Construction Lead Principal

Job Posting End Date

07-08-2026

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

Job Summary

The role of a Construction Lead Principal within one or more primary disciplines including Constructability, Construction Planning, Transmission Lines, Substations, Distribution, Fiber Communications, or Tower Communications is to provide leadership and field oversight to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality construction execution, with a strong emphasis on identifying and addressing safety risks. This position serves as the subject matter expert and primary liaison between Construction Management and cross functional partners, supporting project planning, coordination, and execution while ensuring alignment across stakeholders, schedules, and field activities.

Job Description

What You'll Do:

Transmission Lines, Substations, and Distribution

• Requires expertise in high-voltage and medium-voltage electrical infrastructure construction, including transmission line systems, distribution networks, and substation equipment such as transformers, breakers, and bus systems. Includes interpretation of discipline-specific technical documentation such as transmission plan and profile drawings, structure loading trees, sag and tension charts, substation one-line diagrams, protection and control schematics, and distribution staking sheets and feeder layouts. Involves construction methods unique to these systems, including conductor stringing, sagging and tension operations, structure erection, substation equipment installation, and distribution activities such as pole setting, framing, and overhead and underground conductor installation. Requires coordination of work in energized or near-energized environments with consideration for construction, outage sequencing, planning, switching requirements, and system reliability impacts.

What We're Looking For:

Construction Lead Principal SG9

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field with eight (8) years of experience in the applicable discipline;
• OR Bachelor’s degree in Construction Technology or ABET accredited Engineering Technology with ten (10) years of relevant experience;[JB1.1]
• OR Associate degree in Construction Management Technology or ABET-accredited Electrical or Civil Engineering Technology with twelve (12) years of relevant experience;
• OR high school diploma (or equivalent) with fourteen (14) years of experience in construction, project execution, or field operations within electric utility or infrastructure environments.

Experience:

• A thorough knowledge of the Bulk Electric System, from a design and/or operations perspective, AND experience within Construction Management, Transmission Engineering, Transmission Operations, or Distribution Operations is required to fulfill responsibilities of this job. 
• Related experience is defined as involvement with Construction Management, Transmission Engineering, Transmission Operations, or Distribution Operations.

In addition:

• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, mentor, and train junior personnel.
• Must be a team player, inquisitive, analytical, and be able to interact with and maintain working relationships with diverse teams.
• Ability to read and interpret one-line station diagrams and transmission line switching diagrams.
• Aptitude to understand switching and tagging and clearance points, with knowledge of P&C zones of protection.
• Capacity to lead in understanding, developing, and transmitting complex outage reservation communications to capital project stakeholders.
• Must have strong computer skills and apply skills to provide business-specific reports.

• Promote a healthy culture within the Construction Management Team through effective collaboration.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook, for data analysis, reporting, and communications   
• Experience using Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive for collaboration, document management, and team coordination    
• Familiarity with Power BI for data visualization and reporting, and Power Automate for workflow optimization is a plus    
• Strong ability to develop professional presentations, dashboards, and reports to communicate project status, risks, and performance metrics     
• Experience working in a digital, collaboration-driven environment with structured file management and version control practices   
• Ability to quickly learn and apply enterprise systems such as project scheduling tools, work management systems, and GIS platforms    
• Strong organizational and documentation skills to support standardized processes, reporting, and knowledge sharing across teams   
• An understanding of Bulk Electric System operations, construction management practices, or engineering disciplines supporting transmission, distribution, or communication infrastructure is required.    
• Candidates must demonstrate strong analytical and technical capabilities, including the ability to interpret project documentation, plans, and schedules.
• Travel Requirements: >25%

Where you’ll work:

This role sits on site in Niles, Michigan  

What you’ll get:

Construction Lead Principal SG9($116,255-$151,132)

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)

$116K- $151K / Year  

#LI-Onsite

#AEPCareers

#Construction

Compensation Data

Compensation Grade:

SP20-009

Compensation Range:

$116,255.00 - $151,132.50

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.