Substation Engineer Jobs in Minnesota
Substation Engineer jobs in Minnesota concentrate around the Twin Cities metro, Duluth, and Rochester, where utilities and energy infrastructure firms maintain large transmission and distribution networks. Major employers with lasting Minnesota operations include Xcel Energy, Minnesota Power, and Great River Energy, all of which hire across protection and control engineering, relay settings, and high-voltage substation design. Demand runs from entry-level design roles up to senior project engineers overseeing capital build programs. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 27+ Substation Engineer jobs
INTRODUCTION
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. The below job summary 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, senior and principal engineer levels.
Position Summary
This position is 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-$86,667)
Minimum Requirements
- Required bachelor's degree in engineering from ABET accredited curriculum.
- 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.
- 2+ years 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Preferred
- Electrical Engineering degree preferred
Our Values
Connected, Committed, Trustworthy, Safe
Our Employee Commitments
- Work that makes a difference
- A team you can count on
- 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: $70,000.00 to $156,600.00 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: 10/15/26
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.
INTRODUCTION
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. The below job summary 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, senior and principal engineer levels.
Position Summary
This position is 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-$86,667)
Minimum Requirements
- Required bachelor's degree in engineering from ABET accredited curriculum.
- 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.
- 2+ years 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Preferred
- Electrical Engineering degree preferred
Our Values
Connected, Committed, Trustworthy, Safe
Our Employee Commitments
- Work that makes a difference
- A team you can count on
- 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: $70,000.00 to $156,600.00 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: 10/15/26
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.
See All 27 Substation Engineer Jobs in Minnesota
Find roles in Minnesota that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Substation Engineer JobsSubstation Engineer Jobs by City in Minnesota
Where Minnesota roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Substation Engineer Job Market in Minnesota
A snapshot from current Minnesota openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Energy
- Construction & Real Estate
- Automotive
What Minnesota Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in substation engineer jobs across Minnesota.
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a closely related field required
- Professional Engineer license issued or recognized by the Minnesota Board of AELSLAGID preferred
- Three or more years of substation design, protection, or commissioning experience
- Proficiency with AutoCAD, CYME, or similar electrical design and analysis software
- Familiarity with NERC reliability standards and applicable IEEE substation design guides
- Ability to work on energized or de-energized high-voltage equipment at field sites
Substation Engineer Jobs in Minnesota: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a substation engineer in Minnesota?
You start with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, then gain field or design experience in protection, control, or high-voltage systems. Licensure as a Professional Engineer through the Minnesota Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience, and Interior Design strengthens your standing significantly, especially for project-lead roles. Many Minnesota utilities and engineering consultancies expect or actively require PE licensure for senior substation positions.
Which companies hire substation engineers in Minnesota?
Minnesota substation engineer roles are posted by Sargent & Lundy, Black & Veatch, and WSP and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Minnesota's mix of investor-owned utilities, rural electric cooperatives, and engineering consulting firms means openings appear across a wider range of employer types than in many other states.
Which Minnesota cities have the most substation engineer jobs?
Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and Bloomington account for the largest share of substation engineer openings in Minnesota. The Twin Cities drive the bulk of postings because Xcel Energy's headquarters, major engineering consultancies, and transmission planning groups are all based there, while Duluth and other regional centers reflect the footprint of Minnesota Power and cooperative utility networks serving northern and rural parts of the state.
Are there remote substation engineer jobs in Minnesota?
Yes, but they're rare. Substation engineering is largely a field-oriented discipline requiring site visits, equipment commissioning, and hands-on relay testing, which limits full remote work. About 82% of substation engineer openings tied to Minnesota are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those tend to be study, planning, or CAD-heavy design roles rather than commissioning or protection-setting positions.
How can I get hired as a substation engineer in Minnesota with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to new-grad or associate engineer rotational programs at Minnesota's large utilities, particularly Xcel Energy and Minnesota Power, which both recruit electrical engineering graduates for structured development roles. Entry-level positions often carry titles like junior protection engineer, electrical designer, or substation design associate. Candidates coming from adjacent roles in electrical construction, relay technician work, or power systems coursework with a strong senior design project have a clear edge, as do those who have passed the Fundamentals of Engineering exam.
Where can I find and apply to substation engineer jobs in Minnesota?
Migrate Mate lists current substation engineer openings in Minnesota pulled from active employer postings. Search the roles available, find the ones that match your experience and location, and apply directly through each listing. No signup is required to search or view the openings.
See All 27 Substation Engineer Jobs in Minnesota
Find roles in Minnesota that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Substation Engineer Jobs