Wildfire Engineering Intern- CO, TX

Xcel Energy•Amarillo, TX

1d•$21 - $25•Hybrid

About The Position

The Wildfire Distribution Engineering Intern will support Xcel Energy's Wildfire Project Engineering team in developing and implementing programs designed to reduce wildfire risk and improve electric system reliability. This position offers hands-on experience working alongside engineers, analysts, and project managers on initiatives involving electric distribution protection, grid hardening, wildfire risk mitigation, GIS analysis, system modeling, and utility operations. The intern will gain exposure to real-world engineering challenges while contributing to projects that enhance the safety, reliability, and resiliency of the electric distribution system. Positions may be based at the Mesa Operations Center (Grand Junction, CO), Summit County Service Center (Silverthorne, CO), Lipan Distribution Center (Denver, CO), or Amarillo Tower (Amarillo, TX).

Requirements

Current student, Sophomore or higher (as of Fall 2027)
Enrolled in an ABET accredited college or university and pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Able to work full-time during the summer (up to 40 hours a week)/ part time during the school year (up to 20 hours a week) and commuting to the designated work location in-person, per our hybrid work policy.

Nice To Haves

Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above preferred.
Demonstrated analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills with the Ability to interpret technical data.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
Ability to communicate technical information effectively through written reports and presentations.
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
Interest in electric utility operations, power systems, wildfire mitigation, grid resiliency, or related engineering disciplines.

Responsibilities

Support the engineering and implementation of Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS) and other wildfire mitigation programs designed to reduce ignition risk and improve system resiliency.
Assist in the development and enhancement of the Distribution System Digital Twin, integrating operational, asset, and risk data to support engineering analysis and decision-making.
Research and evaluate emerging technologies, industry best practices, and innovative engineering methods that can further reduce wildfire risk and improve distribution system performance.
Participate in the investigation and analysis of wildfire ignition events, outages, and operational data to identify root causes, lessons learned, and opportunities for continuous program improvement.