Project engineer (Mechanical or Electrical disciplines preferred) to perform project management duties at gas turbine simple cycle power plants across the region (MN, WI, SD).
Responsible for the design, modeling, development and testing of a machine, structure or system. Develops functional requirements. Understands and applies standard engineering principles. Creates simulations and prototypes to evaluate preliminary designs and test how a machine, structure or system operates. Designs and tests components, and integrates components to produce final product. Monitors quality of products and controls the efficiency of processes. Evaluates a design's overall effectiveness, cost, reliability, and safety. Investigates root causes of failures to maintain quality and recommend improvements.
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 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.
Role Overview
The E&C Engineer II will serve as a project engineer supporting capital projects at Xcel
Energy's gas turbine plants, primarily located in the South Metro area (Blue Lake and Inver
Hills), with occasional travel to Wheaton (Eau Claire, WI) and Anson (near Sioux Falls, SD).
The role focuses on executing mechanically based projects, coordinating with plant
engineers, vendors, and contractors to ensure successful project delivery.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as a project engineer managing approved capital projects from scope review to
execution.
- Coordinate with reliability engineers and vendors to update quotes and specifications.
- Plan and execute projects during plant outages or while online, ensuring resource
availability.
- Liaise with contractors and internal teams to ensure alignment on installation and
commissioning.
- Maintain safety compliance and coordinate site access and orientation.
- Travel between plant locations as needed, with most work centered in the metro area.
Required Skills/Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering (ABET-accredited preferred).
- 5+ years of experience preferred, but candidates with less experience and strong aptitude
will be considered.
- Experience in utilities, manufacturing, or heavy industry; gas turbine experience is a plus
but not required.
- Strong organizational skills related to managing budgets, schedules, change orders, and
team members.
- Regularly participate in customer-facing sales & project execution meetings.
- Coordinate equipment shipment, installation, and commissioning with contractors &
customers.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and SAP; familiarity with AutoCAD or Bluebeam is a
plus.
- Ability to work collaboratively with plant operations, site management, and craft labor
teams.
- Excellent communication and relationship management skills.