Staff Engineer – Control Systems Lead

American Electric Power•New Haven, WV

12d•$136,539 - $177,503•Onsite

About The Position

Responsible to the assigned manager for performing advance engineering work activities and projects requiring the application of engineering knowledge in a safe, effective, efficient and economic accomplishment of assigned objectives. This role exhibits the highest level of proficiency and expert knowledge of specialized technical areas, enabling the engineer to serve as the expert and highest-level resource. The position leads AEP system-wide activities in specific areas of engineering and influences decisions related to Generation control systems throughout the AEP system as a recognized authority. The Staff Engineer serves as design-basis delegated authority for official reviews and approvals, chief technical mentor for developing engineers, and the main plant contact for highly specialized technical support. They are a member of the Engineering, Projects, & Tech Services leadership team, developing organization strategy and policies, and are accountable for the development of technical policies, procedures, and standards for their technical area. This role involves identifying, resolving, and initiating solutions to highly complex problems unique to the company and industry, troubleshooting complex issues with plants and engineers, and owning continuous improvement initiatives. The Staff Engineer also leads in the preparation and presentation of complex technical subjects, communicates with executives and stakeholders on technical matters, builds teams and networks, and makes decisions that can impact the AEP system, business objectives, and strategic direction. They demonstrate the ability to make their area of expertise a strategic asset and exhibit the Engineering, Projects, & Tech Services philosophy and culture of Safety, Compliance, Plant Partnership, Responsiveness, and Accountability.

Requirements

10 or more years of related engineering experience along with a bachelor's degree in engineering in a program accredited by ABET.
OR 8 years of related engineering experience along with a Master's degree or PhD in engineering from a program accredited by ABET.
Generation Facility Control System Hardware and Software (DCS, PLC, etc.) expertise.
Control System tuning and troubleshooting expertise.
Plant Networking Hardware, Architecture, and tools expertise.
Process Instrumentation expertise.
ABET - Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.
Individuals with a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Technology can satisfy this degree requirement, if they obtain a certified Professional Engineering (PE) license.
Acceptable alternative is: 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.

Nice To Haves

Registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) in any U.S. state or Puerto Rico is highly preferred for this position unless approval to waive this requirement is given by the organization's EVP.
Confirmation is preferred 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

Performs advanced engineering work activities and projects.
Serves as the expert and highest-level resource in specialized technical areas.
Leads AEP system-wide activities in specific areas of engineering.
Leads project and development activity related to specific, unique, and/or highly specialized areas of engineering application.
Influences decisions related to Generation control systems throughout the AEP system.
Serves as design-basis delegated authority of official reviews and approvals for technical area.
Serves as chief technical mentor for developing engineers within technical area.
Acts as the main plant contact for highly specialized technical support within technical area.
Contributes to the Engineering, Projects, & Tech Services leadership team in developing organization strategy and policies.
Develops, recommends, and implements plans to address AEP system-wide issues within specialized field of technical expertise.
Works as part of the leadership team as a technical authority in the development of technical training and mentorship programs.
Works as part of the leadership team managing workload and resource utilization and optimization within the technical area.
Accountable for the development of technical policies, procedures, and standards for the technical area.
Identifies, resolves, and initiates solutions to highly complex problems that are unique to the company and industry.
Works closely with plants and engineers to troubleshoot complex issues.
Develops and owns continuous improvement initiatives within the technical area.
Leads in the preparation and presentation of the most complex technical subjects.
Communicates with executives, leadership team, plant staff, peers, engineers, and industry partners on technical matters.
Builds teams and networks that extend through AEP, other companies, professional organizations, regulatory agencies, and academia.
Relates to multiple levels of the organization to build and maintain professional relationships.
Builds trust with customers and partners based on character, competence, and accountability.
Makes decisions that are likely to impact the AEP system, business objectives, and strategic direction.
Takes full accountability for all technical decisions.
Demonstrates the ability to make their area of expertise a strategic asset of the AEP system.
Exhibits the Engineering, Projects, & Tech Services philosophy and culture of Safety, Compliance, Plant Partnership, Responsiveness, and Accountability.
Exhibits AEP Ways of Working in beliefs and actions.