Principal Network Solution Lead

Xcel Energy

. Serve as senior technical and business advisor for enterprise communications infrastructure, wireless technologies, and wide-area networking solutions .

Posted 11/3/2026full-timeDenver • Colorado • United StatesSenior💰 $129,000 - $183,200 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in enterprise communications infrastructure, wireless technologies, and wide-area networking solutions, with a strong focus on strategic leadership, operational oversight, and innovative solution delivery. Proven ability to align technology with business objectives while driving continuous improvement and managing cross-functional partnerships.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Enterprise Networking ExpertiseStrategic Planning and ExecutionProject Delivery Practices (SDLC, Agile, Waterfall)Vendor ManagementHybrid WAN Solution Design

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Enterprise Communications InfrastructureWireless TechnologiesWide-Area Networking SolutionsOperational Technology (OT)Digital TransformationLean MethodologySix SigmaSCADA SystemsNetwork DesignCybersecurity Standards

Soft Skills

Excellent Communication SkillsRelationship ManagementCollaboration SkillsProblem-Solving SkillsCoaching and Mentoring

Tools & Technologies

SD-WANCarrier Ethernet/MPLSPrivate LTEMicrowave ConnectivityCommercial LTE/5GField Mobility SolutionsDecision MatricesArchitecture Standards

Industry Keywords

Utility CommunicationsTelecommunicationsInfrastructure ArchitectureCritical InfrastructureEnergy Sector

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Cyber SecuritySDLC

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Serve as senior technical and business advisor for enterprise communications infrastructure, wireless technologies, and wide-area networking solutions
Provide strategic leadership, architecture guidance, technology roadmaps, and operational oversight for utility communications systems
Support business operations, field workforce mobility, operational technology (OT), and utility-critical infrastructure
Partner with business leaders, engineering teams, operations organizations, vendors, and architecture groups
Align communications technologies with enterprise strategy, operational resiliency, cybersecurity standards, and long-term investment objectives
Evaluate emerging technologies and drive modernization initiatives
Reduce operational risk and deliver innovative solutions supporting utility operations and digital transformation
Partner with business areas, customers, and stakeholders to understand needs and opportunities
Establish and develop collaborative partnerships with internal partners
Provide coaching and work direction to less experienced team members
Lead end-to-end solution lifecycle from strategic planning through demand management, delivery, and operation
Ensure solutions provide strong user experience and operational performance
Drive deployment speed and continuous delivery
Assess operational health, customer satisfaction, total cost of operation, opportunities, and risks
Represent business partners and stakeholders in strategic planning and investment prioritization
Align maintenance activities and schedules with stakeholders
Ensure delivery practices continuously integrate operational functions
Provide escalated support to restore service disruptions
Monitor industry and technology trends to improve solution delivery practices and customer satisfaction

Requirements

What you’ll need

Ten years of related functional experience
Bachelor's degree in Technology, Science, Business or related field, or 4 years of experience equivalent to the position
Excellent communication skills, effective with varying organizational levels and skill set, and able to translate between technical and non-technical concepts
Excellent relationship management and collaboration skills, with a track record of working cross-organizationally to drive innovation and business results
Experience with Project or Product delivery practices, including SDLC, Agile and Waterfall
Demonstrated ability to recommend innovative solutions for complex business requirements
Ability to drive continuous improvement through lean, agile, six sigma
In-depth knowledge of end-to-end process and system capabilities, industry standards and emerging technologies and methods
Expertise in technical, functional, and operational details of respective solutions
Excellent problem-solving skills
Ability to build functional and technical subject matter expertise, process and tools expertise, and drive consistency in processes
Experience with strategic planning, demand management, execution, and operation of IT solutions
Experience with contract and vendor management
In-depth expertise on core IT components within the respective domain
Preferred: ten or more years of progressive experience in enterprise networking, telecommunications, infrastructure architecture or a related discipline
Preferred: experience designing hybrid WAN solutions incorporating private fiber/OPGW, carrier Ethernet/MPLS, microwave, commercial LTE/5G, Private LTE, SD-WAN, and satellite connectivity
Preferred: understanding of IT/OT network integration and critical-infrastructure use cases, including SCADA, teleprotection, metering, voice, security and field mobility
Preferred: ability to develop architecture standards, reference designs, decision matrices and repeatable implementation patterns
Preferred: experience incorporating resiliency, path diversity, availability, latency, bandwidth, cybersecurity, segmentation, and encryption requirements into network designs
Preferred: experience carrying solutions through engineering validation, field deployment, testing, documentation, and operational handoff
Preferred: ability to influence Architecture, Engineering, Cybersecurity, Field Operations, OT/business organizations, sourcing, carriers, and technology vendors
Preferred: ability to evaluate technical alternatives using reliability, risk, lifecycle, deployment velocity, capital investment and recurring operating expense
Preferred: strong written and verbal communication skills, including presenting technology roadmaps, business cases and investment recommendations to senior leaders
Preferred: utility, energy, telecommunications or other critical-infrastructure experience and relevant advanced networking, security or architecture credentials

Benefits

Comp & perks

Annual Incentive Program
Medical/Pharmacy Plan
Dental
Vision
Life Insurance
Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
Health Care Flexible Spending 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
Hybrid work model supporting collaboration and flexibility
Opportunities to grow and expand skills
Rewards, recognition, and support for career development