Distribution Designer (II, Senior, or Principal)

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.

Position Summary

Mastery level design position that provides new and existing commercial, industrial, residential, and internal customers with distribution design project management for all areas of design, including complex designs. The responsibility of this position is to function as the primary contact for future and existing customers by providing cost effective designs that balance customers' needs in accordance with Xcel Energy's standards and administrative guidelines. May provide work clarification, and direction when required, for construction personnel and act as the liaison between the construction department and customers. May assist with mentoring and training of Assoc Designers and Designers. Travel and overnight stays may be required. May be expected to assist as needed after normal business hours during emergency situations.

Essential Responsibilities

- Design safe operating facilities for new and existing customers according to Xcel Energy construction standard and interpret administrative instructions for consistent and cost-effective designs. Provide distribution design project management for all areas of design, including the complex. Responsible for the generation of additional company revenue through contacts with new business or existing customers.
- Manage projects from initial customer contact through post project analysis. Establish and manage the construction work plan in order to meet the customers schedule and design requirements as well as financial and budgetary requirements
- Assist with mentoring and training of Designers. Demonstrate ability to set direction, influence others, and build teamwork across work groups and areas to achieve department and company goals.
- Represent the Company with government officials, contractors, city agencies, vendors, architects, and engineers to provide service to customers.
- Demonstrate ability to set direction, influence others and build teamwork across work groups and areas to achieve department and company goals.
- Obtain permits and easements for facilities in accordance with city ordinances, state, federal, and county agencies. Execute contracts and agreements in compliance with administrative instructions and regulatory requirements.

Minimum Requirements for Designer II ($33.90 - $47.43)

- High School Diploma or GED.
- Min. of Assoc. Degree in one of the following fields of study: drafting, design, automation, electronics, mechatronics, engineering, GIS, other related field of study.
- In lieu of an Assoc. Degree: a combination of education and experience in design/drafting, construction, project management, or electronics providing equivalent experience and knowledge.
- Minimum 2 years' experience as a Designer I or equivalent experience.
- Proficient in one or more of the following: GIS, design software, work management programs, and related systems or related systems required.
- Knowledge of construction standards, materials, and technical codes.
- Proficient in Windows operating system and Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Excel, Word, Access, etc.).
- Self-starter, able to work with minimal supervision.
- Driver's License may be required.

Minimum Requirements for Senior Designer ($39 - $54.53)

- High School Diploma or GED.
- Min. of Assoc. Degree in one of the following fields of study: drafting, design, automation, electronics, mechatronics, engineering, GIS, other related field of study and 5 years direct Designer level experience.
- In lieu of an Assoc. Degree: a combination of education and experience in design/drafting, construction, project management, or electronics providing equivalent experience and knowledge.
- Minimum of 5 years design experience or equivalent experience - preferably 3 years as an Xcel Energy Designer II.
- Mastery of one or more of the following: GIS, design software, work management programs, required. Demonstrated knowledge of Transmission line design, Substation design, or Distribution design.
- Demonstrated knowledge of construction standards, materials, and technical codes.
- Mastery of Windows operating system and Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Excel, Word, Access, etc.).
- Highly effective communication and innovative problem-solving skills - self-starter, able to work with minimal supervision.
- Driver's License may be required.

Minimum Requirements for Principal Designer ($41.60 - $58.25)

- High School Diploma or GED.
- Min. of Assoc. Degree in one of the following fields of study: drafting, design, automation, electronics, mechatronics, engineering, GIS, other related field of study or a combination of education and experience providing equivalent knowledge.
- In lieu of an Assoc. Degree: a combination of education and experience in design/drafting, construction, project management, or electronics providing equivalent experience and knowledge.
- Must have at least 9 years of design experience or equivalent experience - preferably 3 years as an Xcel Energy Sr. Designer.
- Subject matter expert in one or more of the following: GIS, design software, or work management programs.
- Subject matter expert of Transmission line design, Substation design, or Distribution design.
- Expert knowledge of construction standards, design standards, materials, and technical codes.
- Expert in Windows operating system and Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Excel, Word, Access, etc.).
- Highly effective communication and innovative problem-solving skills, self-starter, able to work with minimal supervision.
- Driver's License may be required.

Preferred Requirements

- Existing Xcel Energy Electric Distribution Design experience.

Our culture is grounded in shared values and employee commitments that guide how we work, support one another, and grow together.

Our Values

Connected, Committed, Trustworthy, Safe

Our Employee Commitments

- Work that makes a difference
- A team you can count of
- Opportunities to grow
- Rewards that help you thrive

Xcel Energy provides job applicants reasonable accommodations for disabilities throughout the application process. If you are in need of an accommodation to complete the application process, now or at any time in the future, please complete the  Applicant Accommodation Request Form .

Non-Bargaining
The anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $33.90 to $58.25 per hour
This position is eligible for the following benefits: Spot On Bonus, 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: 09/30/26

EEO is the Law (PDF) | Equal Opportunity Statement (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 Statement

Xcel Energy endeavors to make https://www.xcelenergy.com and https://jobs.xcelenergy.com accessible to any and all users. If you are in need of an accommodation to complete the application process, now or at any time in the future, please complete the Applicant Accommodation Request Form . For any other application related questions, including application follow-ups or technical issues, please use our Recruiting Assistance, Electra, for assistance. Electra can be found in the lower right-hand corner of our Xcel Energy Careers site.