Transmission Planning and Advanced Studies Engineer (Entry, Staff, Senior or Principal)

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. This position is part of the Public Service Company of Colorado (PSCo) Transmission Planning Team, a highly respected and technically advanced group responsible for shaping the future of the electric grid across Colorado and the broader Western Interconnection. The team is engaged in some of the industry's most challenging and high-impact transmission planning initiatives, working at the intersection of reliability, system development, policy, and innovation. As a member of this team, you will have the opportunity to work on a diverse portfolio of projects that span traditional transmission expansion, advanced grid technologies, large-load integration, renewable energy integration, and next-generation power system planning. Current initiatives include DOE-funded and DOE-supported grid modernization efforts, advanced transmission technology deployments, interregional transmission development, HVDC modernization studies, Grid Enhancing Technologies (GETs), Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS), and system-wide transmission expansion planning. The team is actively evaluating innovative solutions that will help shape the future of the North American electric grid and sits in drafting and advisory roles in multiple NERC and WECC committees. The PSCo Transmission Planning Team is widely recognized for its strength in power system dynamics, transient stability analysis, and electromagnetic transient (EMT) studies. Engineers on the team work with industry-leading tools and methodologies to evaluate complex interactions between inverter-based resources, large loads, transmission technologies, and emerging grid architectures. The team also participates in industry forums, technical working groups, and the development of industry guidance related to emerging reliability challenges. Beyond technical studies, the role provides unique exposure to the broader utility business. Engineers frequently collaborate with operations, regulatory, resource planning, market, protection, and engineering organizations. Depending on experience and interests, candidates may also have opportunities to support regulatory filings, provide technical analyses for state and federal proceedings, develop testimony, and engage directly with stakeholders, consultants, regulators, and industry organizations. This is an exceptional opportunity for professionals who want to solve technically complex problems, contribute to industry-leading work, gain visibility across the utility sector, and help define how the grid evolves to meet future reliability, decarbonization, electrification, and large-load growth challenges. The work performed by this team is helping establish practices and frameworks that are influencing transmission planning discussions well beyond Colorado. This is more than a traditional transmission planning role. It is an opportunity to help design and influence the future electric grid while working alongside some of the industry's most experienced and innovative and expert engineers. The job summary below and responsibilities reflect the entry engineer level role . The successfully chosen candidate will be placed at a level that is commensurate with their skills and experience as different skills and/or experience will be required at the staff, senior and principal engineer levels.   Position Summary: Viewed as the technical engineer or subject matter expert for the organization in the application of advanced theories, concepts, principles, and processes in power systems modeling and analysis and/or transmission planning. Contributes to the development of new principles and concepts. Problems must be approached through a series of complex and conceptually related studies, are difficult to define, require unconventional or innovative approaches, and require sophisticated research techniques.  Responsible for major project or several complex projects of moderate to large scope. Serves as organization spokesperson on advanced projects and/or programs. Acts as advisor to management and customers on advanced technical research studies and applications. Maintains contacts with individuals and units within and outside the corporation for action on technical matters.  Works under consultative direction toward broad general goals and objectives. Assignments are often self-initiated. Determines and pursues courses of action necessary to obtain desired results. Work checked through consultation and agreement with others rather than by formal review of superior. May provide work direction for a team of engineers, technicians and other professionals as necessary to complete assignments. This includes evaluation of work progress and results/feedback to supervisors on performance. May lead multiple critical and/or complex projects. This role requires a balance of technical acumen and strong communication skills, as the principal 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. Essential Responsibilities: • Power systems studies engineer: Directs and runs power system studies. This engineer can expect many complex and interdisciplinary issues to be within their scope of work. Will lead multiple complex projects simultaneously. • Transmission planning engineer: Develops scopes for complex studies to guide long-range transmission system plans and coordinates with other Integrated System Planning departments to ensure processes align across subdisciplines. • General work is self-directed and should be self-initiated. Work and analysis will generally have wide-ranging ramifications to the business. • Serves as a spokesperson within the Integrated System Planning group. • Acts as an advisor to management. Helps with workflow management within the department. • Power systems studies engineer: Works as an established SME for modeling and analysis processes, procedures, and standards compliance. Will contribute to integrated modeling and analysis methods across the generation/transmission and transmission/distribution boundaries. • Transmission planning engineer: Support and provide testimony in state regulatory processes and strategic direction for transmission system plans Principal Engineer (Salary Range: $112,000-$156,600) Minimum Requirements • Bachelor’s degree in engineering and/or Physics from ABET accredited curriculum (or recognized equivalency), electrical engineering degree preferred. • 9 + years of demonstrated experience with PE (Professional Engineer) registration, 15+ years of demonstrated experience without PE (Professional Engineer) registration. • Experience with multiple power system transmission analysis tools, such as PSSE, TARA, EMS, ASPEN, CAPE, PROMOD, PLEXOS, PowerWorld, 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. • PE (Professional Engineer) registration preferred. Senior Engineer Level (Salary Range: $97,000-$129,267) Minimum Requirements • Bachelor’s degree in engineering and/or Physics from ABET accredited curriculum (or recognized equivalency), 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, PowerWorld, 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. Staff Engineer Level (Salary Range: $81,000 -106,267) Minimum Requirements • Bachelor’s degree in engineering and/or Physics from ABET accredited curriculum (or recognized equivalency), electrical engineering degree preferred. • 2+ years of demonstrated experience. • Experience with at least one power system transmission analysis tool, such as PSSE, TARA, EMS, ASPEN, CAPE, PROMOD, PLEXOS, PowerWorld, PSCAD or other similar analysis software. • 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 (Engineer in Training/Fundamentals of Engineering) strongly preferred. • Graduate degree in fields above preferred. Entry Engineer Level (Salary Range: $70,000-$88,667) Minimum Requirements • Bachelor’s degree in engineering and/or Physics from ABET accredited curriculum (or recognized equivalency), electrical engineering degree preferred. • 0+ years relevant engineering experience. • EIT/FE (Engineer in Training/Fundamentals of Engineering) preferred. • Graduate degree in fields above preferred. • Course experience in Introduction to Power Systems (or similar course) preferred. • Internship experience within power industry. Preferred Experience & Skill • Have completed a power systems analysis class and preferably hold advanced degrees. 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 [contact in the portal] . Non-Bargaining The anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $70,000.00 to $156,600.00 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. In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information including but not limited to dates of school attendance and graduation.   You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information. Deadline to Apply: 08/05/26 EEO is the Law |  EEO is the Law Supplement | Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination | Equal Opportunity Policy (PDF) | Employee Rights (PDF) All Xcel Energy employees and contractors share responsibility for protecting the company's information and systems by adhering to cybersecurity policies, standards, and best practices, recognizing that cybersecurity is everyone's responsibility.   ACCESSIBILITY S