{"id":1334119,"url":"https://alion.io/job/aes-principal-engineer-thermal-projects","title":"Principal Engineer - Thermal Projects","company":{"id":1754852,"name":"AES Corporation","domain":"aes.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/aes-com","size_band":"1001-5000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Workday","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":93,"open_postings":18,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.278,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":26,"computed_at":"2026-11-08T05:47:12Z"}},"role":"Industrial Engineering","role_family":"Industrial Engineering","seniority":"lead","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"hybrid","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Louisville, United States","New York, United States","Houston, United States","Salt Lake City, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":145000,"max":181050,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":181050},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":10,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"AutoCAD","optional":true},{"name":"ETAP","optional":true},{"name":"Microsoft Office","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-09-18T00:00:00Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-09-18","last_verified_at":"2026-11-07T06:12:49Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":51,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":51},"description":"Are you ready to be part of a company that's not just talking about the future, but actively shaping it? Join The AES Corporation, the largest US-based global power company with a team of 8,300 employees across 12 countries. \nAES has been ranked #1 by BloombergNEF in renewable energy sales to corporations in the US and Americas for five consecutive years, providing electricity for millions of people worldwide. \nWe are proud to foster a strong workplace culture, earning prominent positions in Great Place to Work™ rankings across the markets where we operate. AES was also named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the 13th consecutive year in 2026, highlighting our dedication to integrity, transparency, and responsible business practices.\nOur spirit of innovation continues to earn industry recognition. AES is the only seven-time winner of the Edison Electric Institute’s Edison Awards in the twenty-first century, a distinction honoring global leadership in advancing the electric power industry. \nIf you're ready to be part of a company that's not just adapting to change, but driving it, AES is the place for you. We're not just building a more sustainable future, we're powering it. Apply now and energize your career with a true leader in global energy.\nThe Principal Engineer - Thermal Projects will be responsible for managing third parties in the design and engineering of thermal power generation projects in development, construction, and operation. Responsibilities include engineer management, design reviews, contract document development and negotiation, procurement specification preparation, and other technical support activities.\nThe Principal Project Engineer will join a team of project engineers reporting to the Director of Engineering and will serve as the lead project engineer for assigned projects. Additional responsibilities include mentoring and training other Engineers, directly supporting additional projects as a subject matter expert, driving innovation within the team, and driving institutional change within the wider organization.\nThe successful candidate will have a depth of experience in the development, analysis, and design of thermal generation facilities, including gas turbines, reciprocating internal combustion engine (RICE) power plants, combined-cycle facilities, simple-cycle generation, cogeneration systems, hybrid thermal generation projects, heat recovery steam generators (HRSGs), steam turbines, and associated thermal balance-of-plant systems. Experience with related technologies and infrastructure, including natural gas and LNG systems, electrical interconnections, battery energy storage systems (BESS), microgrids, renewable energy integration, and data center power solutions, is highly desirable. Experience with other generation technologies including renewable energy, nuclear, hydroelectric, or emerging energy technologies is a plus. Excellent communication, task management, and planning skills are needed, in addition to technical depth and breadth.\nThe position is at one of AES US Renewables & Power offices or remote and will include up to 25% travel to project locations and partner offices.\nKey Responsibilities\nProject Execution \nSupport EPC engagement by preparing contract exhibits and supporting RFI’s during contract negotiations.\nSeek and evaluate proposals for engineering services.\nManage engineering consultants and Engineer Procure Construct (EPC) contractors through development of project construction drawings and support materials.\nPerform technical project due diligence and project engineering design reviews to ensure compliance with company and industry standards.\nLead external and internal design review meetings.\nCoordinate feedback from internal stakeholders and subject matter experts (SMEs) on design reviews.\nValue engineer system designs to maximize reliability and reduce overall project cost.\nEstablish/review technical specifications of owner furnished equipment in coordination with Procurement and Sourcing.\nManage Procore RFIs and submittals and ensure complete and timely responses in coordination with other internal teams.\nTechnical support during construction including:Respond to contractor requests for information (RFIs).\nSupport field quality assurance (QA)/quality control (QC).\nReview test reports for compliance with contract requirements and technical standards.\nSupport the technical resolution of punch list items.\nSupport startup, commissioning, performance testing, and commercial operation activities.\n\nSupport internal Owner’s Engineering team through financing activities.\nSupport Operations/Asset Management teams to resolve technical issues at operating sites.\nAssist Development and Project Management teams with development of key financial inputs.\nDevelop and implement technical solutions to market specific requirements in coordination with market manager.\nReview and evaluate major equipment performance guarantees, reliability guarantees, availability guarantees, operating constraints, heat rate performance, emissions requirements, and project design assumptions.\nSupport fuel supply and infrastructure evaluations, including natural gas and LNG systems, in coordination with internal and external stakeholders.\nSupport permitting, environmental, and interconnection activities by providing technical input related to plant design, equipment selection, operating profiles, and emissions characteristics.\nGrowth and Leadership\nContribute to process improvement initiatives for the execution of safe, quality, and high-performance projects.\nProvide timely feedback on EPC and external engineer performance, and document lessons learned to influence internal process enhancements.\nMentor and educate team on changing trends in technology, best practices, code enforcement, and safety.\nDirect mentorship of other Engineers on job requirements and technical acumen.\nSupport the team as a technical subject matter expert.\nSupport evaluation of emerging technologies and companies for the Approved Vendor List.\nLead technical evaluations of new thermal generation technologies and provide recommendations to support project development, technology selection, and long-term business strategy.\nSafety\nAttend site safety walks and identify jobsite hazards.\nObtain and maintain safety training certifications (NFPA 70E, OSHA 10-hour, and CPR/first aid).\nLead by example.\nSkills and Qualifications\nPrimary Qualifications\nUndergraduate degree in engineering (mechanical preferred) or equivalent technical field.\n10+ years professional experience in energy system design, project or land development, and/or construction. Advanced degrees in a related field may be credited towards years of experience.\n5+ years of experience in project management, consulting, or as a project engineer.\nEngineering design experience with thermal power generation facilities, including gas turbines, RICE power plants, combined-cycle facilities, simple-cycle facilities, cogeneration systems, HRSGs, steam turbines, and associated balance-of-plant systems.\nAbility to evaluate technical decisions with consideration for cost, schedule, constructability, operability, maintainability, and project risk.\nExperience reviewing operations and maintenance requirements, maintenance philosophies, outage planning considerations, and long-term asset performance expectations.\nStrong communication and interpersonal skills, including ability to successfully work cross-functionally across a large organization.\nSelf-starter with ability to work effectively in a remote and/or distributed team environment.\nAbility to effectively manage third party consultants, vendors, and internal stakeholders.\nProficient with MS Office Suite.\nDirect project experience with Procore.\nPlus Qualifications\nGraduate degree in engineering\nEIT or PE qualifications\nKnowledge of thermal power plant codes, standards, and industry practices\nExperience with air permitting, emissions compliance, and environmental regulations applicable to thermal generation facilities\nUnderstanding of generator interconnection processes and grid compliance requirements\nExperience with fuel systems, including natural gas and LNG infrastructure\nExperience with ETAP, SKM, AspenTech, GT PRO, Thermoflow, or other advanced power system and thermal performance modeling tools\nSubstation/High Voltage design experience\nStructural/SCADA/commissioning engineering design experience\nExperience with AutoCAD Civil3D\nFluency in Spanish or Portuguese\nWe offer a comprehensive benefits package including market competitive medical, dental, vision, life, market leading 401(K), generous Paid Time Off (PTO), and parental leave.\nAES is an Equal Opportunity Employer who is committed to building strength and delivering long-term sustainability through diversity and inclusion. Respecting all backgrounds, differences and perspectives enables us to improve the lives of our people, customers, suppliers, contractors, and the communities in which we live and work. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and/or expression, race, national origin, ethnicity, age, religion, marital status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law. E-Verify Notice: AES will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee's I-9 to confirm work authorization.The expected salary for this position, at commencement of employment, is between $145,000 and $181,050/year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position also includes annual bonus. The benefits offered for this position are: medical, dental, and vision coverage, life insurance, 401(k) eligibility, and paid time off (including vacation, sick leave time, and parental leave). Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if a candidate receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.Apply by clicking the application link below and submitting your information. 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