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Engineer I, Engineer II, Engineer III Grid Planning

Alliant Energy · Madison, WI · Full time

Posted May 26, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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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

Tell me about a technical study or project where your results surprised you. What did you do?

What they are checking: Whether they check their work and dig into unexpected results rather than accepting or dismissing them.

Which level, Engineer I, II or III, fits you best, and why?

What they are checking: Honest self-assessment of experience against the developmental progression in the posting.

Tell me about a time you learned a new technical area quickly.

What they are checking: Learning ability, which matters across a role that spans many experience levels.

What would you do

How would you explain a study finding to a project developer who wants a different answer?

What they are checking: Clear, firm communication of technical results to people with commercial interests.

You find an error in a study that has already been shared with others. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they correct their own mistakes openly and quickly, even when others have already used the results.

About the work

What does a grid planning engineer do, in your own words?

What they are checking: Whether they understand the work of studying system needs and planning generation, transmission and distribution.

Explain how adding a large solar or wind project affects the transmission system.

What they are checking: Grasp of power flow, thermal limits and voltage issues that new generation can create.

Which power system analysis tools have you used, such as PSS/E, PowerWorld or similar?

What they are checking: Hands-on study experience, which helps place them at Engineer I, II or III.

How do you identify and reduce risk in your engineering work?

What they are checking: Application of risk methods and regulations, which the posting lists as part of safety, risk and compliance.

What NERC planning standards do you know, and how do they affect planning studies?

What they are checking: Regulatory knowledge that shapes how planners test reliability.

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The full job description

As published by Alliant Energy.

Bring YOUR energy to Alliant Energy! At Alliant Energy, our purpose is to serve customers and build stronger communities. We are passionate about powering beyond the market challenges of today, while powering what's next in energy. When our employees say "I am energy", it means they take pride in the work we do when disaster strikes, as well as all the days in between. We want you to be safe, happy and healthy. That's why we prioritize safety, offer volunteer opportunities and provide competitive pay, comprehensive health and retirement benefits, tuition reimbursement and paid time off. Engineer I - Grid Planning, Engineer II - Grid Planning, Engineer III - Grid Planning: From early-career engineers to seasoned planning leaders, we’re building our Grid Planning team—join us at the level that fits your experience and help design the grid of tomorrow. ***This position can be hired as either an Engineer I Grid Planning, Engineer II Grid Planning or an Engineer III Grid Planning depending on experience*** What you will do • What You Will Do (Developmental Progression) Safety, Risk & Compliance • Foundational: Learns and follows safety standards; develops awareness of risk and regulatory requirements. • Intermediate: Identifies and mitigates unsafe conditions, applies risk methodologies, and interprets regulations to address system issues. • Advanced: Leads safety and compliance efforts, proactively mitigates complex risks, and influences standards and practices. Customer Focus & Problem Solving • Foundational: Learns customer needs and supports identification of basic issues and solutions. • Intermediate: Proactively identifies and resolves moderately complex problems aligned to customer needs. • Advanced: Anticipates needs and leads resolution of complex system and operational challenges. Communication, Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement • Foundational: Builds relationships and develops communication skills with support. • Intermediate: Communicates technical concepts clearly, facilitates discussions, and collaborates across teams. • Advanced: Leads stakeholder engagement, influences decisions, and drives alignment across functions. Technical Application, Standards & Continuous Improvement • Foundational: Applies engineering standards and processes to solve routine problems with guidance. • Intermediate: Applies standards independently and recommends process improvements. • Advanced: Leads technical direction, shapes standards, and drives continuous improvement initiatives. Planning, Financial & Work Management • Foundational: Learns budgeting, planning, and basic financial concepts (capital vs. O&M). • Intermediate: Supports budgeting and multi-year planning; develops moderately complex scopes of work with cost, sequencing, and prioritization. • Advanced: Leads planning and budgeting efforts, manages complex scopes, and guides investment decisions. Systems Analysis, Modeling & Technical Studies • Foundational: Learns system modeling tools and performs basic analyses with support. • Intermediate: Builds moderately complex models and supports technical studies, including interconnection and power quality. • Advanced: Leads complex system analysis, modeling, and technical decision-making. Agreements, Projects & Organizational Contribution • Foundational: Develops understanding of agreements, project processes, and team roles. • Intermediate: Supports development of agreements, contributes to cross-functional work, and executes moderately complex projects. • Advanced: Leads agreement development, cross-functional initiatives, and delivers strategic outcomes aligned to organizational goals. Requirements: Engineer III Grid Planning: • Bachelor's Degree Engineering program that is accredited through the Engineering Accreditation Commission Required • 5 years of related experience Engineer II Grid Planning: • Bachelor's Degree Engineering program that is accredited through the Engineering Accreditation Commission Required • 2 years of related experience Engineer I Grid Planning: • Bachelor's Degree Engineering program that is accredited through the Engineering Accreditation Commission Required Preferred Experience: • Project management experience, along with ability to deal with subcontractors and cross-functional teams; may have expertise in a particular area of the discipline. • Previous technical and/or professional experience • An internship or co-op in engineering Key Skills • Cost Optimization • Data Analysis • Feasibility Studies • Grid Interconnection Studies • Power Engineering • Power Flow Analysis and Modeling • Power Systems Performance Monitoring • Power Systems Planning • Short Circuit Simulation and Analysis • Standards Compliance • Transient Analysis Our people are passionate about what they do, the product they sell, and the customers they serve. If you're looking for an opportunity to be a part of a work family that values collaboration, innovation and dedication, we're the right company for you. Alliant Energy offers a comprehensive total rewards package including competitive compensation and benefit programs. Information on these benefit programs is available on our Careers site. Pay Range: This position is eligible to participate in the annual incentive program. The final salary offered will generally fall within this range and is dependent on various factors including but not limited to the responsibilities of the position, experience, skill set, internal pay equity and other relevant qualifications of the applicant. It's not just what we do; it's how we do it. Live Safety. Everyone. Always | Make Things Better | Care For Others | Do The Right Thing | Act For Tomorrow | Think Beyond. Be Bold Alliant Energy and its subsidiaries are committed to creating a culture of belonging and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where an applicant's qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis prohibited by law. All candidates selected for employment with Alliant Energy will be required to successfully complete a background check, and a drug screen where applicable. Disclaimer: The above information on this description has been crafted to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not crafted to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Applicants in need of a reasonable accommodation for any part of the hiring process, please email talent@alliantenergy.com .

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