Job Description

Job Posting End Date

05-31-2026

Please note the job posting will close on the day before the posting end date.

AEP is investing to support significant load growth driven by new industry, data centers, and widespread electrification, and we are seeking an underground transmission Subject Matter Expert who wants to help build what comes next. In this role, you will lead the design, engineering, installation, testing, and restoration of high voltage and extra high voltage underground cable systems spanning 34.5 kV to 765 kV, across both AC and DC applications. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in solid dielectric XLPE and high‑pressure fluid‑filled pipe‑type cable systems, complex jointing and termination practices, and thermal performance analysis. As a technical leader within our underground transmission engineering organization, you will guide projects from front‑end engineering design through commissioning and energization, set standards that others follow, and shape how AEP delivers safe, reliable, and resilient power for decades to come.

Why this role

• Drive the engineering of complex, high‑consequence customer and competitive projects across AEP’s territories, including urban corridors, river crossings, interconnections, and station interfaces.
• Set enterprise-wide electrical standards that raise safety and reliability performance.
• Influence the supply base and drive innovation in cables, accessories, and installation methods.
• Join a collaborative culture that values being engaged, informed, collaborative, mutual care, and solution oriented.

What you’ll do:

System design, engineering, and standards

• Develop end to end designs for underground transmission lines including duct bank configurations, conduit sizing, riser and transition structures, vault and manhole layouts, and equipment interfaces.
• Perform cable route analysis, feasibility analysis, and installation engineering
• Produce and maintain specifications, guidelines, and standards for design, construction, and restoration practices.

Cable splicing and terminations

• Oversee selection and installation of advanced joints and terminations, including GIS terminations, outdoor terminations, and oil filled interfaces.
• Qualify splice kits and accessories and ensure workmanship practices that meet or exceed utility and manufacturer requirements.

Thermal analysis and ampacity

• Execute ampacity studies using CYMCAP or similar tools accounting for soil thermal resistivity, mutual heating, cyclic loading, and thermal backfill.
• Advise on thermal upgrades, ratings, and operating envelopes across varied installation environments.

Testing, commissioning, and diagnostics

• Define and witness factory acceptance testing for power cables and accessories, including partial discharge and type testing.
• Lead post installation testing programs including VLF and Hi-Pot, offline partial discharge diagnostics, sheath integrity testing and cross bonding verification, and time domain reflectometry for impedance mismatches and fault location.
• Establish commissioning procedures and documentation for energization.

Restoration and reliability

• Lead emergency restoration including fault location (thumping, TDR), forensic analysis, and root cause analysis for cable and accessory failures.
• Drive corrective and preventive actions, updates to standards, and supplier performance improvements.

Standards, suppliers, and continuous improvement

• Maintain and advance underground transmission standards and material specifications; evaluate and qualify new materials and suppliers in partnership with Supply Chain.
• Lead rollouts of new standards and best practices to internal and external stakeholders and support regional teams executing the capital plan.
• Champion process improvement initiatives that improve safety, quality, and schedule predictability.

Technical standards and compliance

Demonstrated mastery of:

• IEEE 48 (terminations), IEEE 404 (splices), IEEE 835 (ampacity).
• IEC 60840 (30 kV to 150 kV), IEC 62067 (150 kV to 500 kV) power cable systems testing.
• AEIC CS9 for XLPE and EPR insulated cables.
• Working knowledge of the National Electrical Safety Code and relevant IEEE publications tied to transmission materials and construction.

What we are looking for:

Engineer SG7

• Has typically acquired a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from an ABET accredited engineering program, along with two (2) or more years of related engineering experience.
• Individuals with a master’s degree in electrical engineering from an ABET accredited engineering program may be considered for entry at this level.

Acceptable alternative:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from a non-ABET program, plus a master’s degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering from a university with an ABET accredited bachelor’s program.

Engineer Senior SG8

• Has typically acquired four (4) or more years of related engineering experience along with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from an ABET accredited engineering program; or
• Two years of related engineering experience along with a master’s degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering from an ABET accredited engineering program.

Acceptable alternative:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from a non-ABET program, plus a master’s degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering from a university with an ABET accredited bachelor’s program.
• VP or above may waive the requirement for a degree from an ABET accredited program.

Engineer Principal SG9

• Has typically acquired eight (8) or more years of related engineering experience along with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from an ABET accredited engineering program; or
• Six years of related engineering experience along with a master’s degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering from an ABET accredited engineering program.

Acceptable alternative:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from a non-ABET program, plus a master’s degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering from a university with an ABET accredited bachelor’s program.
• VP or above may waive the requirement for a degree from an ABET accredited program.

Engineer Staff SG10

• Has typically acquired ten (10) or more years of related engineering experience along with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from an ABET accredited engineering program; or
• Eight years of related engineering experience along with a master’s degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering from an ABET accredited engineering program.
• Registration as a Professional Engineer in any U.S. state or Puerto Rico is preferred unless approval to waive this requirement is granted by the organization’s EVP.
• Confirmation is preferred to ensure any Professional Engineer license obtained in Puerto Rico aligns with NCEES standards.

Acceptable alternative:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from a non-ABET program, plus a master’s degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering from a university with an ABET accredited bachelor’s program.
• VP or above may waive the requirement for a degree from an ABET accredited program.

In addition:

Technical skills

• Solid dielectric XLPE and self-contained fluid filled cable systems.
• Cable system ampacity modeling with CYMCAP or similar tools.
• Cable route engineering, installation constraints, and constructability.
• Commissioning and post installation testing includes VLF, Hi-Pot, offline PD, sheath testing, cross bonding verification, and TDR.
• Condition assessment for existing solid dielectric and pipe type cable systems.
• Proficiency with MicroStation or AutoCAD and Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Nice to have

• Experience with hydraulic systems for fluid filled cables or nitrogen, static pressure systems.
• Geotechnical interpretation for underground installations including soil borings and thermal backfill selection.
• Grounding, shielding, line insulation, and EMF considerations for urban and constrained corridors.
• Familiarity with overhead standards and structural tools such as PLS CADD, PLS Pole, and PLS Tower for standards integration.
• Experience working with enterprise Supply Chain to manage material blankets and supplier relationships.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for technical reports, standards, and stakeholder engagements.
• Full time, approximately 40 hours per week with casual overtime as needed to meet project schedules.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Assignments may require infrequent overnight travel and strict adherence to company and industry safety procedures.

Where you’ll work:

This role sits on site in New Albany, Ohio.

What you’ll get:

Engineer SG7($84,000-$105,000)

Engineer Senior SG8($96,000-$125,000)

Engineer Principal SG9($112,000-$145,000)

Engineer Staff SG10($137,000-$177,000)

In addition to competitive compensation, AEP offers a unique comprehensive benefits package that aims to support and enhance the overall well-being of our employees.

Where Putting the Customer First Powers Everything We Do

At AEP, we’re more than just an energy company — we’re a team of dedicated professionals committed to delivering safe, reliable, and innovative energy solutions. Guided by our mission to put the customer first, we strive to exceed expectations by listening, responding, and continuously improving the way we serve our communities. If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact and being part of a forward-thinking organization, this is the company for you!

American Electric Power (On-Site)

$84K- $177K / Year

#LI-Onsite

#AEPCareers

#Engineer

Compensation Data

Compensation Grade:

SP20-007

Compensation Range:

$87,633.00 - $177,503.00

The Physical Demand Level for this job is: S – Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (Occasionally: activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently. (Frequently: activity or condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

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It is hereby reaffirmed that it is the policy of American Electric Power (AEP) to provide Equal Employment Opportunity in all respects of the employer-employee relationship including recruiting, hiring, upgrading and promotion, conditions and privileges of employment, company sponsored training programs, educational assistance, social and recreational programs, compensation, benefits, transfers, discipline, layoffs and termination of employment to all employees and applicants without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, veteran or military status, disability, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. When required by law, we might record certain information or applicants for employment may be invited to voluntarily disclose protected characteristics.