Principal Mechanical Engineer — Power Plant Systems

American Electric Power; Charleston (WV); On-site; USD 116,000 - 151,000; Full time

Job summary

American Electric Power seeks a Mechanical Engineer Principal SG9 to support retrofit and new-generation projects. You will define mechanical design-basis expectations, specify equipment, and coordinate with AE and EPC firms to ensure safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance.

You will analyze turbomachinery performance, lead technical specifications, and provide lifecycle support across gas, coal, and renewables projects at multiple sites, including on‑site engineering and commissioning

Qualifications

• Proven experience in mechanical engineering for power generation projects (gas, coal, and renewables).
• Advanced knowledge of natural gas simple cycle and combined cycle plants, including combustion turbines, HRSGs, steam turbines, and auxiliaries.
• Experience reviewing vendor drawings, specifications, and RFx responses.

Responsibilities

• Develop and document mechanical design basis and requirements for plant equipment including turbines, generators, HRSGs, boilers, heat exchangers, pumps, compressors, cooling systems, piping and structures.
• Apply advanced knowledge to equipment selection, system integration, and performance evaluations.
• Review and approve mechanical designs, drawings, and calculations with AE and EPC teams.
• Prepare procurement specifications and RFx deliverables.
• Interface with OEMs during RFx and procurement to confirm compliance and lead times.
• Support vendor evaluation and bid reviews for turbine/HRSG interfaces.
• Provide construction, commissioning, and startup support.
• Perform analyses (stress, vibration, thermal, piping) to validate designs.
• Ensure compliance with codes (ASME, API, ANSI, NFPA, IEEE) and support reliability activities.
• Coordinate with electrical, I&C, civil, operations for O&M docs and lifecycle costs.
• Promote safe design practices and site safety requirements.

Skills

Turbomachinery performance

Rotor dynamics

Vibration analysis

Piping stress analysis

Piping supports

Expansion management

Mechanical drawings

P&IDs

Data analysis

MS Access/Excel

CAD tools

Strong communication

Education

ABET-accredited bachelor's in engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Master's or PhD in engineering (preferred)

Tools

AutoCAD

MicroStation

MathCAD

MATLAB

SolidWorks

PDMS/AVEVA

Job description

American Electric Power seeks a Mechanical Engineer Principal SG9 to support retrofit and new-generation projects. You will define mechanical design-basis expectations, specify equipment, and coordinate with AE and EPC firms to ensure safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance.

You will analyze turbomachinery performance, lead technical specifications, and provide lifecycle support across gas, coal, and renewables projects at multiple sites, including on‑site engineering and commissioning