Geotechnical Engineer Senior Principal

Geotechnical Engineer Senior Principal to Staff

Job Posting End Date: 06-08-2026. Please note the job posting will close the day before the posting end date.

The Principal Geotechnical Engineer is responsible for performing advanced engineering work activities and projects requiring the application of engineering knowledge in a safe, effective, efficient and economic accomplishment of assigned objectives.

We're seeking a Principal Geotechnical Engineer in the Roanoke, VA vicinity with eight (8) or more years of experience in geotechnical engineering. Electric utility projects experience is strongly preferred.

Qualified candidates shall possess knowledge of geotechnical engineering principles through education and/or demonstrated project experience related to the following core areas:

• Earthwork, retaining wall, slope stability and landslide mitigation design
• Foundation design (drilled piers, steel grillages, steel caissons, micro piles, helical piles, driven piles, and guy anchors)
• Subsurface investigations and desktop geologic research
• Geotechnical construction

• SLOPE/W (or equivalent) slope stability software
• FAD Tools, LPILE, SHAFT, GROUP, etc. foundation design software
• Civil 3D

The Principal/Staff Geotechnical Engineer is expected to review and seal foundation and landslide mitigation designs as assigned. Successful candidates will possess the following professional skills:

• Leadership
• High‑impact communication
• Positive disposition
• Collaboration
• Planning and organization

• 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 for this position unless approval to waive this requirement is given by the organization's EVP.*

• 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.

• Has typically acquired 12 or more years of related engineering experience along with a Bachelor's degree in engineering in a program accredited by ABET*;
• Or 10 years of related engineering experience along with a Master's degree 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 for this position unless approval to waive this requirement is given by the organization's EVP.*

• 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.

• Travel (~20%) is required for this position and will consist of trips to the field to diagnose geotechnical issues related to electric transmission lines and substations.
• Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 hours per day.
• Some OT may be required, as approved.

This role sits on site in Roanoke, Virginia.

Engineer Principal SG9 ($130,000-$150,000)

Engineer Staff SG10 ($150,000-$170,000)

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.

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…