Telecom Consultant Senior to Principal

American Electric Power•Gahanna, OH

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Independently plans, researches, evaluates, designs, and develops Transport Network systems for AEP. Prepares detailed scoping and execution packages from high-level development designs. Configures, installs, and determines traffic optimization requirements of the Transport Network. Establishes relationships with other AEP business units to better develop and optimize the AEP Transport Network. Assists operations at a tier three level as needed to support the Transport Network. What You'll Do: Telecommunications Consultant Senior Support telecommunications transport projects by developing engineering deliverables required for installation, configuration, and turn‑up of DWDM, IP, SONET, Carrier Ethernet, and Microwave transport systems. Assist with transport network design and architecture by applying established engineering principles across optical, packet, and microwave platforms, escalating complex issues as needed. Coordinate with project management, design, traffic engineering, protection/controls, and operations teams to identify risks and ensure successful execution of transport solutions. Ensure engineering documentation and network records accurately reflect deployed DWDM, IP, SONET, Carrier Ethernet, and Microwave infrastructure to support long‑term operations. Prepares cost estimates and appropriate documentation of project work using established guidelines. Support project handoffs by ensuring designs, materials information, and implementation details for transport systems are complete and clearly communicated. Follow AEP’s organizational structure, values, and safety practices. Telecommunications Consultant Principal Lead end‑to‑end delivery of telecommunications transport projects from initial scope through implementation and turn‑up across DWDM, IP/MPLS, SONET, Carrier Ethernet, and Microwave transport systems. Act as a technical authority for transport network design, guiding architectural decisions to ensure resilient, scalable, and maintainable solutions across optical, packet, and RF‑based transport platforms. Own and review detailed engineering deliverables, including transport connectivity designs, equipment integration plans, capacity planning, and installation guidance for fiber‑ and microwave‑based transport networks. Drive cross‑functional coordination with project management, design, traffic engineering, protection/controls, and operations teams to identify risks and ensure successful execution of transport solutions. Ensure engineering documentation and network records accurately reflect deployed DWDM, IP, SONET, Carrier Ethernet, and Microwave infrastructure to support long‑term operations. Prepares cost estimates and appropriate documentation of project work using established guidelines. Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineers and contract resources, promoting consistent engineering practices and high‑quality deployments across all transport technologies. Manage vendor relationships and partnerships. Promote AEP’s organizational structure, values, and safety practices.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in engineering, engineering technology, computer science, telecommunications, or related field of study OR associate’s degree in field mentioned above with two (2) years of relevant work experience OR HS diploma/GED with four (4) years of relevant work experience required.
Five (5) years of relevant work experience in addition to any experience mentioned above.
Valid Driver's License Required.
Ten (10) years of relevant work experience in addition to any experience mentioned above.
Possess solid level knowledge of communications technologies and inter-networking principles.
Demonstrate superior technical skills in a single area of specialization.
Demonstrate competency in analytical techniques necessary to handle complex assignments (e.g., by dividing the problem into component steps, and performing the analysis necessary to complete each step.)
Exhibit understanding for pertinent telecom equipment, materials, systems and business processes.
Keep abreast of new products, developments, technologies, procedures and equipment.
Demonstrate ability to develop new approaches to make informed decisions in the absence of a definite framework or where few precedents exists.
Demonstrate ability to make decisions affection long-range plans and goals based on analysis of uncertain input and outcomes.
Identify, clarify, resolve and initiate solutions to routine problems that sometimes involve analysis of inadequate or conflicting data.
Exhibit ability to understand interrelationships between systems and component equipment.
Demonstrate ability to analyze and recommend enhancements to business processes.
Collaborate with others within the work group, department, or other corporate entity as necessary to complete routine activities.
Provide cross-training to other employees as assigned.
Coordinate and conduct training sessions as assigned.
Initiate corrective action when project objectives are not being met.
Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Demonstrate the ability to extrapolate beyond known facts to reach logical conclusions.
Demonstrate ability and desire to seek out opportunities and embrace new ideas and approaches.
Demonstrate an attitude and desire to listen to and satisfy both internal and external customers who use and depend upon their organizational unit.
Understand how technical strategies and decisions impact the business units and their overall business functions.
Use initiative in looking for opportunities and presenting new ideas and new approaches.
Relate to people in an open, friendly and sincere manner.
Effectively lead and facilitate meetings.
Use initiative in looking for opportunities to increase job knowledge and technical skills.
Core Competencies: Continuous improvement, team player, assume positive intent, safety first focus, continuous learning, professionalism.

Nice To Haves

Preference to have either an Engineering in Training EIT Certificate in any U.S. State, or Cisco CCNA Certification

Responsibilities

Support telecommunications transport projects by developing engineering deliverables required for installation, configuration, and turn‑up of DWDM, IP, SONET, Carrier Ethernet, and Microwave transport systems.
Assist with transport network design and architecture by applying established engineering principles across optical, packet, and microwave platforms, escalating complex issues as needed.
Coordinate with project management, design, traffic engineering, protection/controls, and operations teams to identify risks and ensure successful execution of transport solutions.
Ensure engineering documentation and network records accurately reflect deployed DWDM, IP, SONET, Carrier Ethernet, and Microwave infrastructure to support long‑term operations.
Prepares cost estimates and appropriate documentation of project work using established guidelines.
Support project handoffs by ensuring designs, materials information, and implementation details for transport systems are complete and clearly communicated.
Follow AEP’s organizational structure, values, and safety practices.
Lead end‑to‑end delivery of telecommunications transport projects from initial scope through implementation and turn‑up across DWDM, IP/MPLS, SONET, Carrier Ethernet, and Microwave transport systems.
Act as a technical authority for transport network design, guiding architectural decisions to ensure resilient, scalable, and maintainable solutions across optical, packet, and RF‑based transport platforms.
Own and review detailed engineering deliverables, including transport connectivity designs, equipment integration plans, capacity planning, and installation guidance for fiber‑ and microwave‑based transport networks.
Drive cross‑functional coordination with project management, design, traffic engineering, protection/controls, and operations teams to identify risks and ensure successful execution of transport solutions.
Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineers and contract resources, promoting consistent engineering practices and high‑quality deployments across all transport technologies.
Manage vendor relationships and partnerships.