Engineer - Engineer Principal (Distribution Network Engineering)

American Electric Power•Tulsa, OK

6h•Onsite

About The Position

This position provides engineering, planning, project management, and operational support for PSO’s downtown underground network system and other complex underground distribution facilities. Responsibilities include designing standard and non-standard network and distribution circuits; developing project designs for Primary Cable and Network Crews; and providing engineering support for underground substation and feeder exit projects. The position coordinates planned downtimes across downtown network feeders, duct-bank systems, and underground feeder exits while working with internal departments, customers, contractors, telecommunications providers, and other external stakeholders. Responsibilities also include coordinating service disconnects and reconnects, supporting meter installations, maintaining network service and meter information, and coordinating telecommunications activities within the downtown network. The engineer performs system planning and reliability analysis, including CYME load-flow and fault-current studies, network system modeling, long-term improvement planning, and development of multi-year capital strategies. The position monitors network loading and system health through PI Vision and provides engineering review and support for network alarms and abnormal system conditions. Additional responsibilities include maintaining network AutoCAD maps, one-line diagrams, secondary system maps, PI Vision maps, and underground duct-bank mapping. The engineer works closely with Civil Engineering on structural inspections and drawing reviews and provides engineering support for vaults, manholes, and other underground distribution facilities. The position leads and supports network-related projects from engineering through construction and closeout. Responsibilities include managing project budgets, coordinating specialty material procurement, maintaining appropriate network equipment inventory, overseeing contractor performance and inspection activities, reviewing contractor invoices and timesheets, assigning contractor work, and coordinating timely project closeout. The engineer also evaluates transformer oil testing and dissolved gas analysis results, develops engineering recommendations, supports the development and maintenance of network and vault specifications and policies, and participates in companywide committees responsible for network and underground distribution standards. The position supports storm restoration, emergency response, and other operational needs as required.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in engineering in a program accredited by ABET
8 or more years of related engineering experience
OR 6 years of related engineering experience along with a Master's 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 preferred for this position unless approval to waive this requirement is given by the organization's EVP.
Working knowledge of underground network and distribution systems
Ability to apply engineering theory, analytical techniques, and sound engineering judgment to complex assignments
Ability to design standard and non-standard network facilities
Understanding of the interrelationship between primary distribution, secondary network systems, transformers, protectors, vaults, duct banks, cables, metering, and associated equipment
Proficiency in load-flow, fault-current, system-modeling, equipment-condition, and reliability analyses
Ability to evaluate system performance and recommend improvements to system configuration, equipment, standards, and business processes
Ability to coordinate work activities across Network Operations, Distribution Engineering, Civil Engineering, Underground Operations, Metering, Telecommunications, Stores, contractors, and other internal and external stakeholders
Ability to provide technical direction and guidance to employees and contractors
Ability to lead engineering and construction activities involving multiple work groups
Ability to provide training and technical guidance to lower-level engineers and employees
Ability to follow company policies, engineering standards, regulatory requirements, and applicable procedures
Ability to develop and coordinate short- and long-term plans for the downtown network system, including project schedules, capital improvements, system upgrades, equipment replacement, material requirements, and multi-year investment strategies
Ability to develop project cost information, assist with or manage network budgets, coordinate procurement activities, and initiate corrective action when project, schedule, cost, or system-performance objectives are not being met
Ability to identify and resolve engineering and operational issues involving network loading, equipment condition, outages, underground infrastructure, customer service, system reliability, and construction
Ability to perform engineering studies and evaluate multiple alternatives to develop technically sound and cost-effective solutions
Ability to recognize abnormal or emerging system conditions and take appropriate action
Ability to seek opportunities to improve system reliability, engineering standards, work processes, documentation, and network operating practices
Ability to develop, review, and present engineering designs, studies, specifications, policies, system plans, project documentation, cost estimates, and technical recommendations in a clear and effective manner
Ability to communicate planned outages, project requirements, engineering decisions, and system conditions with customers, operations personnel, contractors, management, and other stakeholders
Ability to work effectively across organizational boundaries and develop strong working relationships with Network Operations, Primary Cable crews, Civil Engineering, Underground Operations, Metering, Telecommunications, Stores, contractors, customers, and other stakeholders
Ability to use formal and informal networks to coordinate complex work, resolve conflicts, build consensus, and accomplish project and operational objectives
Ability to make engineering and project decisions within established policies, standards, and procedures
Ability to recognize when issues require escalation or additional technical review
Ability to evaluate operational, safety, reliability, customer, financial, and construction risks when making recommendations
Ability to use engineering analysis, system data, field conditions, and professional judgment to reach logical conclusions and recommend appropriate corrective actions
Understanding of AEP/PSO’s organizational structure and the role of Distribution Network Engineering within system operations, customer service, reliability, and capital planning
Understanding of budgeting, procurement, project approval, contractor management, and utility regulatory processes
Ability to apply economic and engineering analysis when prioritizing system improvements and capital investments
Development of an understanding of how network reliability, customer impacts, operational risk, and long-term infrastructure needs influence engineering and business decisions.

Nice To Haves

Registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) in any U.S. state or Puerto Rico is preferred for this position unless approval to waive this requirement is given by the organization's EVP.
A Bachelor's degree in engineering technology can satisfy the degree requirement if they obtain a certified Professional Engineering (PE) license.
A 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.
A Bachelor's degree in engineering technology (non-ABET) plus a Master's degree or PhD in engineering technology 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 an Non ABET accredited program.

Responsibilities

Designing standard and non-standard network and distribution circuits
Developing project designs for Primary Cable and Network Crews
Providing engineering support for underground substation and feeder exit projects
Coordinating planned downtimes across downtown network feeders, duct-bank systems, and underground feeder exits
Coordinating service disconnects and reconnects
Supporting meter installations
Maintaining network service and meter information
Coordinating telecommunications activities within the downtown network
Performing system planning and reliability analysis, including CYME load-flow and fault-current studies, network system modeling, long-term improvement planning, and development of multi-year capital strategies
Monitoring network loading and system health through PI Vision
Providing engineering review and support for network alarms and abnormal system conditions
Maintaining network AutoCAD maps, one-line diagrams, secondary system maps, PI Vision maps, and underground duct-bank mapping
Working closely with Civil Engineering on structural inspections and drawing reviews
Providing engineering support for vaults, manholes, and other underground distribution facilities
Leading and supporting network-related projects from engineering through construction and closeout
Managing project budgets
Coordinating specialty material procurement
Maintaining appropriate network equipment inventory
Overseeing contractor performance and inspection activities
Reviewing contractor invoices and timesheets
Assigning contractor work
Coordinating timely project closeout
Evaluating transformer oil testing and dissolved gas analysis results
Developing engineering recommendations
Supporting the development and maintenance of network and vault specifications and policies
Participating in companywide committees responsible for network and underground distribution standards
Supporting storm restoration, emergency response, and other operational needs as required