Plant Engineer: Reliability, Performance & Compliance Lead

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

Job summary

American Electric Power is seeking a Plant Engineer to deliver technical leadership and engineering support for safe, reliable, and efficient plant operations. You will monitor performance, improve reliability, troubleshoot issues, and maintain documentation while coordinating with operations, maintenance, and vendors.

The role requires an ABET-accredited engineering degree with 2+ years of experience (or a related advanced degree) and may include a path to Senior level responsibilities.

Qualifications

• ABET-accredited engineering degree with two+ years of related engineering experience or military equivalent.
• Master's degree in engineering may be considered for entry at Plant Engineer Sr level.
• Alternative: non-ABET bachelor with ABET master's or PhD; or bachelor in engineering technology; VP or above may waive degree requirements.

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

Plant performance

Control systems

Instrumentation

Performance monitoring

Microsoft Office

Education

ABET-accredited engineering degree

Master's degree in engineering

Non-ABET bachelor + ABET master/PhD

Job description

American Electric Power is seeking a Plant Engineer to deliver technical leadership and engineering support for safe, reliable, and efficient plant operations. You will monitor performance, improve reliability, troubleshoot issues, and maintain documentation while coordinating with operations, maintenance, and vendors.

The role requires an ABET-accredited engineering degree with 2+ years of experience (or a related advanced degree) and may include a path to Senior level responsibilities.