Engineer (Sr. - Principal) | NEW GENERATION Projects & Interconnection

American Electric Power Co.; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 99,000 - 151,000; Full time

Job summary

AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER in Columbus, OH seeks an experienced Engineer (Sr. - Principal) to advance New Generation Projects & Interconnection.

You will provide technical leadership for the development, evaluation, and grid integration of gas, wind, solar, and storage facilities, and you will craft owner requirements and RFP materials for generation projects. You’ll coordinate interconnection activities, perform planning studies, and collaborate with multiple teams and external entities to ensure

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from an ABET-accredited program.
• 4+ years of related engineering experience with a Bachelor's degree.
• Master's or PhD in engineering with ABET accreditation is accepted.
• PE registration encouraged and preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and guidance to engineers within the group.
• Lead and coordinate work activities across teams, ensuring compliance with policies and regulations.
• Develop owner specifications, design criteria, and RFP materials for generation projects.
• Evaluate bids, project designs, equipment suppliers, and wind/solar resource assessments; document risks and recommendations.
• Support site screening, interconnection planning, and RTO processes; develop interconnection agreements.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to deliver timely, technically sound work products.

Skills

Technical expertise

Leadership

Planning & organization

Problem solving

Communication

Decision making

Business awareness

Education

ABET-accredited Electrical Engineering

Master's or PhD in engineering (ABET)

PE license encouraged

Job description

Engineer (Sr. - Principal) | NEW GENERATION Projects & Interconnection

Location: Columbus, OH

Job Summary

The New Generation Projects & Interconnection Engineer provides technical support for the development, evaluation, and grid integration of new gas, wind, solar, and energy storage facilities. The engineer develops owner requirements and RFP technical documents, performs proposal and equipment due diligence, supports generation siting and RTO interconnection activities, and conducts electrical planning studies for new and operating generation assets.

Job Description

What You’ll Do:

• Technical Expertise: Exhibits journey level proficiency plus advanced knowledge that enables the engineer to serve as a leader within the assigned organization. Keeps abreast of new products, developments, technologies, procedures and equipment. Understands and analyzes interrelationships between systems and component equipment. Interprets codes and regulations, and develops standards relevant to the area of assignment.

• Leadership & Guidance: Provides guidance and exercises judgment and discretion in providing guidance and direction to other Engineers. Leads, facilitates and coordinates work activities of others within the work group, team, department, corporate entity, or those external to the company as required to perform all routine engineering work. Ensures all work activities are performed in accordance with the policies, practices, standards and rules of the company and complies with the regulations and procedures required by external agencies. Promotes engineering professionalism and standards. Coordinates and conducts training sessions.

• Planning & Organization Ability: Participates in the development of plans by establishing measurable goals, objectives and requirements for specific areas of responsibility. Coordinates the development of input necessary to establish projected cost of all projects. Is proficient in use of scheduling techniques (CPM, PERT, flow charts, etc.) for budget and planning activities. Identifies and initiates appropriate corrective action when objectives are not being met.

• Problem Solving & Initiative: Identifies, clarifies, resolves, and initiates solutions to routine and/or complex problems that sometimes involve analysis of inadequate or conflicting data. Demonstrates the ability to divide problems into component steps. Consistently looks for and develops opportunities and presents new ideas and approaches.

• Communication: Coordinates the work of other engineers in an efficient and effective manner. Develops, reviews or prepares reports on complex technical subjects clearly, concisely and effectively, in a manner suitable for presentation to management, professional societies, regulatory bodies, etc. Leads and facilitates meetings effectively. Interpersonal Skills: Possess collaborative and consensus building skills. Functions as a team leader and member. Networks upward and downward in several disciplines inside and outside the AEP system. Leverages network to get things done.

• Decision Making: Makes decisions affecting plans and goals based on analysis of uncertain input and outcomes. Uses diverse approaches to make decisions in the absence of a definite framework or where few precedents exist. Can handle conflicting interests related to approaches on projects or studies. Analyzes options and risks and possesses the experience and knowledge to assess the risk of decisions and act accordingly. Makes decisions that affect the operations or results of the department and may have some impact on a major project.

• Business Awareness & Characteristics: Exhibits an awareness of AEP's competitive position and how business decisions impact their organizational unit. Understands the specific goals and objectives of their individual organizational unit and is proficient in establishing measurable goals and objectives. Effectively manages project budgets using cost management techniques and understands how their decisions and recommendations impact AEP's expenses and revenues. Demonstrates an awareness of profit incentives, optimizing growth of customers' businesses and using our services to attract new business.

Note: This position is posted at multiple grade levels and offers a range of opportunities for advancement. The minimum qualifications outlined below apply to the Engineer Sr. level, with increased educational, skill or experience requirements for higher level Engineers.

What We’re Looking For:

Education and Experience requirements are listed below:

• Has typically acquired 4 or more years of related engineering experience along with a Bachelor's degree in engineering in a program accredited by ABET*; OR,
• Two (2) years of related engineering experience along with a Master's degree or PhD in engineering from a program accredited by ABET*
• Registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) in any U.S. state or Puerto Rico** is encouraged and preferred.
• *ABET - Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.
• Individuals with a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Technology can satisfy this degree requirement, if they obtain a certified Professional Engineering (PE) license.

Acceptable alternatives are:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering (non-ABET) plus a Master's degree or PhD in engineering from a university with an ABET accredited Bachelor's program. ** Confirmation is required to ensure the PE obtained in Puerto Rico aligns with NCEES standards.
• **VP or above may waive the requirement for a degree from a university with a Non-ABET accredited program.

Other:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering discipline.
• Working knowledge of power generation technologies, electric power systems, and utility or RTO generator interconnection processes.
• Ability to interpret engineering studies, drawings, specifications, proposals, contracts, and regulatory or reliability requirements.
• Strong analytical, project coordination, technical writing, and communication skills.
• Relevant utility, consulting, power plant, project development, or interconnection experience is preferred; Engineer-in-Training or Professional Engineer credential is a plus.
• Develop owner specifications, design criteria, scopes of work, and technical RFP materials for generation projects.
• Evaluate bids, project designs, equipment suppliers, and wind and solar resource assessments; document technical risks and recommendations.
• Support site screening, generation interconnection planning, RTO application processes, and the development and review of generator interconnection agreements.
• Perform or coordinate plant/transmission interface, voltage regulation, transformer tap, excitation limit, arc-flash, and short-circuit analyses.
• Provide technical support related to FERC requirements and applicable NERC policies and standards.
• Coordinate with project teams, consultants, equipment suppliers, transmission organizations, and internal stakeholders to deliver timely, technically sound work products.

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!

AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER (on-site)

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Compensation

$98,993.00 - $151,132.00

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.

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Details

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

In this role, you'll be responsible to the assigned manager for performing intermediate 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 entry level engineering work activities and projects requiring the application of engineering knowledge in a safe, effective, efficient and economic accomplishment of assigned objectives.

A P&C Field Technologist Associate is responsible for performing work associated with the programming, operation, testing and maintenance of fundamental protection and control devices and related equipment. P&C’s primary focus is understanding control circuitry and utilizing computer-based testing and analysis of devices and equipment that includes, but is not limited to, digital relays, electromechanical relays, intelligent electronic devices, Station Disturbance Recorders (SDR), Digital Fault Recorders (DFR), system event recorders, Remote Terminal Units (RTU’s) and station SCADA systems (dispatcher remote control systems), statistical load metering, telemetering and potential/current transducers. Additionally, will maintain and operate all power line carriers (PLC), tone, pilot wire, fiber and associated P&C communications over the power grid network. Within the discipline of P&C, will occasionally respond to emergency callouts at electrical substations and coordinate prompt restoration of service to customers as required. This list is not intended to limit assignment of work or the degree of supervision under all operating conditions. Employee may perform miscellaneous, related, and incidental work in addition to that specifically outlined below.

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.