Capital Projects Engineer (Senior, Principal, or Consulting Level)

Are you looking for an exciting job where you can put your skills and talents to work at a company you can feel proud to be a part of? Do you want a workplace that will challenge you and offer you opportunities to learn and grow?  A  position at Xcel Energy could be just what you’re looking for.

This position is based in Amarillo, TX 79101 on a hybrid (3 days per week onsite) work schedule. It can be hired at the Senior, Principal, or Consulting level, depending on candidates' overall experience, qualifications, and interview results.

Position Summary - Senior Level Capital Projects Engineer

Base Salary Range $94,600 - $126,134 plus 10% Annual Incentive Plan
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 Operations, Maintenance, Testing/diagnostics and Regulatory.  Provides field engineering oversight and direction for activities such as support, testing, installation, inspections, commissioning 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.

Minimum Requirements

• 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 and documented by the organization.

• Preferred PE (Professional Engineer) registration may be required depending on business need.

Position Summary - Principal Level Capital Projects Engineer

Base Salary Range $109,300 - $152,766 plus 12% Annual Incentive Plan
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.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from ABET accredited curriculum (or recognized equivalency)

• 9+ years relevant engineering experience 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.

Position Summary - Consulting Level Capital Projects Engineer

Base Salary Range $131,300 - $183,166 plus 12% Annual Incentive Plan
A recognized leader and authority in the organization and externally in a broad area of specialization or in a narrow but intensely specialized field. Exhibits an exceptional degree of technical expertise, ingenuity, creativity, and resourcefulness. Applies and/or develops highly advanced technologies, scientific principles, theories and concepts. Acts as a technical resource to associates and others with a high degree of reliance placed on the scientific interpretations and advice. Serves as consultant to top management in long-range company planning concerning new or projected areas of technological research and advancements. Prime spokesperson on company's technical capabilities and future directions. Work is checked only to the effectiveness of results obtained, typically requiring a long-term perspective. Virtually self-supervisory. May provide daily oversight for a staff of engineers, craft personnel and technicians. May lead critical, complex, and/or multi-year duration projects.

Essential Responsibilities

• Applies extensive technical expertise and has a high level understanding of the basic principals of other related disciplines. Fully demonstrates the unique technical skills and core competencies for this engineering level by applying highly advanced technical principles, theories and concepts. As a recognized industry SME contributes to the development of new principles and concepts. Applies and/or develops highly advanced technologies, scientific principles theories and concepts.

• Conceives, plans and conducts investigations of broad technical interest to the industry in areas of considerable innovation and importance for which engineering precedents are lacking in areas critical to the overall success of the engineering program. Contributes to the development of codes and standards through a series of complex and conceptually related studies requiring unconventional or innovative approaches.

• Virtually self-supervisory. Often acts independently to uncover and resolve issues associated with the development and implementation of operational programs. Work is checked only to the effectiveness of results obtained, typically requiring a long-term perspective.

• As the Lead of critical, complex, and /or multi-year duration projects, fully manages the technical scope of such projects.

• Serves as the technical authority in consultation with top management in strategic long-range company planning concerning new or projected areas of technological research and advancements and provides recommendations on specifications and procurement.

• Prime spokesperson on company's technical capabilities and future directions. Initiates and maintains an extensive network of contacts with key internal and external business partners.

• May provide oversight of engineers, interns, technicians, craft personnel 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.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from ABET accredited curriculum (or recognized equivalency)

• 14+ years relevant engineering experience

• PE (Professional Engineer) registration

• Ability to demonstrate the unique technical skills and core competencies for this engineering level established & documented by the organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Civil / Structural Professional Engineer (PE) Registration

As a leading combination electricity and natural gas energy company, Xcel Energy offers a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related products and services to 3.4 million electricity and 1.9 million natural gas customers across eight Western and Midwestern states. At Xcel Energy, we strive to be the preferred and trusted provider of the energy our customers need. If you’re ready to be a part of something big, we invite you to join our team.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Individuals with a disability who need an accommodation to apply please contact us at recruiting@xcelenergy.com.

Non-Bargaining

The anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $94,600.00 to $183,186.00 per year

This position is eligible for the following benefits: Annual Incentive Program, 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: 01/02/26

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ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT
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