Xcel Energy
Transmission Planning Engineer (Entry, Staff, Senior or Principal Level)
Xcel Energy, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, 55400
Transmission Planning Engineer (Entry, Staff, Senior or Principal Level)
Join Xcel Energy as a Transmission Planning Engineer at Denver, Colorado or Minneapolis, Minnesota, on a hybrid schedule (3 days per week in the office).
Key Job Performance Criteria
Steady-State Load Flow Analysis under normal and contingency conditions (N-1, N-1-1, and extreme events) to identify system limitations and develop mitigation strategies.
Short-Circuit and Protection Coordination Studies to ensure appropriate equipment ratings, relay coordination, and breaker duty compliance, including assessments for system modifications and new interconnections.
Dynamic Performance Assessments, including Transient Stability and Small-Signal Stability Studies to evaluate rotor angle stability, voltage recovery, and oscillatory damping performance under a wide range of system disturbances.
Electromagnetic Transient (EMT) Analysis for evaluating control interactions and fast dynamic phenomena associated with large power electronic loads, inverter-based resources, and FACTS devices, leveraging PSCAD/EMTDC.
Geomagnetic Induced Current (GIC) Studies aligned with NERC TPL-007 standards to assess geomagnetic disturbance impacts on transformers and bulk electric system reliability.
Support Regulatory Compliance And Model Validation Activities
Perform NERC TPL-001-5.1 compliance assessments, including extreme event analyses such as CIP-014 physical security risk assessments, wide-area event simulations, and black start restoration studies.
Support dynamic model validation efforts per WECC and NERC MOD standards, ensuring fidelity of generator, inverter, and composite load models for stability studies.
Conduct Advanced Inverter-Based Resource (IBR) Integration Studies
Assess grid-forming/grid-following inverter technologies and their impact on system strength, transient behavior, and control interactions.
Apply IEEE 2800 requirements for IBR performance, including ride‑through, reactive power support, and fast frequency response capabilities.
Address challenges of high renewable penetration and develop mitigation strategies to maintain bulk power system reliability.
Support Western Interconnection And Regional Planning
Coordinate with WestConnect Planning Management Committee, WECC Reliability Subcommittees, and interconnection working groups to support transmission expansion planning, regional policy compliance, and reliability initiatives.
Engage in regional and subregional transmission planning processes, contributing to multi‑utility studies and cross-border resource integration scenarios.
Perform Resource Interconnection And Transmission Service Studies
Execute System Impact Studies (SIS) and Facility Studies consistent with FERC Order 2023 and regional tariffs.
Evaluate interconnection requests for conventional generation, IBRs, storage, hybrid resources, and emerging technologies such as microgrids and aggregated DERs under FERC 2222 frameworks.
Recommend necessary transmission reinforcements, upgrades, or operational solutions to accommodate new resources and loads.
Evaluate Grid-Enhancing Technologies (GETs)
Analyze and model Dynamic Line Rating (DLR), Advanced Power Flow Controllers (APFC), and Topology Optimization (TTO) to maximize transmission efficiency and capacity without traditional infrastructure expansion.
Support cost‑benefit assessments and pilot project implementations for GETs in collaboration with operations and asset management teams.
Automation And Digitalization
Develop and maintain Python‑based automation tools to streamline study execution, scenario management, and results post‑processing for PSSE, PSLF, TARA, TSAT, PSCAD simulations.
Advance digital workflows to reduce engineering effort, improve repeatability, and enable high‑volume interconnection and compliance studies.
Reporting, Regulatory Filings, And Knowledge Dissemination
Author and deliver technical reports, regulatory filings, and executive summaries for internal leadership and external regulatory agencies.
Present findings at regional stakeholder meetings, industry conferences, and technical workshops to communicate planning approaches and emerging challenges.
Industry Engagement And Representation
Represent Xcel Energy in NERC working groups, IEEE technical committees, WECC Model Validation Working Group, WestConnect Planning forums, and other industry task forces focused on dynamic performance, renewable integration, and bulk power system reliability.
Mentorship And Technical Leadership
Mentor engineers, interns, and analysts on advanced simulation methodologies, IBR modeling, EMT techniques, and emerging grid technologies.
Provide technical leadership to internal teams, fostering expertise development in grid dynamics, automation, and planning best practices.
Lead internal technical workshops and contribute to the development of best‑in‑class planning documentation and standards.
Support development of capital budgets, conceptual transmission projects, and economic analyses in joint planning contexts.
Position Summary: Entry Level Annual Base Salary $68,300 – $86,500.
This entry‑level position develops technical expertise in transmission planning and power systems simulations. The Engineer performs work that involves conventional plans, investigations, studies, or modeling equipment with relatively few complex features and for which there are precedents. Activities are of limited scope requiring knowledge of principles and techniques commonly employed in power systems engineering. The Engineer works under the guidance of more senior engineers, learning the intricacies of planning and modeling tools used for system evaluations and contributing to large system studies that span multiple years into the future. As proficiency is gained, may work on portions of larger projects.
Essential Responsibilities
Under the direction of higher‑level engineer: perform model development, modeling reviews, design, and analysis of Xcel Energy assets using PSSE, PSLF, TARA, DSA Tools or similar software.
Develop study documentation and may assist with the development of procedures.
Develop technical skillsets.
Coordinate the work of interns and technicians.
Explore or implement new processes to improve the Integrated System Planning department's ability to perform its tasks.
Minimum Requirements
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and/or Physics from an ABET accredited curriculum (or recognized equivalency).
0+ years relevant engineering experience.
EIT/FE preferred.
Graduate degree in the fields above preferred.
Course experience in Introduction to Power Systems preferred.
Internship experience within the power industry.
Position Summary: Staff Annual Base Salary $79,800 – $103,666.
Working under general direction, demonstrates complete understanding and wide application of power systems engineering technical principles, theories, and concepts. Independently determines and develops approaches to solutions. Receives technical guidance on complex problems; completed work reviewed for adequacy in meeting objectives. May lead small/medium projects or implement critical projects under direction of higher‑level engineer or supervisor. May provide work direction to other professionals and/or staff.
Essential Responsibilities
Scope and/or perform power system simulations to evaluate reliability. Work is checked by a higher‑level engineer or manager.
Develop study documentation and may assist with the development of procedures.
Support and maintain compliance with NERC and FERC standards through evidence development.
Construct information and data to be exchanged with other Integrated System Planning groups and external entities.
Power systems studies engineer: coordinate model development activities to ensure all metrics of RTO/RE and internal criteria are met.
Transmission planning engineer: develop simple scopes of work to guide long‑range transmission system plans.
Minimum Requirements
Bachelor's degree in Engineering and/or Physics from an ABET accredited curriculum (or recognized equivalency).
2+ years of demonstrated experience.
Experience with at least one power system transmission analysis tool (e.g., PSSE, TARA, EMS, ASPEN, CAPE, PROMOD, PLEXOS, PowerWorld, PSCAD).
Demonstrates broad knowledge and proficiency in power systems studies or transmission planning, knowledge of related specialties, and general knowledge of other related disciplines.
EIT/FE strongly preferred.
Graduate degree in the fields above preferred.
Position Summary: Senior Annual Base Salary $94,600 – $126,134.
Applies extensive technical expertise and has full knowledge of other related disciplines. Performs as a staff advisor and consultant in a technical specialty. Carries out complex or innovative assignments requiring the development of new or improved techniques and procedures.
Essential Responsibilities
Power systems studies engineer: lead and perform modeling and analysis activities for steady state and stability simulations.
Transmission planning engineer: develop scopes for studies to guide long‑range transmission system plans and coordinate with other Integrated System Planning departments to ensure assumptions align across subdisciplines.
Effectively communicate the results of studies and department endeavors to a wide range of audiences through written and verbal means.
Improve Integrated System Planning procedures and techniques through largely self‑directed work; resolve difficult technical and business problems.
Implement, without substantial direction, NERC and FERC compliance activities as an SME; activities are coordinated through the Integrated System Planning department and with external entities.
Assign tasks to lower‑level engineers, interns and technicians; mentor and provide training materials for less experienced engineers to ensure group development.
Minimum Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering and/or Physics from an ABET accredited curriculum (or recognized equivalency).
5+ years with nationally recognized certification (or 7+ years without certification).
Experience with multiple power system transmission analysis tools.
EIT/FE and/or PE registration preferred.
Graduate degree in the fields above preferred.
Position Summary: Principal Annual Base Salary $109,300 – $152,766.
Serves as the technical engineer or subject‑matter expert for the organization in power systems modeling and analysis and/or transmission planning. Responsible for major projects or several complex projects of moderate to large scope.
Essential Responsibilities
Power systems studies engineer: direct and run power system studies, leading multiple complex projects simultaneously.
Transmission planning engineer: develop scopes for complex studies to guide long‑range transmission system plans and coordinate with other Integrated System Planning departments to ensure processes align across subdisciplines.
Serve as a spokesperson within the Integrated System Planning group.
Act as an advisor to management and support workflow management within the department.
Provide testimony in state regulatory processes and strategic direction for transmission system plans.
Minimum Requirements
Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering and/or Physics from an ABET accredited curriculum (or recognized equivalency).
9+ years of demonstrated experience with PE registration, or 15+ years of experience without PE registration.
Experience with multiple power system transmission analysis tools.
EIT/FE and/or PE registration preferred.
Graduate degree in the fields above preferred.
PE registration preferred.
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor or Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from an ABET accredited institution or recognized equivalency.
Electrical power transmission planning engineering experience.
EIT / FE / PE certification.
About Xcel Energy As a leading combination electricity and natural gas energy company, Xcel Energy offers a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related products and services to 3.4 million electricity and 1.9 million natural gas customers across eight Western and Midwestern states. We invite you to join our team.
Equal Opportunity Statement All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. Individuals with a disability who need an accommodation to apply please contact us at recruiting@xcelenergy.com.
Accessibility Statement Xcel Energy endeavors to make https://www.xcelenergy.com/ accessible to any and all users. For assistance completing the application process, contact Xcel Energy Talent Acquisition at recruiting@xcelenergy.com. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.
Benefits Annual Incentive Program, Medical/Pharmacy Plan, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Dependent Care Reimbursement Account, Health Care Reimbursement Account, Health Savings Account, Limited-Purpose FSA, Transportation Reimbursement Account, Short‑term disability, Long‑term disability, Employee Assistance Program, Fitness Center Reimbursement, Tuition reimbursement, Transit programs, Employee recognition program, Pension, 401(k) plan, Paid time off, Holidays, Volunteer Paid Time Off, Parental Leave.
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Key Job Performance Criteria
Steady-State Load Flow Analysis under normal and contingency conditions (N-1, N-1-1, and extreme events) to identify system limitations and develop mitigation strategies.
Short-Circuit and Protection Coordination Studies to ensure appropriate equipment ratings, relay coordination, and breaker duty compliance, including assessments for system modifications and new interconnections.
Dynamic Performance Assessments, including Transient Stability and Small-Signal Stability Studies to evaluate rotor angle stability, voltage recovery, and oscillatory damping performance under a wide range of system disturbances.
Electromagnetic Transient (EMT) Analysis for evaluating control interactions and fast dynamic phenomena associated with large power electronic loads, inverter-based resources, and FACTS devices, leveraging PSCAD/EMTDC.
Geomagnetic Induced Current (GIC) Studies aligned with NERC TPL-007 standards to assess geomagnetic disturbance impacts on transformers and bulk electric system reliability.
Support Regulatory Compliance And Model Validation Activities
Perform NERC TPL-001-5.1 compliance assessments, including extreme event analyses such as CIP-014 physical security risk assessments, wide-area event simulations, and black start restoration studies.
Support dynamic model validation efforts per WECC and NERC MOD standards, ensuring fidelity of generator, inverter, and composite load models for stability studies.
Conduct Advanced Inverter-Based Resource (IBR) Integration Studies
Assess grid-forming/grid-following inverter technologies and their impact on system strength, transient behavior, and control interactions.
Apply IEEE 2800 requirements for IBR performance, including ride‑through, reactive power support, and fast frequency response capabilities.
Address challenges of high renewable penetration and develop mitigation strategies to maintain bulk power system reliability.
Support Western Interconnection And Regional Planning
Coordinate with WestConnect Planning Management Committee, WECC Reliability Subcommittees, and interconnection working groups to support transmission expansion planning, regional policy compliance, and reliability initiatives.
Engage in regional and subregional transmission planning processes, contributing to multi‑utility studies and cross-border resource integration scenarios.
Perform Resource Interconnection And Transmission Service Studies
Execute System Impact Studies (SIS) and Facility Studies consistent with FERC Order 2023 and regional tariffs.
Evaluate interconnection requests for conventional generation, IBRs, storage, hybrid resources, and emerging technologies such as microgrids and aggregated DERs under FERC 2222 frameworks.
Recommend necessary transmission reinforcements, upgrades, or operational solutions to accommodate new resources and loads.
Evaluate Grid-Enhancing Technologies (GETs)
Analyze and model Dynamic Line Rating (DLR), Advanced Power Flow Controllers (APFC), and Topology Optimization (TTO) to maximize transmission efficiency and capacity without traditional infrastructure expansion.
Support cost‑benefit assessments and pilot project implementations for GETs in collaboration with operations and asset management teams.
Automation And Digitalization
Develop and maintain Python‑based automation tools to streamline study execution, scenario management, and results post‑processing for PSSE, PSLF, TARA, TSAT, PSCAD simulations.
Advance digital workflows to reduce engineering effort, improve repeatability, and enable high‑volume interconnection and compliance studies.
Reporting, Regulatory Filings, And Knowledge Dissemination
Author and deliver technical reports, regulatory filings, and executive summaries for internal leadership and external regulatory agencies.
Present findings at regional stakeholder meetings, industry conferences, and technical workshops to communicate planning approaches and emerging challenges.
Industry Engagement And Representation
Represent Xcel Energy in NERC working groups, IEEE technical committees, WECC Model Validation Working Group, WestConnect Planning forums, and other industry task forces focused on dynamic performance, renewable integration, and bulk power system reliability.
Mentorship And Technical Leadership
Mentor engineers, interns, and analysts on advanced simulation methodologies, IBR modeling, EMT techniques, and emerging grid technologies.
Provide technical leadership to internal teams, fostering expertise development in grid dynamics, automation, and planning best practices.
Lead internal technical workshops and contribute to the development of best‑in‑class planning documentation and standards.
Support development of capital budgets, conceptual transmission projects, and economic analyses in joint planning contexts.
Position Summary: Entry Level Annual Base Salary $68,300 – $86,500.
This entry‑level position develops technical expertise in transmission planning and power systems simulations. The Engineer performs work that involves conventional plans, investigations, studies, or modeling equipment with relatively few complex features and for which there are precedents. Activities are of limited scope requiring knowledge of principles and techniques commonly employed in power systems engineering. The Engineer works under the guidance of more senior engineers, learning the intricacies of planning and modeling tools used for system evaluations and contributing to large system studies that span multiple years into the future. As proficiency is gained, may work on portions of larger projects.
Essential Responsibilities
Under the direction of higher‑level engineer: perform model development, modeling reviews, design, and analysis of Xcel Energy assets using PSSE, PSLF, TARA, DSA Tools or similar software.
Develop study documentation and may assist with the development of procedures.
Develop technical skillsets.
Coordinate the work of interns and technicians.
Explore or implement new processes to improve the Integrated System Planning department's ability to perform its tasks.
Minimum Requirements
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and/or Physics from an ABET accredited curriculum (or recognized equivalency).
0+ years relevant engineering experience.
EIT/FE preferred.
Graduate degree in the fields above preferred.
Course experience in Introduction to Power Systems preferred.
Internship experience within the power industry.
Position Summary: Staff Annual Base Salary $79,800 – $103,666.
Working under general direction, demonstrates complete understanding and wide application of power systems engineering technical principles, theories, and concepts. Independently determines and develops approaches to solutions. Receives technical guidance on complex problems; completed work reviewed for adequacy in meeting objectives. May lead small/medium projects or implement critical projects under direction of higher‑level engineer or supervisor. May provide work direction to other professionals and/or staff.
Essential Responsibilities
Scope and/or perform power system simulations to evaluate reliability. Work is checked by a higher‑level engineer or manager.
Develop study documentation and may assist with the development of procedures.
Support and maintain compliance with NERC and FERC standards through evidence development.
Construct information and data to be exchanged with other Integrated System Planning groups and external entities.
Power systems studies engineer: coordinate model development activities to ensure all metrics of RTO/RE and internal criteria are met.
Transmission planning engineer: develop simple scopes of work to guide long‑range transmission system plans.
Minimum Requirements
Bachelor's degree in Engineering and/or Physics from an ABET accredited curriculum (or recognized equivalency).
2+ years of demonstrated experience.
Experience with at least one power system transmission analysis tool (e.g., PSSE, TARA, EMS, ASPEN, CAPE, PROMOD, PLEXOS, PowerWorld, PSCAD).
Demonstrates broad knowledge and proficiency in power systems studies or transmission planning, knowledge of related specialties, and general knowledge of other related disciplines.
EIT/FE strongly preferred.
Graduate degree in the fields above preferred.
Position Summary: Senior Annual Base Salary $94,600 – $126,134.
Applies extensive technical expertise and has full knowledge of other related disciplines. Performs as a staff advisor and consultant in a technical specialty. Carries out complex or innovative assignments requiring the development of new or improved techniques and procedures.
Essential Responsibilities
Power systems studies engineer: lead and perform modeling and analysis activities for steady state and stability simulations.
Transmission planning engineer: develop scopes for studies to guide long‑range transmission system plans and coordinate with other Integrated System Planning departments to ensure assumptions align across subdisciplines.
Effectively communicate the results of studies and department endeavors to a wide range of audiences through written and verbal means.
Improve Integrated System Planning procedures and techniques through largely self‑directed work; resolve difficult technical and business problems.
Implement, without substantial direction, NERC and FERC compliance activities as an SME; activities are coordinated through the Integrated System Planning department and with external entities.
Assign tasks to lower‑level engineers, interns and technicians; mentor and provide training materials for less experienced engineers to ensure group development.
Minimum Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering and/or Physics from an ABET accredited curriculum (or recognized equivalency).
5+ years with nationally recognized certification (or 7+ years without certification).
Experience with multiple power system transmission analysis tools.
EIT/FE and/or PE registration preferred.
Graduate degree in the fields above preferred.
Position Summary: Principal Annual Base Salary $109,300 – $152,766.
Serves as the technical engineer or subject‑matter expert for the organization in power systems modeling and analysis and/or transmission planning. Responsible for major projects or several complex projects of moderate to large scope.
Essential Responsibilities
Power systems studies engineer: direct and run power system studies, leading multiple complex projects simultaneously.
Transmission planning engineer: develop scopes for complex studies to guide long‑range transmission system plans and coordinate with other Integrated System Planning departments to ensure processes align across subdisciplines.
Serve as a spokesperson within the Integrated System Planning group.
Act as an advisor to management and support workflow management within the department.
Provide testimony in state regulatory processes and strategic direction for transmission system plans.
Minimum Requirements
Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering and/or Physics from an ABET accredited curriculum (or recognized equivalency).
9+ years of demonstrated experience with PE registration, or 15+ years of experience without PE registration.
Experience with multiple power system transmission analysis tools.
EIT/FE and/or PE registration preferred.
Graduate degree in the fields above preferred.
PE registration preferred.
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor or Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from an ABET accredited institution or recognized equivalency.
Electrical power transmission planning engineering experience.
EIT / FE / PE certification.
About Xcel Energy As a leading combination electricity and natural gas energy company, Xcel Energy offers a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related products and services to 3.4 million electricity and 1.9 million natural gas customers across eight Western and Midwestern states. We invite you to join our team.
Equal Opportunity Statement All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. Individuals with a disability who need an accommodation to apply please contact us at recruiting@xcelenergy.com.
Accessibility Statement Xcel Energy endeavors to make https://www.xcelenergy.com/ accessible to any and all users. For assistance completing the application process, contact Xcel Energy Talent Acquisition at recruiting@xcelenergy.com. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.
Benefits Annual Incentive Program, Medical/Pharmacy Plan, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Dependent Care Reimbursement Account, Health Care Reimbursement Account, Health Savings Account, Limited-Purpose FSA, Transportation Reimbursement Account, Short‑term disability, Long‑term disability, Employee Assistance Program, Fitness Center Reimbursement, Tuition reimbursement, Transit programs, Employee recognition program, Pension, 401(k) plan, Paid time off, Holidays, Volunteer Paid Time Off, Parental Leave.
#J-18808-Ljbffr