Jobs › Xcel Energy

Distribution Designer I, II, or Senior

Xcel Energy · Phillips, WI · $29.40–$54.53 an hour · Full time

Posted Sep 29, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

Apply at Xcel Energy

Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

How do you manage several design projects with different customers and deadlines?

What they are checking: Whether they can run their own project load as the posting expects of an intermediate designer.

Tell me about a design that ran into trouble in the field. What did you change?

What they are checking: Whether they learn from construction feedback and design for buildability.

What would you do

A customer's contractor keeps changing their plans after your design is done. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they can manage scope changes clearly while keeping the relationship cooperative.

How do you explain to a customer why their project will cost more or take longer than they hoped?

What they are checking: Whether they deliver bad news clearly and honestly while helping the customer plan.

How would you serve customers across a large rural territory from Phillips?

What they are checking: Whether they can plan travel and coordinate with crews over a wide service area.

About the work

Walk me through how you'd design power service for a new commercial customer.

What they are checking: Whether they can handle load calculations, transformer sizing, routing and cost estimates.

How do you decide between overhead and underground construction for a project?

What they are checking: Whether they weigh cost, reliability, customer needs, terrain and local requirements.

How do you account for easements, right-of-way and permits in your designs?

What they are checking: Whether they know the property and permitting steps that can stall construction.

What design or mapping software have you used, such as GIS or work management systems?

What they are checking: Whether they can produce designs in the tools a utility uses.

How do you stay safe and accurate during field visits to measure and stake a job?

What they are checking: Whether they understand site safety around energized equipment and accurate field data.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Xcel Energy from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by Xcel Energy.

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 Intermediate level design position that provides new and existing commercial, industrial, residential, and internal customers with distribution design project management for most areas of design. 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 for construction personnel and act as the liaison between the construction department and customers. 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 standards and interpret administrative instructions for consistent and cost-effective designs. Provide distribution design project management for most areas of design, limited only to the most 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. • 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. • Represent the Company with government officials, contractors, city agencies, vendors, architects, and engineers to provide service to customers. **THIS ROLE CAN BE HIRED AT ANY OF THE LEVELS BELOW** Distribution Designer I - ($29.40 to $41.13 ) Minimum Requirements • 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 knowledge. • Working knowledge of one or more of the following: GIS, design software, work management programs, and related systems desirable. • Knowledge of and ability to use Windows operating system and Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, Access, etc.) • Self-starter, able to work with minimum supervision. • Driver's License may be required. Distribution Designer II - ($33.90 to $47.43) Minimum Requirements • 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. Senior Distribution Designer - ($39.00 to $54.53) Minimum Requirements • 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 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. 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: $29.40 to $54.53 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: 10/12/26 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.

Apply at Xcel Energy