Power Plant Mechanical Engineer (Entry, Staff, Senior)
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.
Xcel Energy has an exciting opportunity within its Energy Supply Power Generation team. In this role, you will work with engineering staff to support the reliable and efficient operation of Xcel Energy’s generation assets.
As the site Plant Engineer, with a primary focus on mechanical systems, you will provide technical support for equipment repairs, participate in troubleshooting operational issues, manage projects for asset improvements, and support site budgetary planning. You will apply strong technical expertise and critical thinking skills to support a complex operating environment. In this role, you will work closely with cross‑functional teams within Xcel Energy, including Operations, Maintenance, Environmental, and Project groups, to ensure the safe and reliable operation of our power plants.
This position based at Harrington Station in Amarillo, TX, requiring 5-days per week in the office and reliable travel to the site.
Key Functions of role:
Provide initial troubleshooting and problem solving to investigate, document and resolve operational issues and implement solutions.
Provide engineering technical support for equipment repairs and coordinate offsite engineering services when required for complex problems.
Quantify equipment risk and develop corrective action plans to mitigate risk
Analyze equipment failure rates, failure causes and risk trends to prioritize maintenance and future investments
Ensure implementation and optimization of equipment maintenance strategies for turbines, generators and auxiliary systems
Support condition monitoring technologies (vibration analysis, thermography, oil analysis) for equipment.
Identify project improvement opportunities to reduce failures and improve reliability.
Provide engineering support for capital projects, upgrades, and refurbishment of powerhouse equipment.
Support Overhauls & Outages through planning, execution and close out stages
Provide support for plant crews, including reviewing technical material specifications and ordering materials for plant projects
Create capital and operational and maintenance (O&M) projects to ensure long term reliable operation of various plant systems.
Support Break-in plant work screening and prioritization by participating in daily plant plan of the day tailgates and weekly planning meetings.
The job summary below and responsibilities reflect the entry 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 staff, and senior engineer levels.
Position Summary
This is an entry level position designed to develop technical expertise in a particular area of specialty. Performs work that involves conventional types of plans, investigations, surveys, structures or equipment with relatively few complex features for which there are precedents. Activities are of limited scope requiring knowledge of principles and techniques commonly employed in the specific narrow area of assignments. May lead small-medium, non-critical projects and/or provide field oversight of critical projects under direction of higher-level engineer or supervisor. Work is reviewed for soundness of technical judgment, overall adequacy and accuracy. As proficiency is gained, may work on portions of larger projects. Works under supervision and follows established procedures. May supervise or coordinate the work of interns, drafters, craft personnel, technicians and/or others.
Essential 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 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.
Entry Engineer Level (Salary Range: $70,000-$88,667)
Minimum Requirements
Required bachelor's degree in engineering from ABET accredited curriculum, mechanical, chemical, aerospace or civil Engineering degree preferred.
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.
Staff Engineer Level (Salary Range: $81,000 -106,267)
Minimum Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in engineering from ABET accredited, mechanical, chemical, aerospace or civil Engineering degree preferred.
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.
Senior Engineer Level (Salary Range: $97,000-$129,267)
Minimum Requirements
Required bachelor’s degree in engineering from ABET accredited curriculum, mechanical, chemical, aerospace or civil Engineering degree preferred.
5+ years relevant engineering experience with EIT/FE (Engineer in Training/Fundamentals of Engineering) required; 7+ years relevant engineering experience without EIT/FE.
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.
Preferred Requirements:
Experience in power generation or heavy industrial environments.
Experience with Power Generation equipment (turbines, generators, governors, pumps, valves, instrumentation)
Familiarity with predictive maintenance technologies
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-BargainingThe anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $70,000.00 to $129,267.00 per yearThis 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 LeaveBenefit 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: 03/05/26EEO is the Law | EEO is the Law Supplement | Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination | Equal Opportunity Policy (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/ accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Xcel Energy Talent Acquisition at recruiting@xcelenergy.com. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.