Director Project Engineering

American Electric Power•Columbus, OH

About The Position

The Director of Project Engineering leads the engineering organization responsible for developing and executing strategic generation capital projects across renewable energy, generation asset acquisitions, and major modernization projects at existing fossil generation facilities. The role oversees project engineering throughout the project lifecycle to support safe, reliable delivery on schedule, within budget, and in alignment with corporate growth and generation strategies. The Director leads Project Engineers supporting utility-scale renewable generation, acquisition integration, and complex capital investments across the generation portfolio. The position provides strategic direction for engineering activities from project development through commissioning and commercial operation, aligns engineering resources with business priorities and investment objectives, and partners with functions across the company to execute capital programs. It also establishes engineering governance, standards, and execution processes, and develops workforce planning, succession, and employee development strategies. The role fosters safety, accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement while providing leadership support for significant project issues and technical challenges.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in engineering from a program accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.
Registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) in any U.S. state.
At least 12 years of experience in utility engineering work, including 5 years of direct supervision or management of engineering resources.
Maintain safety as the highest priority and demonstrate behaviors that support zero harm at work and at home.
Demonstrate the highest standards of ethical behavior and support the Company's Corporate Compliance Policy.
Demonstrate leadership ability to organize, direct, and coordinate the work of other personnel.
Communicate effectively and present ideas clearly orally and in writing, including making presentations and recommendations to senior management and external audiences.
Demonstrate strong teamwork and collaboration skills.
Demonstrate strategic risk assessment, customer focus, and business awareness in technical decision-making.
Focus on continuous improvement and employee development.
Have strong planning and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership and oversight for renewable generation projects, battery energy storage systems, generation asset acquisitions, environmental compliance projects, and major capital improvements at existing generating facilities.
Direct and oversee engineering activities from project development through commissioning and commercial operation.
Align engineering resources with business priorities, project schedules, and capital investment objectives.
Partner with Generation, Commercial Operations, Regulatory, Environmental, Supply Chain, Finance, and Project Management organizations to execute strategic capital programs.
Establish and maintain engineering governance, standards, and project execution processes that promote consistency, quality, and accountability.
Establish workforce planning, succession management, and employee development strategies to build organizational capability and technical expertise.
Foster a culture of safety, accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Provide leadership and executive support to resolve significant project issues, technical challenges, and strategic initiatives.
Promote cross-functional collaboration and effective stakeholder engagement across the enterprise.
Support safe execution and successful delivery of projects within approved scope, schedule, budget, and key milestone targets.
Support improved reliability, standardization, performance, and long-term value of generation assets, including effective integration of newly acquired facilities.
Develop and retain a high-performing project engineering organization and support achievement of generation growth and asset optimization objectives.