Nuclear Development Licensing Engineer (Sr. - Principal)

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

Job summary

American Electric Power seeks a Senior Nuclear Licensing Engineer to lead and support NRC license applications and regulatory submittals under 10 CFR Parts 50, 52, and 53. The role integrates licensing with engineering, design, safety analysis, and project development.

You will provide licensing leadership across teams, develop engagement plans, and help drive schedules while managing regulatory risk and stakeholder communications.

Qualifications

• Four or more years of related engineering experience with a Bachelor's degree in engineering.
• Master's degree or PhD with two years of related experience is acceptable.
• PE license is encouraged and preferred.
• Strong knowledge of NRC regulations and licensing processes.

Responsibilities

• Develops and applies advanced NRC regulations and licensing processes.
• Leads or coordinates licensing activities and supports licensing strategies and schedules.
• Plans licensing activities to align with project milestones and interacts with cross-functional teams.
• Identifies regulatory issues and develops licensing positions with engineering input.
• Prepares and communicates licensing information to leadership and regulators.

Skills

Nuclear licensing

Regulatory engineering

NRC regulations

Licensing leadership

Licensing strategy

Education

ABET-accredited Bachelor's degree in engineering

ABET-accredited Master's degree or PhD in engineering

Job description

Job Posting End Date11-09-2026Please note the job posting will close on the day before the posting end date.Job SummaryResponsible to the assigned supervisor for performing advanced nuclear licensing and regulatory engineering activities in support of the development, preparation, review, and maintenance of license applications and regulatory submittals to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in accordance with 10 CFR Parts 50, 52, and 53 and other applicable regulatory requirements. Applies advanced engineering and regulatory knowledge to integrate licensing requirements with engineering, design, safety analysis, project development, and stakeholder activities for advanced nuclear projects.Job DescriptionWhat You’ll Do:Technical & Regulatory Expertise:Develops and applies advanced knowledge of NRC regulations, regulatory guidance, licensing processes, and nuclear industry standards applicable to advanced nuclear development. Supports development, preparation, review, and maintenance of NRC license applications and regulatory submittals under 10 CFR Parts 50, 52, and 53, as applicable. Interprets regulatory requirements and works with engineering and project teams to establish licensing requirements, strategies, and supporting technical information.Licensing Leadership & Guidance:Provides licensing guidance to engineering, project, and business teams and serves as a technical resource on NRC licensing matters. Leads or coordinates assigned licensing activities and supports development and execution of project licensing strategies, regulatory engagement plans, and licensing schedules.Planning & Organization Ability:Plans and coordinates licensing activities required to support project milestones and NRC submittals. Integrates licensing deliverables with engineering, design, safety analysis, environmental, siting, project controls, and other project activities. Identifies regulatory dependencies and supports development of licensing schedules, deliverables, responsibilities, and resource requirements.Problem Solving & Initiative:Identifies and resolves complex licensing and regulatory issues involving multiple engineering disciplines and project organizations. Evaluates regulatory requirements, precedents, guidance, and project-specific technical information to develop practical licensing positions and approaches. Identifies emerging regulatory issues and evaluates their potential impact on project scope, schedule, and licensing strategy.Communication:Prepares, reviews, and supports presentation of technical and regulatory information for NRC license applications, regulatory submittals, meetings, audits, and other interactions. Communicates complex licensing issues clearly and accurately to project leadership, engineering organizations, regulators, vendors, and other stakeholders. Supports preparation of responses to NRC requests for additional information and other regulatory correspondence.Interpersonal Skills:Develops effective working relationships across AEP and with reactor technology vendors, architect-engineers, consultants, legal counsel, industry organizations, and regulatory agencies. Coordinates across technical disciplines to produce complete, consistent, and defensible licensing deliverables.Decision Making:Applies engineering judgment and regulatory knowledge to evaluate licensing issues, requirements, and potential courses of action. Makes or recommends decisions within assigned authority based on regulatory requirements, technical information, project objectives, and licensing risk. Escalates issues with significant regulatory, safety, cost, or schedule implications.Business Awareness & Characteristics:Understands the relationship between licensing strategy, plant design, project execution, schedule, cost, and commercial objectives for advanced nuclear development. Supports licensing approaches that meet regulatory requirements while enabling efficient project development and execution.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 four (4) or more years of related engineering experience along with a Bachelor's degree in engineering in a program accredited 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.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 programWhat You’ll Get:In addition to 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)#AEPCareers#LI-ONSITECompensation DataCompensation Grade:SP20-008Compensation Range:$98,993.00 - $151,132.00The 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.Hear about it first! Get job alerts by email. Log in to your Candidate Home Account today! If you don't have an account, you can create one.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.