Geotechnical Engineer Principal

Job Posting End Date

04-30-2025

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

Job Summary

Responsible to the assigned supervisor 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.

Job Description

BUSINESS UNIT: Generation

ORGANIZATION: Environmental Services

FOCUS: Geotechnical Support - Coal Combustion Residual (CCR) Compliance & New Projects

Travel to AEP sites/projects up to 25% is expected.

More Specific to This Opportunity:

Fundamental engineering knowledge and skills in these areas:

• Fluid Mechanics
• Hydraulics and Hydrology
• Soil Mechanics and Foundations
• Civil Engineering Materials
• Estimating
• Surveying
• AutoCAD and/or ArcMAP
• Construction means and methods

Experience:

- Emphasis will be placed on candidates having compliance experience with the EPA Coal Combustion Residual (40 CFR Part 257) rules.

• Have experience in geotechnical engineering and/or general civil engineering
• Have experience in the design of dams/hydro facilities or solid waste landfills   
• Have experience in site layout, drainage, roads, culverts, sediment and retention ponds, flood routing, erosion control, slopes and contouring, and slope stability
• Have experience with stormwater pollution prevention plan permitting and be knowledgeable on relevant regulations
• Have experience in developing engineering scope of work, developing engineering specifications and details, and developing bid documents
• Have experience performing inspections and preparing technical reports
• Have experience working with federal and state regulatory agencies, and be familiar with pertinent rules and laws for dam safety and solid waste landfills
• Have experience overseeing the work of contractors and/or consultants, and holding them accountable to the contract documents  
• Have experience collecting, monitoring, and analyzing geotechnical instrumentation data to identify hazardous trends
• Have a PE license in at least one state, or be on track to obtain a PE licensee within one-two years after starting work

Working Conditions:

• Willing to occasionally travel to construction sites across the company footprint on one-to-three-day site visits.
• Ability to flex between working in an office environment and being able to work outside (sometimes inclement weather) and walk up/down slopes
• Ability and desire to adapt quickly to changing needs to support the team and the company mission
• Has a good personality and can quickly build relationships with field/plant personnel, as well as office professionals
• Has a can-do attitude and willing to take on challenging work

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Technical Expertise: Exhibits advanced level proficiency plus advanced knowledge of a specialized technical area that enables the engineer to serve as a resource for the company in an area such as system production, underground systems, extensive control systems, thermo-hydraulic control systems, distribution standards, fossil or nuclear plant operations, etc.

Leadership & Guidance: Influences the direction of thinking throughout the organizational unit as a recognized authority in an area of expertise. Leads, facilitates and coordinates work activities of others within work group, team, department, corporate entity, or those external to the company and assumes the role of project or function manager for assigned tasks.

Planning & Organization Ability: Develops, recommends, and implements plans that include all scheduling, resource, and cost information and control required to address complex engineering problems that require the input and efforts of a wide array of entities both internal and external to the company.

Problem Solving & Initiative: Identifies, clarifies, resolves, and initiates solutions to complex problems that require multi-functional, or organizational, interfacing and/or multi-disciplined analytical techniques. Develops opportunities and new ideas and approaches that have system-wide impact.

Communication: Leads in the preparation and presentation of complex technical subjects, clearly, concisely, and persuasively, bringing in ancillary issues before senior management, professional organizations, regulatory bodies, etc. Projects credibility and competence on technical issues and has highly developed presentation skills.

Interpersonal Skills: Builds teams and networks that extend through AEP, and other companies, professional organizations, regulatory agencies, and academia. Networks throughout AEP, other companies, professional organizations, and regulatory agencies.

Decision Making: Possesses the experience and knowledge to make some technical decisions based on calculated risks without management review. Makes decisions affecting long range plans and goals based on analysis of highly uncertain input and outcomes. Visualizes long-term results. Makes decisions where differences of opinion are likely to exist. Makes decisions that have an impact across organizational boundaries.

Business Awareness & Characteristics: Demonstrates vision in identifying business opportunities for the organizational unit. Understands how strategies and decisions impact the relationship with our customers and suppliers.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Has typically acquired 8 or more years of related engineering experience along with a Bachelor's degree in engineering in a program accredited by ABET*; or 6 years of related engineering experience along with a Master's or PhD in engineering from a program accredited by ABET*.  Registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) in any U.S. state or Puerto Rico** is preferred.

Acceptable alternatives are

(1) a Bachelor's degree in engineering (non-ABET), plus a Professional Engineers (PE) license in any state of the U.S. or

(2) a 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.** Confirmation is required to ensure the PE obtained in Puerto Rico aligns with NCEES standards.

INITIAL POSITION / BASE SALARY FUNDING:  approximately ($113,000 - $146,000/year). In addition to base salary, AEP offers competitive Total Rewards including: discretionary annual incentive, 401(k), pension, health insurance, life/AD&D insurance, vacation, educational assistance, etc.

Compensation Data

Compensation Grade:

SP20-009

Compensation Range:

$112,869.00-146,730.50 USD

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.