Director Project Engineering

American Electric Power; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 160,000 - 209,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Benefits package

Career development

Job summary

American Electric Power in Columbus, Ohio, seeks a Director of Project Engineering to lead the engineering organization overseeing renewable generation, acquisitions, and modernization across the generation portfolio.

You will guide project engineers from development to commissioning, ensure safety, efficiency, and adherence to budget, and drive governance and collaboration to deliver strategic capital programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering accredited by ABET.
• Registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) in any U.S. state.
• Requires a minimum of twelve years of experience in utility engineering with at least 5 years in direct supervision/management.
• Maintains safety as the highest priority and demonstrates ethical behavior.
• Demonstrates leadership to coordinate work of others and communicate effectively.
• Exhibits teamwork, strategic risk awareness, and focus on continuous improvement.
• Strong planning and organizational skills are required.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for a portfolio of renewable generation projects, battery energy storage, and major capital improvements at existing facilities.
• Direct engineering activities from development through commissioning and commercial operation.
• Align engineering resources with priorities, schedules, and capital objectives.
• Collaborate with Generation, Commercial Operations, Regulatory, Environmental, Supply Chain, Finance, and Project Management to execute capital programs.
• Establish governance, standards, and project execution processes for consistency and quality.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Project portfolio management

Engineering governance

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

ABET-accredited engineering degree

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Job description

The Director of Project Engineering is responsible for leading the engineering organization that develops and executes strategic generation capital projects across renewable energy, generation asset acquisitions, and major modernization projects at existing fossil generation facilities. This role provides leadership and oversight for project engineering activities throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring projects are delivered safely, reliably, on schedule, within budget, and in alignment with corporate growth and generation strategies.

The Director leads a team of Project Engineers responsible for supporting utility-scale renewable generation projects, acquisition integration activities, and complex capital investments across the company's generation portfolio.

Job Description

What You'll Do:

Essential Job Functions & Tasks

Project Portfolio Leadership

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for a portfolio of renewable generation projects, battery energy storage systems, generation asset acquisitions, environmental compliance projects, and major capital improvements at existing generating facilities.

• Provide strategic direction and oversight for engineering activities from project development through commissioning and commercial operation.

• Ensure alignment of engineering resources with business priorities, project schedules, and capital investment objectives.

• Partner with Generation, Commercial Operations, Regulatory, Environmental, Supply Chain, Finance, and Project Management organizations to successfully execute strategic capital programs.

• Establish and maintain engineering governance, standards, and project execution processes that promote consistency, quality, and accountability.

Organizational Leadership

• Establish workforce planning, succession management, and employee development strategies that build organizational capability and technical expertise.

• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.

• Provide leadership and executive support to resolve significant project issues, technical challenges, and strategic initiatives.

• Promote cross-functional collaboration and effective stakeholder engagement across the enterprise.

Measures of Success

• Safe execution of all engineering activities and projects.

• Successful delivery of renewable generation, acquisition integration, and major capital projects within approved scope, schedule, budget, and key milestone targets.

• Improved reliability, standardization, performance, and long-term value of generation assets.

• Effective integration of newly acquired generation facilities into the operating fleet.

• Onboarding, development, and retention of a high-performing project engineering organization.

• Consistent application of engineering standards, governance, and project execution best practices.

• Achievement of strategic business objectives supporting the company's generation growth and asset optimization strategies.

• Achievement of high levels of business partner and stakeholder satisfaction.

What We're Looking For:

Education requirements are listed below:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering in a program accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

• Registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) in any U.S. state is required.

Work Experience requirement listed below:

• Requires a minimum of twelve years of experience in utility engineering work which must include 5 years of direct supervision/ management of engineering resources.

• Maintains safety as the highest priority and demonstrates behaviors that support zero harm both at work and at home.

• Demonstrates the highest standards of ethical behavior and support the Company's Corporate Compliance Policy.

• Demonstrates leadership ability to effectively organize, direct, and coordinate the work of other personnel.

• Demonstrates ability to communicate effectively and present ideas clearly both orally and in writing, including making presentations and recommendations to senior management and external audiences.

• Exhibits strong teamwork skills which include collaboration.

• Demonstrates strategic risk-assessment, customer focus and business awareness to support technical decision making.

• Focuses on continuous improvement and employee development.

• Strong planning and organizational skills required.

What you’ll get:

In addition to a competitive compensation, AEP offers a unique comprehensive benefits package that aims to support and enhance the overall well-being of our employees.

Where Putting the Customer First Powers Everything We Do!

At AEP, we’re more than just an energy company — we’re a team of dedicated professionals committed to delivering safe, reliable, and innovative energy solutions. Guided by our mission to put the customer first, we strive to exceed expectations by listening, responding, and continuously improving the way we serve our communities. If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact and being part of a forward-thinking organization, this is the company for you!

Compensation Data

Compensation Grade:

SP20-011

Compensation Range:

$160,434.00 - $208,565.50

The Physical Demand Level for this job is: S - Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (Occasionally: activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently. (Frequently: activity or condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

It is hereby reaffirmed that it is the policy of American Electric Power (AEP) to provide Equal Employment Opportunity in all respects of the employer-employee relationship including recruiting, hiring, upgrading and promotion, conditions and privileges of employment, company sponsored training programs, educational assistance, social and recreational programs, compensation, benefits, transfers, discipline, layoffs and termination of employment to all employees and applicants without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, veteran or military status, disability, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. When required by law, we might record certain information or applicants for employment may be invited to voluntarily disclose protected characteristics.