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Electric Transmission Development Engineer (Butte, MT Preferred; Other major Montana Service Locations may be considered)

NorthWestern Energy

Butte, MTFull-time$72–143K/yrSeen 5 days agoSeen in employer's feed 5 days ago

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At a glance

Compensation
$72–143K/yr
Location
Butte, MT
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
Not specified

Olive lists jobs from US employers, including remote roles you can work from the United States.

Requirements

Credentials this posting asks for.

Bachelor's degreeValid Driver's License

Job overview

The Electric Transmission Development Engineer supports planning and development of electric transmission and substation projects. The role provides engineering and technical support for feasibility studies, preliminary designs, economic evaluations, regulatory considerations, budgeting, and stakeholder coordination. The position is preferred in Butte, Montana, though other major Montana service locations may be considered, and requires travel up to 20%.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Organizational SkillsMultitaskingMicrosoft OfficeTeamworkIndependent WorkSafety PracticesInterpersonal CommunicationOral CommunicationWritten CommunicationTransmission DevelopmentSubstation DevelopmentTransmission EngineeringSubstation EngineeringTransmission ConstructionProject DevelopmentProject Management

Qualifications

Engineering Bachelor's DegreeValid Driver's LicenseSatisfactory Driving RecordP.E. Or Ability to ObtainEnergy Industry Fundamentals 2.0

Benefits

401(k) Match
Tuition Assistance
Paid Time Off
Parental Leave
Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance

Full job description

Butte, MT, USA | Planning, Development & Asset Management | Salary | 72000-143300 per year | Regular Full Time

Electric Transmission Development Engineer

Work Location: Butte, MT Preferred (Other major Montana Service Locations may be considered)

Requisition: 5097

Pay range: $72,000 to $143,300 per year

Employment Status: Regular Full-time

Posting: Open until filled

External candidates apply at northwesternenergy.com

Internal candidates apply through iConnect.

Job Specifications

The Electric Transmission Development Engineer supports the planning and development of electric transmission projects to enhance system capacity, reliability, and regional growth.

Position Summary

Provide engineering and technical support for electric transmission and substation development initiatives, including feasibility studies, preliminary designs, economic evaluations, regulatory considerations, project budgeting, and coordination with internal and external stakeholders to advance transmission projects.

Pay Range: $72,000 to $143,300 per year

Location: Butte, MT Preferred (Other major Montana Service Locations may be considered)

Essential Functions

  • Develop preliminary engineering plans and designs to support NorthWestern Energy's electric transmission capacity objectives

  • Perform engineering and economic analysis of multiple transmission development projects

  • Assist in the evaluation of transmission project cost and benefits analysis

  • Compile and write technical reports, estimates and development of project budgets

  • Develop & coordinate transmission & substation projects up to 500kV

  • Perform computer related functions such as engineering analysis, design, drawings, spreadsheets and database compilations

  • Assist in negotiating legal agreements related to transmission development

  • Assist in customer and landowner field investigations and transmission siting activities

  • Develop and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders

  • Job time is spent mostly in office environments with some time in field environments with exposure to all field hazards and weather

  • Travel up to 20% and extended overnight hours will be required

Additional Responsibilities

  • Adhere to NorthWestern Energy safety standards and the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

  • Ensure all actions are consistent with NorthWestern Energy's values, mission, and strategic business objectives

  • The ability to maintain regular, reliable, and punctual attendance is an essential function of this position, consistent with applicable laws and reasonable accommodation requirements

What Is Required

  • BS. degree in Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, Environmental is preferred)

  • Excellent organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple conflicting tasks and demands

  • Excellent computer skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite

  • Ability to work in a team environment and independently

  • Demonstrate and maintain a good safety record

  • Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills

  • Valid driver's license and satisfactory driving record

What Is Desired

  • Prior electric transmission or substation development experience

  • Experience in electric transmission or substation engineering and construction

  • Knowledge in Project Development and Project Management principles and fundamentals

  • P.E. or the ability to obtain P.E.

  • Get Into Energy - Energy Industry Fundamental 2.0 certification is a plus (https://getintoenergy.org/courses/energy-industry-fundamentals-2-0/) (click the link to certify at no cost)

This description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, duties, and requirements for employees in this position. Job descriptions may and do change periodically. Where positions are covered by a collective bargaining unit agreement, the terms and conditions of the agreement will apply.

About NorthWestern Energy

NorthWestern Energy is a fully regulated electric and natural gas utility serving Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska. We employ over 1,600 amazing people and serve over 800,000 customers who are our neighbors in our communities.

At NorthWestern Energy, you'll find more than a job. You'll find the opportunity to make a meaningful impact, grow your career, and be part of a company that values safety, teamwork, innovation, and service. Whether you're working in the field, supporting our customers, or helping shape our future, your work matters. Join us as we invest in our people, strengthen our communities, and build an energy company positioned for long-term success and growth.

Enjoy Our Comprehensive Benefits Package!

Competitive pay with performance-based wage increases and incentive opportunities, 401(k) with up to a 4% company match and up to a 7% non-elective company contribution, tuition reimbursement, paid time off starting on your first day plus 11 paid holidays, paid parental and bereavement leave, company-paid life insurance with additional coverage options, employee assistance and well-being programs, paid volunteer opportunities, training and development programs, and competitive medical, dental, vision, HSA and FSA benefits for employees and eligible dependents. Benefits may vary based on position or collective bargaining agreements.

Candidates must successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen, background check, health history questionnaire and a pre-employment physical may be required. If there is anything that may show up in these reports that may conflict with the position requirements, feel free to contact the NorthWestern Energy Human Resource team at [email protected]

NorthWestern Energy does not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the US.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other protected class in accordance with applicable federal or state laws and statutes. In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act, should you have a disability that requires assistance and/or reasonable accommodation with the job application process, please contact the Human Resources department at 1-800-245-6977 or at [email protected] .

How this job compares

Set against the 10,416 open Electrical Engineer jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 1, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$72–143K/yr
  • Montana median$105–160K/yr41 salary ranges
  • US median$107–170K/yr6,655 salary ranges

This range's midpoint, $108K, is 17% below the Montana median midpoint ($130K) — in the lowest quarter of Electrical Engineer salary ranges in Montana.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 51 open Electrical Engineer jobs in Montana and 10,416 across the US. 3% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most in Montana
Experience
Electrical Engineer postings that state a minimum ask for 5 years of experience at the median; the middle half ask for 3 to 8 years (8,684 postings).
Education
This posting asks for a bachelor's degree; 6,968 of the 10,416 open Electrical Engineer jobs (67%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 1, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.

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