Constructability Lead Senior - Principal
About the role
The role of a Construction Lead 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.
Responsibilities
Constructability: Integrates construction methodology into early project development through the creation and standardization of Constructability Scoping Reports. Evaluates projects at a conceptual level and defines optimal construction approaches prior to detailed design. Leads cross-functional scoping efforts to align construction sequencing, access, and execution strategy early in the project lifecycle. Uses GIS, drawings, and other tools to help provide a construction sequence, identify access constraints, and evaluate outage coordination, material flow, and logistical risks. Incorporates site conditions, constructability challenges, and execution constraints into standardized scoping deliverables. Supports continuous improvement efforts, including lessons learned integration, contractor feedback incorporation, and refinement of constructability practices to improve planning consistency, efficiency, and execution readiness.
Construction Planner: Develops detailed construction plans and outage sequencing strategies for capital projects, translating project scope into executable construction workflows. Manages a portfolio of projects while optimizing outage utilization and aligning construction activities with system constraints and operational needs. Analyzes and validates project schedules, emphasizing interpretation of P6 schedules to ensure construction plans are executable and aligned with project milestones and in-service dates. Identifies schedule conflicts, outage constraints, and sequencing risks early in the planning process. Coordinates outage planning and prioritization across multiple projects, including resolving conflicts between capital projects and maintenance activities. Leads construction plan review discussions and supports data-driven planning decisions based on system conditions and project priorities.
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. Interprets 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. Executes 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. Coordinates work in energized or near-energized environments with consideration for construction, outage sequencing, planning, switching requirements, and system reliability impacts.
Tower Communications: Specialized expertise in telecommunication tower construction, including antenna system installation, RF systems, and wireless infrastructure deployment. Knowledge of tower structural behavior and telecom-specific grounding and bonding practices. Interprets tower structural drawings, rigging plans, and RF equipment installation specifications, adhering to telecom industry standards such as ANSI/TIA-222, ANSI/TIA-322, ANSI 10.48, and ASME B30. Executes rigging-intensive construction activities, including gin pole setup, lift planning, load calculations, and hoisting operations for tower erection and modification. Executes telecom-specific construction sequencing such as tower stacking and antenna system upgrades, emphasizing elevated work environments and rigging-related constraints.
Fiber Communications: Centers on fiber optic network construction, including aerial and underground cable installation, splicing, testing, and system commissioning. Understands fiber optic cable systems, routing methods, and network configurations supporting utility communication infrastructure. Interprets fiber-specific documentation such as splice diagrams, fiber assignment records, and communication network schematics, along with familiarity in testing practices including OTDR validation and signal performance verification. Executes installation methods unique to fiber deployment, including cable pulling, blowing, aerial placement, splice enclosure installation, and fiber termination. Coordinates communication system integration to maintain network continuity and operational functionality.
Qualifications
Construction Lead Senior: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Safety or related field and six (6) years’ experience of overseeing/directing transmission and distribution station construction and/or transmission line construction work. OR ABET accredited Associate degree in electrical, construction management, safety, civil engineering technology or related field of study and eight (8) years’ experience in overseeing/directing transmission and distribution station construction and/or transmission line construction work OR High school diploma or GED with a minimum of ten (10) years of direct experience as an AEP/contractor line or station field employee or Construction Rep.
Construction Lead Principal: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or related field and eight (8) years’ experience of overseeing/directing transmission and distribution station construction and/or transmission line construction work. OR Bachelor’s degree in Construction Technology or ABET-accredited Engineering Technology with ten (10) years of relevant experience. 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 GED with fourteen (14) years of experience in construction, project execution, or field operations within electric utility or infrastructure environments.
Skills
Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, mentor, and train junior personnel.
Team player, inquisitive, analytical, and able to interact with and maintain working relationships with diverse teams.
Aptitude to understand and interpret conceptual scopes of work and visualize the safest and most effective method of construction and identify potential risks and hazards to be removed.
Capacity to lead in understanding, developing, and clearly presenting complicated construction sequencing to the project team.
Strong computer skills and ability to grasp and use new technologies as they become available.
Strong analytical skills to visualize a conceptual project and how it will be built, able to visualize and plan for potential risks associated with the construction or proposed facilities.
Being able to conduct substation and transmission line site visits. Driving a vehicle long distance to conduct site visits.
Avid concentration levels. Decision making and collaborative skills in stressful situations.
Benefits
Standard base pay is: Construction Lead Sr - $98,993-$128,689/year. Construction Lead Prin - $116,255-$151,132/year. 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.
Pay
Compensation Grade: SP20-008
Compensation Range: $98,993.00 - $151,132.50
Schedule
The Physical Demand Level for this job is: S – Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently 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.
Where
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!
Compensation Data
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