Engineer - Engineer Principal (Distribution Network Engineering)

American Electric Power•Tulsa, OK

1d•$87,633 - $151,133•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

Possesses working knowledge of underground network and distribution systems and applies engineering theory, analytical techniques, and sound engineering judgment to complex assignments.
Demonstrates the ability to design standard and non-standard network facilities and understand the interrelationship between primary distribution, secondary network systems, transformers, protectors, vaults, duct banks, cables, metering, and associated equipment.
Performs or develops proficiency in load-flow, fault-current, system-modeling, equipment-condition, and reliability analyses.
Evaluates system performance and recommends improvements to system configuration, equipment, standards, and business processes.
Coordinates work activities across Network Operations, Distribution Engineering, Civil Engineering, Underground Operations, Metering, Telecommunications, Stores, contractors, and other internal and external stakeholders.
Provides technical direction and guidance to employees and contractors and may lead engineering and construction activities involving multiple work groups.
Provides training and technical guidance to lower-level engineers and employees.
Follows company policies, engineering standards, regulatory requirements, and applicable procedures.
Develops and coordinates 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.
Develops project cost information, assists with or manages network budgets, coordinates procurement activities, and initiates corrective action when project, schedule, cost, or system-performance objectives are not being met.
Identifies and resolves engineering and operational issues involving network loading, equipment condition, outages, underground infrastructure, customer service, system reliability, and construction.
Performs engineering studies and evaluates multiple alternatives to develop technically sound and cost-effective solutions.
Demonstrates the ability to recognize abnormal or emerging system conditions and take appropriate action.
Seeks opportunities to improve system reliability, engineering standards, work processes, documentation, and network operating practices.
Develops, reviews, and presents engineering designs, studies, specifications, policies, system plans, project documentation, cost estimates, and technical recommendations in a clear and effective manner.
Communicates planned outages, project requirements, engineering decisions, and system conditions with customers, operations personnel, contractors, management, and other stakeholders.
Works effectively across organizational boundaries and develops strong working relationships with Network Operations, Primary Cable crews, Civil Engineering, Underground Operations, Metering, Telecommunications, Stores, contractors, customers, and other stakeholders.
Uses formal and informal networks to coordinate complex work, resolve conflicts, build consensus, and accomplish project and operational objectives.
Makes engineering and project decisions within established policies, standards, and procedures and recognizes when issues require escalation or additional technical review.
Evaluates operational, safety, reliability, customer, financial, and construction risks when making recommendations.
Uses engineering analysis, system data, field conditions, and professional judgment to reach logical conclusions and recommend appropriate corrective actions.
Understands AEP/PSO’s organizational structure and the role of Distribution Network Engineering within system operations, customer service, reliability, and capital planning.
Demonstrates an understanding of budgeting, procurement, project approval, contractor management, and utility regulatory processes.
Applies economic and engineering analysis when prioritizing system improvements and capital investments.
Develops an understanding of how network reliability, customer impacts, operational risk, and long-term infrastructure needs influence engineering and business decisions.
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 or PhD in engineering from a program accredited by ABET.
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.
Individuals with a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Technology can satisfy this degree requirement, if they obtain a certified Professional Engineering (PE) license.
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.

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.

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.