Transmission Planning Engineer, Senior

Position Summary

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.

• Power systems studies engineer:
  Leads and performs modeling and analysis activities for steady state and stability simulations
• Transmission planning engineer:
  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 System 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

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering and/or Physics from ABET accredited curriculum, electrical engineering degree preferred.
• 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, Power World, PSCAD or other similar analysis software.
• EIT/FE (Engineer in Training/Fundamentals of Engineering and/or PE (Professional Engineer) registration preferred.
• Graduate degree in fields above preferred.

• Experience with Python programming
• Proficiency in conducting transient stability studies and analysis.
• Experience with EMT modeling and studies using PSCAD, ETAP or other similar tools

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.

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