Power Systems Modeling Engineer - Distribution Senior

Position: Power Systems Modeling Engineer - Distribution (Staff, Senior)
Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) is a leading energy provider and Fortune 500 company, dedicated to serving millions of electricity and natural gas customers across eight states:
Minnesota, Colorado, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, New Mexico and Texas. We make energy work better for our customers, helping them thrive every day. That means always raising the bar - delivering better service and providing more reliable, resilient, and sustainable energy.

Xcel Energy is a place where you’ll have opportunities to grow, expand your skills, and help lead the clean energy transition. We offer meaningful rewards, recognition, and support to help you build your career and make an impact - both on the job and beyond. Most importantly, it means you’ll be joining a company that knows employees are the driving force behind its success and is committed to helping you be your best.

Xcel Energy supports a hybrid work model to enable collaboration and flexibility. Many roles are expected to work onsite three days per week (Tuesday–Thursday); however, work location expectations vary based on role, team, and business needs.

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.

Power Systems Modeling Engineer - Distribution (Staff or Senior)

Role Overview :

Model Maintenance 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

Model Validation & Data Quality 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)
Hosting Capacity Analysis Assess the capabilities of the distribution grid via hosting capacity analysis using EPRI DRIVEPublish distribution system capacity maps Incorporate stakeholder feedback to improve HCA map user experience

Grid Modernization & Regulatory Support 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 senior 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 entry, staff, or principal engineer level.

General 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…