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

Xcel Energy•Minneapolis, MN

3d•$70,000 - $156,600•Onsite

About The Position

This position is part of the Public Service Company of Colorado (PSCo) Transmission Planning Team, a highly respected and technically advanced group responsible for shaping the future of the electric grid across Colorado and the broader Western Interconnection. The team is engaged in some of the industry's most challenging and high-impact transmission planning initiatives, working at the intersection of reliability, system development, policy, and innovation. As a member of this team, you will have the opportunity to work on a diverse portfolio of projects that span traditional transmission expansion, advanced grid technologies, large-load integration, renewable energy integration, and next-generation power system planning. Current initiatives include DOE-funded and DOE-supported grid modernization efforts, advanced transmission technology deployments, interregional transmission development, HVDC modernization studies, Grid Enhancing Technologies (GETs), Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS), and system-wide transmission expansion planning. The team is actively evaluating innovative solutions that will help shape the future of the North American electric grid and sits in drafting and advisory roles in multiple NERC and WECC committees. The PSCo Transmission Planning Team is widely recognized for its strength in power system dynamics, transient stability analysis, and electromagnetic transient (EMT) studies. Engineers on the team work with industry-leading tools and methodologies to evaluate complex interactions between inverter-based resources, large loads, transmission technologies, and emerging grid architectures. The team also participates in industry forums, technical working groups, and the development of industry guidance related to emerging reliability challenges. Beyond technical studies, the role provides unique exposure to the broader utility business. Engineers frequently collaborate with operations, regulatory, resource planning, market, protection, and engineering organizations. Depending on experience and interests, candidates may also have opportunities to support regulatory filings, provide technical analyses for state and federal proceedings, develop testimony, and engage directly with stakeholders, consultants, regulators, and industry organizations. This is an exceptional opportunity for professionals who want to solve technically complex problems, contribute to industry-leading work, gain visibility across the utility sector, and help define how the grid evolves to meet future reliability, decarbonization, electrification, and large-load growth challenges. The work performed by this team is helping establish practices and frameworks that are influencing transmission planning discussions well beyond Colorado. This is more than a traditional transmission planning role. It is an opportunity to help design and influence the future electric grid while working alongside some of the industry's most experienced and innovative and expert engineers. The job summary below and responsibilities reflect the entry engineer level role. The successfully chosen candidate will be placed at a level that is commensurate with their skills and experience as different skills and/or experience will be required at the staff, senior and principal engineer levels.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

EIT/FE (Engineer in Training/Fundamentals of Engineering) strongly preferred (for Staff Engineer Level).
EIT/FE (Engineer in Training/Fundamentals of Engineering) preferred (for Entry Engineer Level).
EIT/FE (Engineer in Training/Fundamentals of Engineering and/or PE (Professional Engineer) registration preferred (for Principal and Senior Engineer Levels).
Graduate degree in fields above preferred (for all levels).
PE (Professional Engineer) registration preferred (for Principal Engineer).
Have completed a power systems analysis class and preferably hold advanced degrees.

Responsibilities

Directs and runs power system studies. This engineer can expect many complex and interdisciplinary issues to be within their scope of work. Will lead multiple complex projects simultaneously.
Develops scopes for complex studies to guide long-range transmission system plans and coordinates with other Integrated System Planning departments to ensure processes align across subdisciplines.
General work is self-directed and should be self-initiated. Work and analysis will generally have wide-ranging ramifications to the business.
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. Will contribute to integrated modeling and analysis methods across the generation/transmission and transmission/distribution boundaries.
Support and provide testimony in state regulatory processes and strategic direction for transmission system plans