Project Engineer Senior/Principal
About The Position
The Project Engineer serves as the AEP Engineering Lead for complex, multidisciplinary generation projects throughout the project lifecycle, with a primary focus on conceptual and detailed design, procurement, and technical support during construction and commissioning. The role provides technical leadership and coordination across internal engineering teams, external consultants, original equipment manufacturers, engineering/procurement/construction contractors, developers, and other project stakeholders to support the safe, reliable, cost-effective delivery of utility-scale power generation assets. The project portfolio includes new-build and major retrofit initiatives involving simple-cycle and combined-cycle gas turbine plants, utility-scale solar facilities, wind generation projects, battery energy storage systems, and environmental retrofits and fuel-conversion projects for existing thermal plants. The role leads engineering activities, provides guidance to engineers, coordinates work across disciplines, and ensures work follows company standards and applicable external regulations. The position is onsite in Hallsville, Texas or Columbus, Ohio, and is open to qualified candidates throughout the AEP footprint. Travel is required, including travel 25% outside Ohio within the AEP footprint during project construction and occasional overnight trips. The role is posted at Senior or Principal level; final grade and compensation depend on the successful candidate’s education, experience, and relevant skills.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited program and typically at least 4 years of related engineering experience for the Engineer Senior level.
- Alternatively for Engineer Senior: a master’s degree or Ph.D. in engineering from an ABET-accredited program and typically at least 2 years of related engineering experience.
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited program and typically at least 8 years of related engineering experience for the Engineer Principal level.
- Alternatively for Engineer Principal: a master’s degree or Ph.D. in engineering from an ABET-accredited program and typically at least 6 years of related engineering experience.
- For either level, a bachelor’s degree in Engineering Technology may satisfy the degree requirement if the candidate obtains a certified Professional Engineer (PE) license.
- For the stated non-ABET alternative, a bachelor’s degree in engineering from a non-ABET program plus a master’s degree or Ph.D. in engineering from a university with an ABET-accredited bachelor’s program.
- Ability to lead and coordinate multidisciplinary engineering work and provide guidance to other engineers.
- Ability to plan work, establish measurable goals, identify corrective actions, and solve routine and complex problems, including those involving inadequate or conflicting data.
- Effective written and verbal communication, meeting leadership, collaboration, consensus building, and decision-making skills.
- Willingness and ability to travel 25% outside Ohio within the AEP footprint during construction, including occasional overnight trips.
Nice To Haves
- Professional Engineer (PE) registration in any U.S. state or Puerto Rico is encouraged and preferred for the Engineer Senior position.
- Professional Engineer (PE) registration in any U.S. state or Puerto Rico is preferred for the Engineer Principal position, unless the organization’s EVP approves a waiver.
- Mechanical engineering or mechanical engineering technology background is preferred.
- Experience overseeing multidisciplinary engineering work is preferred.
- Confirmation is preferred to ensure a PE license obtained in Puerto Rico aligns with NCEES standards.
Responsibilities
- Develop and manage the Engineering Work Plan.
- Lead the engineering design review process and respond to Requests for Information (RFIs).
- Lead, facilitate, and coordinate overall engineering activities among AEP, developers, architect-engineers, and original equipment manufacturers for generation capital projects.
- Coordinate design efforts with internal AEP Engineering, Operations, and IT/Technology teams and external developers, architects/engineers, OEMs, regulatory agencies, and other partners.
- Schedule and lead engineering meetings with project stakeholders.
- Provide technical support during construction and facilitate project closeout activities to support timely and efficient completion.
- Provide regular updates on engineering progress to the project team and stakeholders.
- Provide guidance and direction to other engineers and coordinate engineering work activities.
- Ensure work activities comply with company policies, practices, standards, and rules, as well as applicable external-agency regulations and procedures.
- Identify problems, develop solutions and corrective actions, assess risks, and make decisions affecting project plans and goals.
- Prepare, develop, or review reports on complex technical subjects for management.
- Travel to AEP generation facilities as needed, including travel during construction and occasional overnight trips.
Benefits
- AEP offers a comprehensive benefits package intended to support and enhance employees’ overall well-being.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
