Transmission Planning Engineer, or Staff, or Senior Engineer

Xcel Energy • Denver, CO

10d • $70,000 - $145,400 • Hybrid

About The Position

Xcel Energy is seeking a Transmission Planning Engineer to perform comprehensive power system planning studies, support regulatory compliance, conduct advanced Inverter-Based Resource (IBR) integration studies, and support regional planning efforts. The role involves performing resource interconnection and transmission service studies, evaluating Grid-Enhancing Technologies (GETs), and contributing to automation and digitalization efforts. The engineer will also be responsible for reporting, regulatory filings, knowledge dissemination, industry engagement, and providing mentorship and technical leadership. This position can be hired at the Entry, Staff, or Senior level, depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications. The role is based in Denver, Colorado, and follows a hybrid work model (3 days per week in the office).

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and/or Physics from ABET accredited curriculum (or recognized equivalency).
• 0+ years relevant engineering experience (Entry Level).
• 2+ years of demonstrated experience (Staff Level).
• 5+ years with nationally recognized certification, 7+ years without certification (Senior Level).
• Experience with at least one power system transmission analysis tool, such as PSSE, TARA, EMS, ASPEN, CAPE, PROMOD, PLEXOS, PowerWorld, PSCAD or other similar analysis software (Staff and Senior Levels).
• Experience with multiple power system transmission analysis tools (Senior Level).
• Demonstrates broad knowledge and proficiency in power systems studies or transmission planning, knowledge of related specialties, and general knowledge of other related disciplines (Staff and Senior Levels).

Nice To Haves

• EIT/FE (Engineer in Training/Fundamentals of Engineering) preferred (Entry Level).
• Graduate degree in fields above preferred (Entry Level).
• Course experience in Introduction to Power Systems (or similar course) preferred (Entry Level).
• Internship experience within power industry (Entry Level).
• EIT/FE (Engineer in Training/Fundamentals of Engineering) strongly preferred (Staff Level).
• Graduate degree in fields above preferred (Staff Level).
• EIT/FE (Engineer in Training/Fundamentals of Engineering and/or PE (Professional Engineer) registration (Senior Level).
• Graduate degree in fields above (Senior Level).
• PE (Professional Engineer) registration (Senior Level).

Responsibilities

• Perform Comprehensive Power System Planning Studies, including Steady-State Load Flow Analysis, Short-Circuit and Protection Coordination Studies, Dynamic Performance Assessments, Electromagnetic Transient (EMT) Analysis, and Geomagnetic Induced Current (GIC) Studies.
• Support Regulatory Compliance and Model Validation Activities, including NERC TPL-001-5.1 compliance assessments and dynamic model validation efforts.
• Conduct Advanced Inverter-Based Resource (IBR) Integration Studies, assessing grid-forming/grid-following inverter technologies and applying IEEE 2800 requirements.
• Support Western Interconnection and Regional Planning by coordinating with relevant committees and working groups.
• Perform Resource Interconnection and Transmission Service Studies, executing System Impact Studies (SIS) and Facility Studies.
• Evaluate Grid-Enhancing Technologies (GETs), analyzing and modeling Dynamic Line Rating (DLR), Advanced Power Flow Controllers (APFC), and Topology Optimization (TTO).
• Contribute to Automation and Digitalization by developing and maintaining Python-based automation tools and advancing digital workflows.
• Author and deliver technical reports, regulatory filings, and executive summaries.
• Represent Xcel Energy in NERC working groups, IEEE technical committees, WECC Model Validation Working Group, and other industry task forces.
• Mentor engineers, interns, and analysts on advanced simulation methodologies and emerging grid technologies.
• Provide technical leadership to internal teams and support the development of capital budgets and conceptual transmission projects.

Benefits

• Annual Incentive Program
• Medical/Pharmacy Plan
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance
• Dependent Care Reimbursement Account
• Health Care Reimbursement Account
• Health Savings Account (HSA) (if enrolled in eligible health plan)
• Limited-Purpose FSA (if enrolled in eligible health plan and HSA)
• Transportation Reimbursement Account
• Short-term disability (STD)
• Long-term disability (LTD)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Fitness Center Reimbursement (if enrolled in eligible health plan)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Transit programs
• Employee recognition program
• Pension
• 401(k) plan
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Holidays
• Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO)
• Parental Leave

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level