Engineer Assc

American Electric Power; Columbus (OH); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 129,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Educational opportunities

Travel up to 25%

Job summary

American Electric Power in Columbus, Ohio seeks a Control Systems Engineer to maintain and upgrade major equipment and critical systems, including BMS, CCS, TCS, environmental controls, and SCADA.

You will troubleshoot, optimize, and ensure reliability of energy infrastructure with emphasis on safety and compliance. Travel and shift work may be required.

Qualifications

• Degree in mechanical, electrical, computer, or process engineering.
• Hands-on experience with DCS, PLC, and SCADA systems including major vendors.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills in complex environments.
• Familiarity with networks, protocols (Firewalls, Ethernet, Modbus, OPC) is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Manage OT Network and devices for system integration and communication.
• Implement cybersecurity best practices to safeguard control systems.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop safe, reliable control strategies.
• Support CEMS operations and opportunities for growth in this area.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Team collaboration

Strong communication

Data analysis

Problem solving

Documentation

Cybersecurity awareness

Education

Engineering degree (mechanical, electrical, computer, or process)

Tools

DCS

PLC

SCADA systems

AB Rockwell

Emerson Ovation

ABB Symphony

GE Mark VIe

Siemens

Job description

Job Summary

Control Systems Engineer

As a Control Systems Engineer, you will support Gas, Coal, and Renewable operations by maintaining and upgrading major equipment and critical systems, including Burner Management Systems (BMS), Combustion Control Systems (CCS), Turbine Control Systems (TCS), Environmental Control Systems, and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA). Your expertise in troubleshooting and optimization will ensure the reliability and efficiency of our energy infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage the Operational Technology (OT) Network and associated devices for seamless system integration and communication.
• Implement cybersecurity best practices to safeguard control systems from threats.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop safe, reliable, and compliant control strategies.
• Support Continuous Emissions Monitoring (CEMS) operations, with opportunities for career growth in this area.

Qualifications:

• Degree in mechanical, electrical, computer, or process engineering.
• Hands-on experience with any of the following: Distributed Control Systems (DCS), Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), and SCADA systems (e.g., AB Rockwell, Emerson Ovation, ABB Symphony, GE Mark VIe, Siemens, or Vestas is a plus).
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills in complex environments.
• Familiarity with network configuration, protocols (e.g., Firewalls, Ethernet, Modbus, OPC), and datalink setup is advantageous.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Solid grasp of control theory, including PID, adaptive, and model predictive control.
• Ability to interpret and create technical documentation (e.g., System Descriptions, SAMA logic diagrams, P&IDs, schematics).
• Experience with servers, thin clients, network equipment, and computer-based instrumentation is a plus.
• Understanding of cybersecurity principles for control systems.
• Data analysis skills to monitor and enhance system performance.
• Proficiency in MS Access, Excel, Word, SQL, SharePoint, or Visual Basic is a plus.
• Familiarity with CEMS, renewable energy systems (solar, battery, wind), or regulatory compliance is advantageous.
• Strong communication skills for team collaboration.

Working Conditions:

• Shift work (day/night) and overtime as needed.
• ~25% travel, including day trips and overnight stays (up to a week or more).
• Work in indoor/outdoor environments with exposure to heat, cold, noise, dust, fumes, and operating machinery.
• Mandatory safety gear at generating stations: hard hat, eye/hearing protection, steel-toed shoes with heels and non-slip soles.
• Adherence to site-specific safety requirements.

Join us to drive innovation in energy technology and shape a sustainable future.

You will be responsible to the assigned supervisor for performing entry level engineering work activities and projects requiring the application of engineering knowledge in a safe, effective, efficient and economic accomplishment of assigned objectives.

Responsible to the assigned supervisor for performing advance engineering work activities and projects requiring the application of engineering knowledge in a safe, effective, efficient and economic accomplishment of assigned objectives.

Compensation

$74,551.00 - $128,688.00

Physical Demands

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.

AEP culture statement

AEP offers an outstanding group of people to be a part of. The AEP culture values your integrity and awards your hard work.

About AEP

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 forwarding-thinking organization, this is the company for you!

AEP offers generous time off, competitive pay, and educational opportunities to help employees advance their careers.

Our culture is purpose-driven and team-oriented: we combine innovation with a customer-first focus to deliver reliable energy and brighter futures.