Power Systems Studies Staff Engineer (Senior or Principal level)

at  Xcel Energy

Are you looking for an exciting job where you can put your skills and talents to work at a company you can feel proud to be a part of? Do you want a workplace that will challenge you and offer you opportunities to learn and grow? A position at Xcel Energy could be just what you’re looking for.
The below job summary and responsibilities reflects the duties of the Staff Engineer; Senior or Principal levels will differ additional skills and/or experience will be required. The successful candidate will be placed at a level that is commensurate with the candidate’s skills and experience.

POSITION SUMMARY

Under general direction, demonstrates complete understanding & wide application of engineering technical principle, theories, & concepts in the field. Independently determines & develops approaches to solutions. Receives technical guidance on complex problems; completed work reviewed for adequacy in meeting objectives. May lead small-medium non-critical projects or critical projects under direction of higher-level engineer/supervisor. May provide work direction to other professionals &/or staff. Represents the organization in providing solutions to difficult technical issues associated with specific projects. Frequent inter-organizational & outside customer contact. Demonstrates a broad knowledge & proficiency of precedents in the specialty area, a good knowledge of related specialties, & general knowledge of other related disciplines.

STAFF MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from ABET accredited curriculum (or recognized equivalency).
• 2+year’s relevant engineering experience.
• Demonstrated broad knowledge & proficiency in specialty area, knowledge of related specialties, & general knowledge of other related disciplines.
• Ability to demonstrate the unique technical skills & core competencies for this engineering level established & documented by the organization.
• EIT/FE (Engineer in Training/Fundamentals of Engineering) strongly preferred

SENIOR MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Required Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from ABET accredited curriculum (or recognized equivalency).
• 5+ years relevant engineering experience EIT/FE (Engineer in Training/Fundamentals of Engineering) required.
• Ability to demonstrate the unique technical skills and core competencies for this engineering level established & documented by the organization.
• Preferred PE (Professional Engineer) registration may be required depending on business need

PRINCIPAL MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Required Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from ABET accredited curriculum (or recognized equivalency).
• 9+ years relevant engineering experience PE (Professional Engineer) registration required.
• Ability to demonstrate the unique technical skills and core competencies for this engineering level established & documented by the organization.

Preferred Requirements:

• Experience with power system transmission analysis tools such as PSSE, TARA, EMS, ASPEN, PROMOD, PowerWorld, PSCAD or other similar analysis software.
• Strong understanding of electrical engineering concepts such as reliability, load flow, stability, short circuit, voltage regulation, transients, power factor, losses, etc.

Salary Range: Entry - $66,000 to $84,400; Staff - $77,900 to $101,167 Senior - $92,300 to $123,033; Principal - $106,600 to $149,000
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. At Xcel Energy, we strive to be the preferred and trusted provider of the energy our customers need. If you’re ready to be a part of something big, we invite you to join our team.
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.
Non-Bargaining
The anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $66,600.00 to $149,000.00 per year
This position is eligible for the following benefits: Annual Incentive Program, Medical/Pharmacy Plan, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Dependent Care Reimbursement Account, Health Care Reimbursement Account, Health Savings Account (HSA) (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Limited-Purpose FSA (if enrolled in eligible health plan and HSA), Transportation Reimbursement Account, Short-term disability (STD), Long-term disability (LTD), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Fitness Center Reimbursement (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Tuition reimbursement, Transit programs, Employee recognition program, Pension, 401(k) plan, Paid time off (PTO), Holidays, Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO), Parental Leave
Benefit plans are subject to change and Xcel Energy has the right to end, suspend, or amend any of its plans, at any time, in whole or in part.
Deadline to Apply: 11/19/24
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ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Uses & applies technical standards, principles, theories, concepts, & techniques to perform activities/assignments that may include a variety of complex features such as conflicting design requirements, unsuitability of conventional materials or methods & difficult coordination requirements.
• Supports the development of technical documentation (including but not limited to designs, testing, calculations, reports, standards, etc.) Utilizes & may assist with the development of procedures requiring a broad knowledge & proficiency in a specialty area & has a general knowledge of related disciplines.
• Works under the general direction of a higher-level engineer or supervisor for routine engineering projects. Provide ongoing technical support for project activities within areas such as Operations, Maintenance, testing/diagnostics & Regulatory. May provide field engineering oversight &/or direction for activities such as commissioning, testing, inspections, etc.
• May lead small-medium, non-critical projects. Coordinate/leads critical projects or portions of projects (including phases such as research, design, equipment selection, procurement support, installation & commissioning), under the direction of a higher-level engineer or supervisor. Work reviewed upon completion for adequacy in meeting objectives.
• Under the direction of a higher-level engineer/supervisor supports bid/evaluation processes including preparation of bid documents, completion of technical evaluations for proposals; provide recommendations for selection, etc. Partners & communicates with areas such as Supply Chain & Legal following appropriate processes.
• Frequently exchanges information in all formats, on matters having a wide range of importance & complexity both inter-organizationally & with outside customers.
• May assign tasks & coordinate work of interns, drafters, technicians, craft personnel &/or others. Provide guidance & mentoring to less experienced engineers. Responsible for continuous self-development of technical skills & competencies.
• Performs activities such as budgeting, estimating, forecasting, accounting, work order management, in support of engineering projects.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Specifically, this job will focus on model development, reviews, and analysis of Xcel Energy assets using PSSE, PSLF, TARA, or similar software. Examples of activities, with supervision appropriate for the level hired, are as follows:

• Develop and maintain internal and regional model sets to represent the power system over time. Responsible for managing key inputs and/or identifying system of record for all key data sources.
• Run simulations based on assigned study scopes to test reliability, economics, and alternatives. Develop study report material to support internal and external customers.
• Maintain compliance and addressing future regulatory developments with assigned NERC and FERC standards.
• Identify and implement automated processes, establish common processes and procedures, and implement process improvements.
• Perform quality assurance reviews of models.