Engineer/Technical Specialist (Mid – Sr.) | Generation Control Systems Engineering
About The Position
American Electric Power is hiring an Engineer or Technical Specialist for Generation Control Systems Engineering. The Engineer performs intermediate-level engineering activities and projects, applying engineering knowledge to achieve assigned objectives safely, effectively, efficiently, and economically. The Technical Specialist facilitates and maintains programs, systems, and equipment critical to AEP's generating fleet, following established guidelines and assigned tasks. The specialist supports forecasting, planning, installation, and commissioning of system enhancements in collaboration with local or remote resources, and helps site personnel troubleshoot issues. The role focuses on networking, control-system environments, cybersecurity, and technical problem-solving. Work may include reviewing firewall rules and access control lists, understanding or modifying network switch configurations, troubleshooting networks, diagnosing control-system issues, and working with computers and connected devices. The position is posted at multiple grade levels, with increased education, skill, or experience requirements for higher levels. Physical demands depend on specific duties; the listed demand level is sedentary.
Requirements
- For Engineer: typically, a bachelor's degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited program and two or more years of related engineering experience.
- For Engineer: a master's degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited engineering program may qualify an individual for entry at this level.
- For Engineer: a bachelor's degree in Engineering Technology may satisfy the degree requirement if the candidate obtains a certified Professional Engineering (PE) license.
- Alternative Engineer education path: a bachelor's degree in non-ABET engineering plus a master's degree or PhD in engineering from a university with an ABET-accredited bachelor's program; the posting notes a VP or above may waive the stated university requirement.
- For Technical Specialist: a bachelor's degree in an applicable technical field, or an associate's degree with two years of relevant work experience.
- For Technical Specialist: typically six years of direct experience and intermediate-level knowledge of the specialized programs, systems, or equipment.
- Networking knowledge or experience, including basic network troubleshooting.
- Knowledge of computer systems, including Windows and Linux.
- Experience with Microsoft Office products such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Nice To Haves
- Understanding of commonly used control-system protocols such as TCP/IP, Modbus, and DNP3.
- Experience with network tools such as NMAP, NESSUS, Wireshark, and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems.
- Experience with controls, monitoring, and protection equipment, including DCS platforms (Emerson, ABB, GE, Siemens, and others), PLCs (Allen-Bradley ControlLogix, GE, Siemens, and others), recorders, historians, and GE or SEL protective relays.
- Understanding of potential vulnerabilities and mitigations; experience installing patches or upgrading firmware.
- Experience configuring and installing servers, workstations, and appliances.
- Understanding how NIST 800-82 applies from a cybersecurity perspective in control-system environments.
- Familiarity with cybersecurity principles and standards such as NIST, NERC CIP, IEC 62443, and NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) 2.0.
- Experience with Visio.
Responsibilities
- Perform intermediate-level engineering work activities and projects, applying engineering knowledge to meet assigned objectives safely, effectively, efficiently, and economically.
- Facilitate and maintain programs, systems, and equipment critical to AEP's generating fleet according to established guidelines and assigned work tasks.
- Support forecasting, planning, installation, and commissioning of enhancements to programs, systems, and equipment, in collaboration with local or remote resources.
- Help site personnel troubleshoot issues.
- Review firewall rules and access control lists to ensure appropriate electronic access controls are in place.
- Review network switch settings and perform switch configuration or modifications as needed.
- Diagnose and troubleshoot network and control-system issues.
Benefits
- Competitive compensation.
- Comprehensive benefits package intended to support and enhance employee well-being.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
