Electrical Engineer-UG Transmission Senior-Principal-Staff

American Electric Power•New Albany, OH

7d•$84,000 - $177,503•Onsite

About The Position

AEP is investing to support significant load growth driven by new industry, data centers, and widespread electrification, and we are seeking an underground transmission Subject Matter Expert who wants to help build what comes next. In this role, you will lead the design, engineering, installation, testing, and restoration of high voltage and extra high voltage underground cable systems spanning 34.5 kV to 765 kV, across both AC and DC applications. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in solid dielectric XLPE and high‑pressure fluid‑filled pipe‑type cable systems, complex jointing and termination practices, and thermal performance analysis. As a technical leader within our underground transmission engineering organization, you will guide projects from front‑end engineering design through commissioning and energization, set standards that others follow, and shape how AEP delivers safe, reliable, and resilient power for decades to come.

Requirements

Has typically acquired a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from an ABET accredited engineering program, along with two (2) or more years of related engineering experience.
Individuals with a master’s degree in electrical engineering from an ABET accredited engineering program may be considered for entry at this level.
Acceptable alternative: Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from a non-ABET program, plus a master’s degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering from a university with an ABET accredited bachelor’s program.
Has typically acquired four (4) or more years of related engineering experience along with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from an ABET accredited engineering program; or Two years of related engineering experience along with a master’s degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering from an ABET accredited engineering program.
Has typically acquired eight (8) or more years of related engineering experience along with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from an ABET accredited engineering program; or Six years of related engineering experience along with a master’s degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering from an ABET accredited engineering program.
Has typically acquired ten (10) or more years of related engineering experience along with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from an ABET accredited engineering program; or Eight years of related engineering experience along with a master’s degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering from an ABET accredited engineering program.
Registration as a Professional Engineer in any U.S. state or Puerto Rico is preferred unless approval to waive this requirement is granted by the organization’s EVP.
Confirmation is preferred to ensure any Professional Engineer license obtained in Puerto Rico aligns with NCEES standards.
Solid dielectric XLPE and self-contained fluid filled cable systems.
Cable system ampacity modeling with CYMCAP or similar tools.
Cable route engineering, installation constraints, and constructability.
Commissioning and post installation testing includes VLF, Hi-Pot, offline PD, sheath testing, cross bonding verification, and TDR.
Condition assessment for existing solid dielectric and pipe type cable systems.
Proficiency with MicroStation or AutoCAD and Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Nice To Haves

Experience with hydraulic systems for fluid filled cables or nitrogen, static pressure systems.
Geotechnical interpretation for underground installations including soil borings and thermal backfill selection.
Grounding, shielding, line insulation, and EMF considerations for urban and constrained corridors.
Familiarity with overhead standards and structural tools such as PLS CADD, PLS Pole, and PLS Tower for standards integration.
Experience working with enterprise Supply Chain to manage material blankets and supplier relationships.
Strong written and verbal communication skills for technical reports, standards, and stakeholder engagements.

Responsibilities

Develop end to end designs for underground transmission lines including duct bank configurations, conduit sizing, riser and transition structures, vault and manhole layouts, and equipment interfaces.
Perform cable route analysis, feasibility analysis, and installation engineering.
Produce and maintain specifications, guidelines, and standards for design, construction, and restoration practices.
Oversee selection and installation of advanced joints and terminations, including GIS terminations, outdoor terminations, and oil filled interfaces.
Qualify splice kits and accessories and ensure workmanship practices that meet or exceed utility and manufacturer requirements.
Execute ampacity studies using CYMCAP or similar tools accounting for soil thermal resistivity, mutual heating, cyclic loading, and thermal backfill.
Advise on thermal upgrades, ratings, and operating envelopes across varied installation environments.
Define and witness factory acceptance testing for power cables and accessories, including partial discharge and type testing.
Lead post installation testing programs including VLF and Hi-Pot, offline partial discharge diagnostics, sheath integrity testing and cross bonding verification, and time domain reflectometry for impedance mismatches and fault location.
Establish commissioning procedures and documentation for energization.
Lead emergency restoration including fault location (thumping, TDR), forensic analysis, and root cause analysis for cable and accessory failures.
Drive corrective and preventive actions, updates to standards, and supplier performance improvements.
Maintain and advance underground transmission standards and material specifications; evaluate and qualify new materials and suppliers in partnership with Supply Chain.
Lead rollouts of new standards and best practices to internal and external stakeholders and support regional teams executing the capital plan.
Champion process improvement initiatives that improve safety, quality, and schedule predictability.