Engineer Assc

American Electric Power•New Albany, OH

4d•$74,551 - $128,688

About The Position

The Real-Time Reliability Engineering organization is responsible for providing the engineering expertise, studies, tools, and operational support necessary to ensure the reliable operation and restoration of AEP's Bulk Electric System. This role serves as a key technical resource supporting system reliability programs including System Restoration and Blackstar planning, short circuit analysis, operational engineering studies, emergency preparedness, and compliance with NERC Reliability Standards. The Real-Time Reliability Engineer is responsible for evaluating existing and emerging system conditions, developing engineering solutions, and providing technical guidance that supports safe, reliable, and resilient grid operations across multiple RTO and ISO regions. This position works closely with the System Control Center (SCC), Transmission Dispatch Centers (TDC), Planning, Asset Management, Protection & Control, Generation, and external reliability organizations to ensure operational readiness and long-term reliability performance. Engineers within the organization are assigned ownership of specific reliability programs and are accountable for maintaining the technical accuracy, documentation, studies, procedures, and stakeholder coordination associated with those responsibilities.

Requirements

This is an entry level position for new graduates with a Bachelor's degree in engineering in a program accredited by ABET
Individuals with a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Technology can satisfy this degree requirement, if they obtain a certified Professional Engineering (PE) license.

Nice To Haves

Passing the Fundamentals of Engineering examination in preparation for future licensing as a Professional Engineer (PE) is encouraged and preferred.
Power system analysis and modeling.
Bulk Electric System operations.
System Restoration and Blackstart planning.
Short circuit and protection coordination studies.
Power system stability analysis.
Transmission planning and reliability assessments.
System Operating Limits (SOL) and Interconnection Reliability Operating Limits (IROL).
NERC Reliability Standards and compliance programs.
RTO/ISO operating practices and reliability requirements.
SCADA, EMS, State Estimator, and advanced operational tools.
Power system modeling software such as ASPEN, PSSE, PSLF, TARA, CAPE, or PowerWorld.
Emergency preparedness and restoration strategy development.
Technical writing, procedure development, and project coordination.

Responsibilities

Through collaboration with the System Control Center (SCC), Transmission Dispatch Centers (TDC), Planning, Operations, Engineering, Generation, and external reliability organizations, this role develops and maintains the engineering analyses, operational procedures, and reliability programs required to support secure system operations and restoration readiness.
The successful candidate will analyze system performance, identify reliability risks, develop mitigation strategies, and provide engineering recommendations that enhance operational reliability, system resilience, and regulatory compliance.
Perform engineering analyses and studies to support bulk electric system reliability, including short circuit analysis, contingency analysis, voltage performance, thermal assessments, and system operating limit evaluations.
Develop, maintain, and execute engineering studies that support System Restoration and Blackstart programs, ensuring restoration plans remain technically accurate and operationally effective.
Identify existing and emerging reliability risks and develop recommendations to improve system performance, resiliency, and operational readiness.
Provide engineering support and technical guidance to SCC operators, TDC operators, and field organizations during normal, emergency, and restoration conditions.
Develop and maintain operating criteria, engineering procedures, technical guidelines, and decision-support tools that support real-time operations and system restoration activities.
Support NERC compliance initiatives and engineering requirements associated with reliability standards including, but not limited to, EOP, TOP, FAC, PRC, and PER standards.
Conduct and review short circuit, stability, restoration, and operational studies utilizing approved power system analysis software and methodologies.
Coordinate with Planning, Protection & Control, Asset Management, Generation, and Operations personnel to evaluate system modifications, operating strategies, and reliability impacts.
Develop technical documentation, engineering reports, study results, restoration strategies, and reliability recommendations.
Support restoration drills, operator training, tabletop exercises, and emergency preparedness initiatives that improve restoration readiness and operational effectiveness.
Participate in industry working groups, standards development activities, and professional organizations such as NERC, IEEE, EPRI, PJM, SPP, ERCOT, and MISO to remain current on industry reliability practices and emerging technologies.
Serve as the engineering owner for assigned reliability programs and maintain accountability for all technical deliverables, documentation, studies, and stakeholder engagement associated with those programs.