Power Quality Engineer - Principal

American Electric Power Co.; South Bend (IN); On-site; USD 99,000 - 151,000; Full time

Job summary

American Electric Power Co. is seeking an experienced engineer to provide advanced power quality expertise and support for distribution system performance and customer reliability concerns.

You will investigate complex power quality issues, analyze data from SCADA/AMI, and collaborate across Engineering, Operations, Customer Service, and external customers to deliver safe, reliable, and cost-effective electric service.

Qualifications

• ABET-accredited Bachelor's degree in engineering with related experience.
• Master's degree may qualify for entry at Engineer level.
• PE license or path to PE is acceptable for some levels.

Responsibilities

• Investigate advanced power quality issues and improve system performance.
• Provide technical leadership to engineers, ops, and customer service.
• Plan and manage multiple investigations and cost estimates.
• Communicate findings clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Collaborate with customers and external partners to mitigate issues.

Skills

Power quality

Distribution systems

Root cause analysis

Engineering judgment

Technical leadership

Education

ABET-accredited Bachelor's degree in engineering

Master's degree in engineering

PE license or eligibility

Tools

SCADA systems

AMI data

IEEE/ANSI/NEC standards

Job description

Job Summary

Responsible to the assigned supervisor for providing advanced engineering expertise related to power quality, distribution system performance, customer reliability concerns, and electrical system troubleshooting.

Job Description

This position serves as a technical resource for investigating and resolving complex power quality issues, supporting customer needs, improving system performance, and collaborating across Engineering, Operations, Customer Service, and external customers to deliver safe, reliable, and cost-effective electric service. The position requires the application of sound engineering judgment, independent decision-making, and extensive knowledge of utility distribution systems and power quality principles.

What you’ll do:

Technical Expertise

• Possesses advanced knowledge of electric distribution systems, power quality principles, system protection, voltage regulation, harmonics, flicker, voltage sags, transient events, and reliability performance.
• Independently performs engineering analyses and technical investigations associated with customer power quality concerns and system performance issues.
• Utilizes monitoring equipment, outage data, SCADA systems, relay records, AMI data, and engineering models to identify root causes and develop solutions.
• Serves as a subject matter expert in the application of industry standards, including IEEE, ANSI, NEC, and utility-specific practices related to power quality and service reliability.
• Evaluates customer equipment interactions with the electric system and develops recommendations to improve service performance and customer experience.

Leadership & Guidance

• Provides technical leadership and guidance to engineers, operations personnel, customer service representatives, and field employees regarding power quality concerns and solutions.
• Leads cross-functional initiatives designed to improve customer satisfaction, power quality performance, and operational efficiency.
• Acts as a technical liaison with commercial, industrial, governmental, and critical infrastructure customers to communicate findings, explain technical issues, and recommend mitigation strategies.

Planning & Organization

• Plans, prioritizes, and manages multiple power quality investigations, system improvement initiatives, and customer requests simultaneously.
• Develops project scopes, schedules, engineering recommendations, and cost estimates associated with corrective actions and system enhancements.
• Identifies trends and recurring issues through data analysis and proactively recommends improvements that enhance distribution system performance and customer reliability.

Problem Solving & Initiative

• Leads the investigation and resolution of complex power quality concerns involving voltage fluctuations, harmonics, interruptions, transient events, distributed energy resources, and customer equipment performance issues.
• Applies advanced engineering judgment to evaluate alternatives, determine root causes, and develop practical and cost-effective solutions.
• Continuously seeks opportunities to improve processes, customer communication, monitoring capabilities, and engineering practices.

Communication

• Prepares comprehensive engineering reports, presentations, technical findings, and customer communications.
• Effectively communicates complex technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences, including executive leadership, regulatory stakeholders, and customers.
• Represents the company during customer meetings, technical discussions, and industry forums related to power quality and reliability.

Interpersonal Skills

• Build strong working relationships across Engineering, Operations, Customer Service, External Affairs, and customer organizations.
• Facilitates collaboration among stakeholders to resolve issues and achieve business objectives.
• Demonstrates professionalism, credibility, and strong customer advocacy skills when addressing sensitive or high-profile customer concerns.

Decision Making

• Operates with a high degree of independence and accountability. Makes engineering decisions regarding investigative approaches, technical recommendations, mitigation strategies, and prioritization of work activities.
• Provides recommendations on capital improvements, operational changes, and customer-specific solutions based on engineering analysis and business considerations.

Business Awareness

• Balances customer expectations, regulatory requirements, operational constraints, and economic considerations while maintaining system reliability and service quality.
• Supports the company's commitment to safe operations, environmental stewardship, customer satisfaction, and financial performance.
• Maintains awareness of emerging technologies, distributed energy resources, electric vehicles, battery storage systems, and their impacts on power quality and system performance.

What we’re looking for:

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 level, with increased educational, skill, experience and certification requirements for higher levels of Engineer Sr. and Engineer Principal level. The final grade and compensation offered will be based on the successful candidate's education, experience, and relevant skills.

Engineer - Pay Grade 7

Minimum Requirements:

• Has typically acquired a Bachelor's degree in engineering in a program accredited by ABET* along with two or more years of related engineering experience.
• 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.
• Individuals with a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Technology can satisfy this degree requirement, if they obtain a certified Professional Engineering (PE) license.
• *ABET - Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.
• 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. **VP or above may waive the requirement for a degree from a university with an Non ABET accredited program
• Must obtain FAA Remote Pilot Certificate Under Part 107:2 and achieve AEP Mission Ready Training Status within one year as a condition of continued employment. Study materials and/or testing fees will be provided by the company.

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

$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.