Welding/ASME Section XI Repair & Replacement Engineer (Midlevel - Principal)

American Electric Power; Bridgman (MI); On-site; USD 75,000 - 151,000; Full time

Job summary

American Electric Power seeks a Nuclear Engineer to lead welding and ASME Section XI Repair/Replacement activities in a highly regulated nuclear environment. This role provides program leadership, supports ISI and related programs, and drives continuous improvement in welding, inspection, and materials integration.

The position requires ABET-accredited engineering education, experience with ASME Codes (III, VIII, IX, XI) and AWS welding standards, and a background in nuclear or similarly

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering; ABET accreditation preferred.
• Experience with ASME Sections III, VIII, IX, XI and AWS welding codes.
• Experience implementing ASME Section XI Repair/Replacement programs.
• Experience in nuclear or highly regulated environments.
• Ability to review welding procedures and repair packages for code compliance.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain expert knowledge in welding and R/R activities; back-up for other programs as needed.
• Serve as program engineer for welding and R/R processes; govern and improve program workflows.
• Provide engineering support across programs ensuring welding, inspection, and materials integration.
• Perform field walkdowns, inspections, and condition evaluations to identify degradation and drive corrective actions.
• Provide technical expertise for welding design, code reconciliation, troubleshooting, and failure analysis.
• Support investigations, root cause evaluations, regulatory responses, and communications.
• Evaluate risks and develop risk-informed mitigation strategies; ensure regulatory compliance and budgets.

Skills

Welding

ASME XI R/R

Nuclear Safety

Regulatory Compliance

Root Cause Analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (ABET)

Job description

Job Posting End Date

10-19-2026

Please note the job posting will close on the day before the posting end date.

Job Summary

Please Note: This position is posted in a range, and an offer will be made based on the candidate’s qualifications.

This position provides technical leadership and program support for welding and ASME Section XI Repair/Replacement (R/R) activities, while providing backup program support to Inservice Inspection (ISI), Containment ISI, Boric Acid Corrosion Control (BACC), Reactor Vessel Internals (RVI), or other engineering programs, as assigned.

The role ensures safe, compliant, and efficient implementation of welded repairs, inspection activities, and structural integrity programs within a highly regulated nuclear environment.

Job Description

What You’ll Do:

• Develop and maintain expert-level knowledge in welding, ASME Section XI Repair/Replacement (R/R), working as a back-up to other assigned plant programs as needed (ISI, Containment ISI, BACC, RVI, etc.).
• Serve as a program engineer for welding and R/R activities, including development, governance, and continuous improvement of program processes.
• Provide engineering support across multiple programs as assigned, ensuring integration of welding, inspection, and materials considerations.
• Perform field walkdowns, inspections, and condition evaluations to identify degradation mechanisms and drive corrective/preventive actions.
• Provide technical expertise for:
  • Welded repair design and implementation
  • Code reconciliation and relief/alternative evaluations
  • Troubleshooting, degradation assessments, and failure analysis
• Support event investigations, root cause evaluations, and preparation of regulatory responses and correspondence.
• Evaluate system and program risks and develop risk-informed mitigation and elimination strategies.
• Ensure compliance with:
  • Nuclear safety, quality assurance, and radiation protection requirements
  • NRC regulations and guidance
  • ASME Codes (Sections III, VIII, IX, XI)
  • AWS Welding Codes (e.g., D1.1, D1.3, D1.6, D3.6, and others as applicable)
  • ANSI/ANS standards and applicable industry commitments
• Review and approve welding procedures, qualifications (WPS/PQR/WPQ), and repair packages to ensure technical adequacy and code compliance.
• Monitor program health through self-assessments, audits, benchmarking, and operating experience, and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
• Participate in industry user groups, code committees, and technical forums, incorporating lessons learned and emerging guidance.
• Manage program resources and budgets, ensuring cost-effective execution and prioritization of work.

Essential Job Functions:

• Apply analytical techniques to support outage activities, repair plans, inspections, and projects of moderate complexity.
• Interpret and apply codes, standards, and technical specifications to plant systems, structures, and components.
• Identify and implement process and program improvements, including outage execution and inspection strategies.
• Support outage planning, scope development, and schedule integration.
• Demonstrate problem-solving ability on moderately complex technical issues.
• Prepare and present technical reports, engineering evaluations, and recommendations clearly and effectively.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Welding, Metallurgical, Materials, or Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent experience).
• Strong working knowledge of:
  • ASME Sections III, VIII, IX, XI
  • AWS Welding Codes (D1.1 Structural Steel, D1.3 Sheet Steel, D1.6 Stainless Steel, D3.6 Underwater Welding, etc.)
• Experience implementing ASME Section XI Repair/Replacement programs.
• Experience with welded repairs in nuclear or other highly regulated environments.
• Experience supporting or owning engineering programs such as:
  • Inservice Inspection (ISI)
  • Containment ISI
  • Boric Acid Corrosion Control (BACC)
  • Reactor Vessel Internals (RVI)
• Familiarity with materials degradation mechanisms and inspection techniques.

What We’re Looking For:

Nuclear Engineer/ Salary Grade 7: $87,633 - $109,544

• Has typically acquired 2 or more years of related engineering experience along with a Bachelor’s degree in engineering in a program accredited by ABET*, Individuals with a Master’s degree in engineering in a program accredited by ABET* may be considered for entry into the organization at this level. *ABET - Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.

Acceptable alternative:

• 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 a non-ABET accredited program

Nuclear Engineer, Senior/ Salary Grade 8:

$98,993 - $128,689

• Has typically acquired 4 or more years of related engineering experience along with a Bachelor’s degree in engineering in a program accredited ABET*; or 2 years of related engineering experience along with a Master’s degree or PhD in engineering from a program accredited by ABET*.Registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) in any U.S. state or Puerto Rico is encouraged and preferred. *ABET - Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.

Acceptable alternative:

• 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. **Confirmation is required to ensure the PE obtained in Puerto Rico aligns with NCEES standards.
• **VP or above may waive the requirement for a degree from a university with a non-ABET accredited program

Nuclear Engineer, Principal/ Salary Grade 9: $116,255 - $151,132

• Has typically acquired 8 or more years of related engineering experience along with a Bachelor’s degree in engineering in a program accredited by ABET* or 6 years of related engineering experience along with a Master’s degree or PhD in engineering from a program accredited by ABET* Registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) in any U.S. state or Puerto Rico** is required for this position unless approval to waive this requirement is given by the organization’s EVP. *ABET - Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.

Acceptable alternative:

• 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. **Confirmation is required to ensure the PE obtained in Puerto Rico aligns with NCEES standards.
• **VP or above may waive the requirement for a degree from a university with a non-ABET accredited program.

Nuclear Specialist/ Grade 7: $87,633 - $109,544

• Bachelor degree in Project Management, Construction Management, Business Administration, Biology or Chemistry, or Associate Degree in an engineering discipline from an ABET accredited school with 5 years nuclear experience or high school diploma / GED with 9 years of experience in the nuclear industry.

Must establish and maintain a permanent residence within a 45-minute safe drive time to the D.C. Cook Nuclear Power Plant.

What You’ll Get:

In addition to competitive compensation, AEP offers a unique comprehensive benefits package that aims to support and enhance the overall well-being of our employees.

The power of AEP comes from our valued team of unique employees…the best in the business! We’re proud to be one of the largest electric energy companies in the U.S., powering over 5 million homes and businesses, spanning across 11 states. We’re passionate about making an innovative difference in the communities we serve. We’re powering the future – today!

American Electric Power (On-Site)

$87K- $151K / Year

#AEPCareers

#LI-ONSITE

#AEPIM

Compensation Data

Compensation Grade:

SP20-007

Compensation Range:

$74,551.00 - $151,132.50

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.

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.