Principal Electrical Engineer – New-Generation Power

AEP; Columbus, Shreveport, Charleston, Tulsa (OH, LA, WV, OK); On-site; USD 116,000 - 151,000; Full time

Job summary

American Electric Power (AEP) in Columbus is seeking a Principal Electrical Engineer to support gas, coal, renewable, and new-generation self-build projects. You will define electrical design-basis requirements, support specifications, and coordinate with EPC firms to ensure performance, reliability, and safety across generation assets.

You will work on protection relays, grounding, MV/HV equipment testing, and interconnection requirements while contributing to lifecycle support, commissioning,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering from ABET-accredited program; PE license preferred.
• 8+ years of related engineering experience; or 6+ years with MS/PhD in engineering from ABET-accredited program.
• Experience across gas, coal and renewable projects; commissioning on simple/combined-cycle plants.

Responsibilities

• Support development of electrical design-basis and equipment requirements (generators, transformers, switchgear, station service, UPS/DC, cabling).
• Assist with power system studies and data preparation (load flow, short-circuit, protection coordination, arc-flash, harmonics).
• Review vendor drawings, technical bids, RFx deliverables; prepare comments for senior engineers.
• Prepare technical and procurement specifications and scope documents for proposals.
• Support OEM interfacing during procurement: submittal review, factory/field testing coordination, and lead-time tracking.
• Provide construction and commissioning support: site inspections, cable/power testing, relay settings assistance, witness testing, punch-list follow-up.
• Assist with protection relay settings, grounding design, cable routing, and MV/HV equipment testing.
• Coordinate with mechanical, I&C, civil, and operations teams to resolve integration and SCADA/DCS interface items.
• Contribute to O&M documentation, spares lists, and lifecycle cost input.

Skills

Protection relays

Grounding design

MV/HV equipment

Power system studies

ETAP

MATLAB

AutoCAD/MicroStation

Education

ABET-accredited engineering degree

Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred

Tools

ETAP

SKM/PowerTools

CYME

MATLAB

AutoCAD/MicroStation

Job description

American Electric Power (AEP) in Columbus is seeking a Principal Electrical Engineer to support gas, coal, renewable, and new-generation self-build projects. You will define electrical design-basis requirements, support specifications, and coordinate with EPC firms to ensure performance, reliability, and safety across generation assets.

You will work on protection relays, grounding, MV/HV equipment testing, and interconnection requirements while contributing to lifecycle support, commissioning,