Generation Project Development Engineer (Eng., Sr, Staff or Principal)
Xcel EnergyMinneapolis, MN
Full Time
Posted October 15, 2026
$70k - $157k
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Listing evidence and provenance
- Source
- Workday View original listing
- Freshness
- Open in the current public read path; this is not an employer guarantee.Last observed October 16, 2026
- Classification
- Modern power-system classification not yet published for this listing.Legacy source industry field: Utilities
- Pay provenance
- Employer-provided pay
Job Description
The Generation Development Engineer – Thermal provides technical engineering support for new power generation projects using thermal technologies, e.g., simple and combined cycle combustion turbine plants, natural gas fuel cells, geothermal power, and emerging energy technologies.
Key Responsibilities
- 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 development project activities within areas such as design standards and technical specifications, performance optimization, etc.
- 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 effectively communicate with other business areas of the company following appropriate processes.
- Effectively exchanges information in all formats, on matters having a wide range of importance and complexity both inter-organizationally and with outside customer/vendors.
- May coordinate the work of interns, drafters, technicians, and/or others and provides guidance and mentoring to less experienced engineers. Responsible for continuous self development of technical skills and competencies.
- May perform activities such as budgeting, estimating, forecasting, accounting, work order management, in support of engineering projects.
- 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. Essential Responsibilities
- Applies extensive technical expertise and has an understanding of the basic principles of other related disciplines. Fully demonstrates the unique technical skills and core competencies for this engineering level by applying technical standards, principles, theories, concepts, and techniques to lead projects of moderate to large size, scope and complexity.
- Largely self-directed work is expected to result in the development of new or improved techniques, procedures and standards. Supports the development of technical documentation (including but not limited to designs, testing, calculations, reports, standards, etc.)
- Without appreciable direction exercises considerable latitude in determining ongoing technical support for project activities within areas such as design standards and technical specifications, performance optimization, etc.
- Coordinates/leads multiple projects or portions of projects (including phases such as research, design, equipment selection, procurement, installation and commissioning). May lead more critical projects with oversight of a higher-level engineer or supervisor.
- Represents the organization as the prime technical contact in the bid/evaluation processes including preparation of bid documents, completion of technical evaluations for proposals and providing recommendations for selection. Interacts with senior external personnel on significant technical matters often requiring coordination with internal and external organizations.
- Effectively and with precision resolves difficult technical/business matters both inter-organizationally and with outside customer/vendors with all formats of communication.
- May assign tasks to and/or direct engineers, technicians, craft personnel and other support staff including coordination and review of work assignments. Provides guidance and mentoring to less experienced engineers. Responsible for continuous self-development of technical skills and competencies.
- Leads activities such as budgeting, estimating, forecasting, accounting, work order management, in support of engineering projects.
- 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.
- 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. Provides ongoing technical support for development project activities within areas such as design standards and technical specifications, performance optimization, 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), 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.
- Viewed as the technical engineer or subject matter expert for the organization in the application of advanced theories, concepts, principles, and processes for an assigned area of responsibility (i.e. subject matter, function, type of facility, equipment or product). 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. Determine and pursue 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. Essential Responsibilities
- Applies extensive technical expertise and has a higher-level understanding of the basic principles of other related disciplines. Fully demonstrates the unique technical skills and core competencies for this engineering level by applying advanced technical principles, theories and concepts, and contributes to the development of new principles, concepts and technical standards. Fully demonstrates unique technical skills.
- As a recognized internal technical SME, conceives plans and conducts research to develop procedures, codes and standards in problem areas of considerable scope and complexity and supports the development of technical documentation through a series of complex and conceptually related studies requiring unconventional or innovative approaches. Exercises authority and technical leadership on assignments that are often self-initiated and self-directed. Assignments are strategic and have significant long-term implications to achievement of overall business objectives.
- May lead multiple critical and/or complex projects including research, design, equipment specification & selection, installation, start-up, commissioning and evaluation of work progress and results.
- Acts as advisor to management and customers on advanced technical research studies and applications. Manages bid/evaluation processes which include the preparation of bid documents, completion of technical evaluations for proposals and the review and approval of recommendations for selection.
- Serves as organization spokesperson on advanced projects and/or programs. Is influential in all forms of communications with internal and external business.
- May provide oversight of engineers, interns, craft personnel, technicians and other professionals. Forms mentoring relationships with less experienced engineers for the transfer of knowledge and continuous self-development of technical skills and competencies. Demonstrates effective leadership skills.
- May provide overall coordination of processes related to budgeting, estimating, forecasting, accounting and work order management, in support of existing engineering projects or packaging proposals for future projects.
Requirements
- Required Bachelor's degree in Engineering from ABET accredited curriculum (or recognized equivalency)
- 0+ years relevant engineering experience
- Ability to demonstrate the unique technical skills and core competencies for this engineering level established & documented by the organization
- Preferred EIT/FE (Engineer in Training/Fundamentals of Engineering) preferred
- Required Bachelor's degree in Engineering from ABET accredited curriculum (or recognized equivalency)
- 5+ years relevant engineering experience with EIT/FE (Engineer in Training/Fundamentals of Engineering) required, or 7+ years relevant engineering experience without 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.
- 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
- Required Bachelor's degree in Engineering from ABET accredited curriculum (or recognized equivalency). Advanced degree (M.E., M.S., PhD) preferred.
- 9+ years relevant engineering experience in power generation or heavy industrial projects with a PE (Professional Engineer) registration required, or 15+ years relevant engineering experience without a PE (Professional Engineer) required.
- Ability to demonstrate the unique technical skills and core competencies for this engineering level established & documented by the organization.
- Our culture is grounded in shared values and employee commitments that guide how we work, support one another, and grow together.
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