Engineer/Technical Specialist (Mid – Sr.) | Generation Control Systems Engineering

American Electric Power•Columbus, OH

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Engineer is responsible to an assigned supervisor for performing intermediate-level engineering work activities and projects that apply engineering knowledge to accomplish assigned objectives safely, effectively, efficiently, and economically. The Technical Specialist has intermediate-level responsibility for facilitating and maintaining programs, systems, and equipment critical to AEP's generating fleet according to established guidelines and work tasks. The specialist is expected to understand relevant requirements, complete assigned work proficiently, support forecasting, planning, installation, and commissioning of enhancements with local or remote resources, and help site personnel troubleshoot issues. The role focuses on Generation Control Systems Engineering, with work involving networking, control-system environments, cybersecurity, troubleshooting, and related computer systems. The posting is offered at multiple grade levels, with higher-level Engineer or Technical Specialist positions requiring increased education, skills, or experience. The role is on-site.

Requirements

Engineer: Typically, a bachelor's degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited program and two or more years of related engineering experience.
Engineer: A master's degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited engineering program may qualify an individual for entry at this level.
Engineer: A bachelor's degree in Engineering Technology may satisfy the degree requirement if the candidate has a certified Professional Engineering (PE) license.
Engineer: An acceptable alternative is a bachelor's degree in non-ABET-accredited engineering and a master's degree or PhD in engineering from a university with an ABET-accredited bachelor's program; a VP or above may waive the stated non-ABET degree requirement.
Technical Specialist: Bachelor's degree in an applicable technical field, or an associate degree plus two years of relevant work experience.
Technical Specialist: Typically, six years of direct experience and intermediate-level knowledge of the specialized programs, systems, or equipment.
Familiarity with networking, including basic network troubleshooting.
Ability to review firewall rules and access control lists and understand network switch settings; ability to configure or modify switches.
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

Knowledge 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, PLCs, recorders, historians, and GE and SEL protective relays.
Understanding of potential vulnerabilities and mitigations.
Experience installing patches or upgrading firmware.
Practical knowledge of computers and interfacing with other devices.
Experience configuring and installing servers, workstations, and appliances.
Understanding how NIST 800-82 applies to cybersecurity in control-system environments.
Familiarity with cybersecurity principles and standards such as NIST, NERC CIP, IEC 62443, and the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF 2.0).
Experience with Visio.

Responsibilities

Perform intermediate-level engineering activities and projects, applying engineering knowledge to assigned objectives.
Facilitate and maintain programs, systems, and equipment critical to AEP's generating fleet according to established guidelines and work tasks.
Support forecasting, planning, installation, and commissioning of enhancements to programs, systems, and equipment.
Help site personnel troubleshoot issues.
Review firewall rules and access control lists to ensure appropriate electronic access controls are in place.
Review and understand network switch settings and perform switch configuration or modifications.
Diagnose and troubleshoot networking and control-system issues.
Install patches or upgrade firmware when applicable.
Configure and install servers, workstations, and appliances when applicable.