaries.
Support and provide testimony in state regulatory processes.
Provide strategic direction for transmission system plans.