Transmission Planning Engineer, or Staff, or Senior Engineer

Xcel Energy•Denver, CO

7d•$70,000 - $129,266•Hybrid

About The Position

This position can be hired at the Entry, Staff, or Senior level, depending on the candidates' overall experience, qualifications, and interview. This position will be based in Denver, Colorado on a hybrid (3 days per week in the office) work schedule. The role involves performing comprehensive power system planning studies, supporting regulatory compliance, conducting advanced inverter-based resource integration studies, supporting Western Interconnection and regional planning, performing resource interconnection and transmission service studies, evaluating grid-enhancing technologies, developing automation and digital workflows, authoring technical reports, representing Xcel Energy in industry groups, and mentoring other engineers. The company is a leading combination electricity and natural gas energy company serving millions of customers across eight states.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and/or Physics from ABET accredited curriculum (or recognized equivalency).
0+ years relevant engineering experience (for Entry Level).
2+ years of demonstrated experience (for Staff Level).
5+ years with nationally recognized certification, 7+ years without certification (for 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 (for Staff and Senior Levels).
Demonstrates broad knowledge and proficiency in power systems studies or transmission planning, knowledge of related specialties, and general knowledge of other related disciplines (for Staff and Senior Levels).
Balance of technical acumen and strong communication skills to convey technical concepts clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

EIT/FE (Engineer in Training/Fundamentals of Engineering) preferred (for Entry Level).
Graduate degree in fields above preferred (for Entry Level).
Course experience in Introduction to Power Systems (or similar course) preferred (for Entry Level).
Internship experience within power industry (for Entry Level).
EIT/FE (Engineer in Training/Fundamentals of Engineering) strongly preferred (for Staff Level).
Graduate degree in fields above preferred (for Staff Level).
EIT/FE (Engineer in Training/Fundamentals of Engineering and/or PE (Professional Engineer) registration (for Senior Level).
Graduate degree in fields above (for Senior Level).
PE (Professional Engineer) registration (for 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 their impact on system strength and behavior.
Support Western Interconnection and Regional Planning by coordinating with relevant committees and working groups.
Perform Resource Interconnection and Transmission Service Studies, consistent with FERC Order 2023 and regional tariffs.
Evaluate Grid-Enhancing Technologies (GETs) such as Dynamic Line Rating (DLR), Advanced Power Flow Controllers (APFC), and Topology Optimization (TTO).
Develop and maintain Python-based automation tools to streamline study execution and results post-processing.
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, fostering expertise development.
Support development of capital budgets, conceptual transmission projects, and economic analyses.