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Interconnection Engineer Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

You'll have exposure to the full lifecycle of projects - from site feasibility and engineering review through permitting, interconnection, and construction readiness. This role is ideal for someone ...

Senior Electrical Engineer

Big Lake, MN · On-site

$109K - $164K/yr

Ensure design compliance with NEC, NESC, and IEEE standards and prepare technical inputs for utility interconnection applications * Mentor junior engineering staff, lead peer reviews, and uphold ...

Vice President, Engineering

Minneapolis, MN · On-site +1

$187K - $242K/yr

Drive interconnection strategy, including POI evaluation, queue strategy, studies, and GIA-related ... engineering experience * Strong background in project design, technical feasibility, and ...

Senior Electrical Engineer

Big Lake, MN · On-site

$109K - $164K/yr

Ensure design compliance with NEC, NESC, and IEEE standards and prepare technical inputs for utility interconnection applications * Mentor junior engineering staff, lead peer reviews, and uphold ...

Vice President, Engineering

Minneapolis, MN · On-site +1

$187K - $242K/yr

Drive interconnection strategy, including POI evaluation, queue strategy, studies, and GIA-related ... engineering experience * Strong background in project design, technical feasibility, and ...

Project Engineer Transmission Substation Construction & Field Engineering Location: Maple Grove, MN ... Renewable energy interconnection projects * Capacity expansion initiatives * Large transformer ...

Electrical Power Engineer

Big Lake, MN · On-site

$82K - $123K/yr

Prepare documentation for utility interconnection Qualifications : * Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from an ABET-accredited institution required * 2 - 5+ years of experience in ...

Prepare documentation for utility interconnection Qualifications : * Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from an ABET-accredited institution required * 2 - 5+ years of experience in ...

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Showing results 1-20

Interconnection Engineer information

What is an interconnection engineer?

Interconnection Engineers are professionals who design, manage, and oversee the processes required to connect energy generation systems—such as solar, wind, or traditional power plants—to the electric grid. They work closely with utilities, developers, and regulatory agencies to ensure that new energy projects meet technical standards and regulatory requirements for safe and reliable grid integration. Their responsibilities include conducting technical studies, reviewing interconnection applications, and coordinating with various stakeholders to resolve engineering challenges. This role is critical in supporting the expansion of renewable energy and maintaining grid stability.

What are some common challenges an interconnection engineer faces when coordinating with utilities and project stakeholders?

Interconnection Engineers often encounter challenges such as navigating complex utility requirements, managing tight project timelines, and ensuring all technical documentation meets regulatory standards. Communication with utility representatives and project teams can be intricate, as requirements may vary by region and change frequently. Being proactive in documentation, maintaining clear communication, and staying updated on evolving interconnection standards are crucial for success in this collaborative and fast-paced role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an interconnection engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Interconnection Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, power systems, and grid interconnection standards, often supported by a bachelor's degree in engineering. Familiarity with power system modeling tools (such as PSS®E, PSCAD, or PowerWorld), relevant regulations (like FERC, NERC), and industry certifications (such as PE licensure) is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, project management abilities, and clear communication skills help you collaborate effectively with utilities, developers, and regulatory bodies. These skills are essential to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant integration of new energy projects into the electric grid.

What is the difference between Interconnection Engineer vs Power Systems Engineer?

AspectInterconnection EngineerPower Systems Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Electrical Engineering, certifications like PE or EIT often preferredBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, PE license common
Work EnvironmentUtility companies, renewable energy firms, grid operatorsPower generation, transmission, and distribution companies
Industry UsageFocuses on connecting new energy sources to the gridDesigning and analyzing power systems for efficiency and reliability

Interconnection Engineers primarily focus on integrating new energy projects into the grid, ensuring compliance and connection approval. Power Systems Engineers work on designing, analyzing, and optimizing entire power systems. While both roles require electrical engineering expertise and often similar certifications, their focus areas differ—interconnection engineers concentrate on grid connection processes, whereas power systems engineers focus on system performance and design.

What are the most commonly searched types of Interconnection Engineer jobs in Minnesota?

The most popular types of Interconnection Engineer jobs in Minnesota are:

What job categories do people searching Interconnection Engineer jobs in Minnesota look for?

The top searched job categories for Interconnection Engineer jobs in Minnesota are:

Infographic showing various Interconnection Engineer job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution.

DER Interconnection Engineer (Entry, Staff, Senior, or Principal)

Xcel Energy

Saint Paul, MN • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago


Xcel Energy rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 89 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

19th of 53 rated energy and utility


Job description

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.

The below job summary and responsibilities reflect the staff 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 entry, senior and principal engineer levels.

We are seeking a dedicated and skilled engineer to join our DER Integration team. This team is responsible for evaluating requests to connect distributed generation to the distribution system. Our primary focus is on assessing the impact on reliability and safety and determining the best methods for safe and reliable interconnection. The team collaborates closely with various internal engineering stakeholders, including area engineers, planning, integrated system planning, substation engineering, and the protection team. In this role, you will be one of four engineers based in Minnesota (preferably), supporting the NSP interconnection process. You will have specific geographic and milestone responsibilities, contributing your expertise to ensure the success of the interconnection projects.

Position Summary

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.

Entry Engineer Level (Salary Range: $70,000-86,667)

Minimum Requirements

  • Required bachelor's degree in engineering from ABET accredited curriculum; electrical engineering degree preferred or mechanical engineering degree with relevant engineering experience.

  • 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: $81,800-$106,267)

Minimum Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering from ABET accredited, electrical engineering degree preferred or mechanical engineering degree with relevant engineering experience.

  • 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, electrical engineering degree preferred or mechanical engineering degree with relevant engineering experience.

  • 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.

Principal Engineer (Salary Range: $112,000-$156,600)

Minimum Requirements

  • Required bachelor's degree in engineering from ABET accredited curriculum, electrical engineering degree preferred or mechanical engineering degree with relevant engineering experience.

  • 9+ years relevant engineering experience with PE (Professional Engineer) registration required; 15+ years relevant engineering experience without PE.

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

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 $156,600.00 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 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: 09/14/26

EEO 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.


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About Xcel Energy

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Xcel Energy is a prominent electricity and natural gas service provider serving multiple states in the United States, including Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin. Our commitment revolves around delivering essential services to our valued customers. As a trailblazer in the industry, we were the first major US electricity provider with a visionary goal to achieve 100% carbon-free electricity by 2050 and an ambitious 80% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030, based on 2005 levels. Through innovative electric vehicle initiatives, we actively contribute to carbon reduction not only in our electricity generation but also in the transportation sector within the states we operate. Simultaneously, we remain devoted to ensuring cost-effectiveness for our customers by implementing advanced electricity rates and energy efficiency programs.

Industry

Utilities

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Minneapolis, MN, US

Year founded

1909