Plant Engineer - Plant Engineer Senior

SouthWestern Electric Power Co; Texas; On-site; USD 88,000 - 129,000; Full time

Job summary

SouthWestern Electric Power Co. seeks a Plant Engineer to provide technical leadership and support for safe, reliable, and efficient plant operation.

You will lead performance monitoring, troubleshoot equipment, manage changes, and work with operations, maintenance, vendors, and regulatory agencies. The role emphasizes project execution, capital support, and adherence to regulatory codes such as NERC, with opportunities for career advancement across grade levels.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering ABET-accredited with 2+ years related engineering experience, or military equivalent.
• Master's degree in engineering from ABET-accredited program may qualify for entry at this level.
• Alternative: bachelor's in engineering (non-ABET) plus master's or PhD from ABET program; or bachelor's in engineering technology.
• VP or above may waive the degree requirement from non-ABET program.
• Strong troubleshooting, root cause analysis, equipment reliability, and plant performance improvement.

Responsibilities

• Provide engineering support and technical execution for plant operations and maintenance by diagnosing equipment and system issues, supporting startup and shutdown activities, and implementing timely corrective actions.
• Perform structured troubleshooting and root cause analysis for equipment failures and performance issues, developing practical solutions that improve system reliability and minimize recurrence.
• Monitor and analyze plant operating data, including turbine and auxiliary system performance, to identify performance gaps and improvement opportunities impacting availability, heat rate, and efficiency.
• Support and execute reliability and condition monitoring programs (e.g., vibration analysis, thermography, oil analysis, controls diagnostics), ensuring accurate data interpretation and follow-through on identified issues.
• Maintain configuration control and technical documentation, including drawings, procedures, engineering records, and Management of Change documentation, ensuring accuracy and compliance with plant standards.
• Coordinate and support capital projects, modifications, and maintenance activities, working closely with vendors, contractors, and internal teams to ensure work is completed safely and in accordance with engineering requirements.
• Support compliance with regulatory and code requirements (e.g., NERC, pressure systems), including monitoring, documentation, and audit readiness activities.
• Contribute to plant performance improvement by providing data-driven insights and recommendations to plant leadership, supporting safe, reliable, and efficient operations.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Root cause analysis

Equipment reliability

Control systems

Instrumentation

Performance monitoring

Project management

Data analysis

Microsoft Office

Education

ABET-accredited engineering degree

Master's degree in engineering

Engineering technology degree

Job description

Job Summary

The Plant Engineer provides technical leadership and engineering support to ensure safe, reliable, efficient, and compliant operation of the power plant. This role is responsible for plant performance monitoring, equipment reliability, troubleshooting, configuration control, project execution, and regulatory compliance, while serving as a key member of the plant leadership team and partnering closely with operations, maintenance, vendors, and regulatory agencies.

Job Description

What you'll do: Essential Job Functions & Tasks Provide engineering support and technical execution for plant operations and maintenance by diagnosing equipment and system issues, supporting startup and shutdown activities, and implementing timely corrective actions. Perform structured troubleshooting and root cause analysis for equipment failures and performance issues, developing practical solutions that improve system reliability and minimize recurrence. Monitor and analyze plant operating data, including turbine and auxiliary system performance, to identify performance gaps and improvement opportunities impacting availability, heat rate, and efficiency. Support and execute reliability and condition monitoring programs (e.g., vibration analysis, thermography, oil analysis, controls diagnostics), ensuring accurate data interpretation and follow-through on identified issues. Maintain configuration control and technical documentation, including drawings, procedures, engineering records, and Management of Change documentation, ensuring accuracy and compliance with plant standards. Coordinate and support capital projects, modifications, and maintenance activities, working closely with vendors, contractors, and internal teams to ensure work is completed safely and in accordance with engineering requirements. Support compliance with regulatory and code requirements (e.g., NERC, pressure systems), including monitoring, documentation, and audit readiness activities. Contribute to plant performance improvement by providing data-driven insights and recommendations to plant leadership, supporting safe, reliable, and efficient operations.

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 Plant Engineer level, with increased educational, skill or experience requirements for higher level Plant Engineers.

What We're Looking For

Education and Work Experience requirements are listed below: Bachelor's degree in engineering in a program accredited by ABET along with two or more years of related engineering experience, or military equivalent. Individuals with a master's degree in engineering from an engineering program accredited by ABET may be considered for entry into the organization at this level. Acceptable alternative is: (1) a 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. (2) bachelor's degree in engineering technology. **VP or above may waive the requirement for a degree from a university with a non-ABET accredited program

• Strong technical background in troubleshooting, root cause analysis, equipment reliability, and plant performance improvement.
• Experience with control systems, instrumentation, and performance monitoring tools used to optimize plant efficiency and availability.
• Proven ability to manage engineering projects, coordinate with contractors and vendors, and support plant operations and maintenance.
• Knowledge of applicable industry codes and standards and the ability to develop technical documentation, procedures, and reports.
• Strong analytical, communication, and organizational skills, with proficiency in Microsoft Office and technical reporting.

Licenses/Certifications: Professional Engineer (P.E.) license Preferred

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: SP20-007

Compensation Range: $87,633.00 - $128,688.00

Physical Demand Level

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.