Power Systems Modeling Engineer - Distribution; Entry Senior

Integrated System Planning (ISP) Organization

Xcel Energy's dedicated Integrated System Planning (ISP) department coordinates planning across all aspects of its utility operations—generation, transmission, distribution, and natural gas—in preparation for a carbon‑neutral future. Within ISP, the modeling team supports long‑term, cross‑functional planning with technical power systems modeling expertise.

Role Overview

• Maintain up‑to‑date power flow models as data and conditions change.
• Work with model consumers to develop modeling standards that meet requirements for interconnection and planning studies and ensure consistent and repeatable modeling practices.
• Stay current on industry best practices, emerging technologies, and advanced modeling techniques to continuously enhance analytical capabilities and planning outcomes.

• Ensure accurate models through a standard model validation process.
• Work to resolve data quality issues in upstream source data systems.
• Work with ISP's data science team to build and validate ETL workflows in Xcel's data management platform (Databricks).

• Assess the capabilities of the distribution grid via hosting capacity analysis using EPRI DRIVE.
• Publish distribution system capacity maps.
• Incorporate stakeholder feedback to improve HCA map user experience.

• Support Xcel's Distribution System Plans and other regulatory filings.
• Support grid modernization efforts, such as beneficial electrification, non‑wire alternatives, proactive grid upgrades, and dispatchable distributed generation.
• Work to integrate distribution planning efforts with transmission, resource, and gas planning.

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 and senior engineer levels.

This is an entry level position designed to develop technical expertise in a particular area of specialty. Performs work that involves conventional types of plans, investigations, surveys, structures or equipment with relatively few complex features for which there are precedents. Activities are of limited scope requiring knowledge of principles and techniques commonly employed in the specific narrow area of assignments. May lead small‑medium, non‑critical projects and/or provide field oversight of critical projects under direction of higher‑level engineer or supervisor.

Work is reviewed for soundness of technical judgment, overall adequacy and accuracy. As proficiency is gained, may work on portions of larger projects. Works under supervision and follows established procedures. May supervise or coordinate the work of interns, drafters, craft personnel, technicians and/or others.

• Uses and applies technical standards, principles, theories, concepts, and techniques to perform activities/assignments of limited scope.
• Supports the development of technical documentation (including but not limited to designs, testing, calculations, reports, standards, etc.) Utilizes and may assist with the development of procedures.
• Provides ongoing technical support for project activities within areas such as Operations, Maintenance, Testing/diagnostics, Regulatory, etc. May provide field engineering oversight for activities such as commissioning, testing, inspections, etc. under direct supervision.
• Coordinates/leads projects or portions of projects (including phases such as research, design, equipment selection, procurement support, installation and commissioning), under the direction of a higher‑level engineer or supervisor.
• Under the direction of a higher‑level engineer/supervisor, supports bid/evaluation processes by performing basic analysis and calculations on existing documentation and materials that support the preparation of bid documents. In completing segments of technical evaluations for proposals may need to…