Transmission Planning Senior Engineer

Xcel Energy•Minneapolis, MN

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This role is within the Integrated Planning Delivery team and will be focused on understanding the current state of planning processes and driving toward integration through tools and automation. The engineer will collaboratively set assumptions and perform integrated technical analysis as a transmission planning subject matter expert to develop new insights, recommendations, and reports to support business decisions and major initiatives. In this role, the engineer will be expected to communicate technical concepts effectively, using appropriate data visualization. Applies extensive technical expertise and has full knowledge of other related disciplines. Performs as a staff advisor and consultant in a technical specialty, a type of facility or equipment, or a program function. Carries out complex or innovative assignments requiring the development of new or improved techniques and procedures. Work is expected to result in the development of new/improved techniques and procedures or new/refined equipment, materials, processes, products, and/or scientific methods. Represents the organization as the prime technical contact on contracts and projects and interacts with senior external personnel on significant technical matters often requiring coordination between organizations. Work is performed without appreciable direction and considerable latitude is exercised in determining technical objectives of assignment. Guidance relates largely to overall objectives, critical issues, new concepts and policy matters. Completed work is reviewed from a relatively long-term perspective, for desired results. May assign tasks to and direct engineers, technicians, craft personnel and administrative staff, including coordination and review of work assignments. Responsible for (and may lead) multiple projects of moderate to large size or portions of major projects. This role requires a balance of technical acumen and strong communication skills, as the senior engineer will need to convey technical concepts clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Communication will occur in various formats, including in-person meetings, virtual discussions, presentations to leadership, and written reports.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering and/or Physics from ABET accredited curriculum (or recognized equivalency).
5+ years with nationally recognized certification, 7+ years without certification.
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 and/or PE (Professional Engineer) registration.
Graduate degree in fields above.

Responsibilities

Leads and performs modeling and analysis activities for steady state and stability simulations
Develops scopes for studies to guide long-range transmission system plans and coordinates with other Integrated System Planning departments to ensure assumptions align across subdisciplines
Effectively communicates the results of studies and department endeavors to a wide range of audiences through written and verbal means
Improves Integrated System Planning procedures and techniques through largely self-directed work.
Resolves difficult technical and business problems
Implements, without substantial direction, NERC and FERC compliance activities as an SME. Activities are coordinated through the Integrated Planning department and with external entities
Assigns tasks to lower-level engineers, interns and technicians.
Mentors and provides training materials for less experienced engineers to ensure group development