This role pays less than
99%
of similar roles. Most pay
$150,000–$214,000
— the shaded band above.
At the midpoint, this role pays about
$100k
versus about
$182k
for comparable roles.
Based on 240 similar postings.
Employer
About American Electric Power (AEP)
American Electric Power (AEP) is one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, delivering electricity to customers across 11 states through an extensive transmission and distribution network. Industry: Electric Utilities
American Electric Power (AEP) currently has
22 open roles
on FindRole.
Listed pay typically runs
$110,000–$129,000
across 22 roles with salary data.
The Distribution System Operations Real-Time Reliability Engineer joins a newly formed team focused on integrating distributed energy resources into the modern grid. This role involves evaluating and coordinating DER impacts, performing engineering studies on voltage performance, thermal loading, and protection coordination, and developing operational frameworks for distribution systems. The engineer will build and maintain planning models, forecast tools, and decision-support systems to ensure reliability while managing technologies like SCADA, sensors, Volt/VAR Optimization, and Distribution Automation. Key technical competencies include expertise in DERMS, ADMS, FLISR, and intentional islanding strategies. The role addresses the complex challenge of integrating distributed energy resources and aggregations under FERC Order 2222 within evolving market structures. Candidates must translate complex technical findings into actionable guidance to enhance grid flexibility and reliability across multiple RTO/ISO regions while ensuring safe operation of a DER-enabled electric grid.
Perform engineering studies and operational analyses to evaluate the impacts of DERs on distribution system reliability, voltage performance, and thermal loading.
Develop and maintain operational planning models, forecasts, and contingency analyses to support reliable grid integration.
Identify emerging DER-related system constraints and provide recommendations to mitigate operational and reliability risks.
Provide technical guidance and operational recommendations to Dispatch Centers regarding real-time system conditions and planned activities.
Create operating criteria, procedures, and decision-support tools for the safe operation of a DER-enabled electric grid.
Support the implementation of advanced capabilities including DERMS, ADMS, FLISR, Volt/VAR Optimization, and intentional islanding strategies.
Analyze distribution system impacts associated with DER participation under FERC Order 2222 and evolving market models.
Maintain technical documentation, study results, and operating guidelines related to grid reliability and modernization.
What we're looking for
Bachelor's degree in engineering from an ABET accredited program or a Bachelor's in Engineering Technology with a PE license.
Master's or PhD in engineering from an ABET accredited program (may substitute for some years of experience).
Two or more years of related engineering experience (required for SG7 level).
Four or more years of related engineering experience (required for SG8 level).
Eight or more years of related engineering experience (required for SG9 level).
Professional Engineer (PE) registration in any U.S. state or Puerto Rico (preferred).
Experience in distribution or transmission operations, including DERs, VPPs, and advanced distribution management systems (preferred).
Knowledge of wholesale energy markets, RTO/ISO responsibilities, and FERC 2222 impacts (preferred).
ADMS
SCADA
OMS
DMS
GIS
ICCP
Power BI
VMware vCenter
Linux
Windows
Networking
Firewalls
Root Cause Analysis
Log Analysis
System Integration
Cybersecurity
ADMS
SCADA
OMS
DMS
GIS
ICCP
Power BI
VMware vCenter
Linux
Windows
Networking
Firewalls
Log Analysis
Root Cause Analysis
Cybersecurity
System Integration
Patching