Designer (Onsite in Corpus Christi, TX)

American Electric Power Co.; Corpus Christi (TX); On-site; USD 36,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

American Electric Power Co. in Texas seeks a Designer to perform CAD drafting for maps, sketches, and schematics, with general supervision. You will maintain drawings and document work activities, supporting engineering teams while handling clerical tasks per AEP requirements.

The role emphasizes proficiency in CAD software and Microsoft Office, collaboration across departments, and travel up to 10% to substations or plants. Overtime and shift work may be required.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in drafting/CAD (AAS) or related education or equivalent experience.
• High school graduate with four years of electric utility drafting experience if no AAS.
• Willingness to overtime and shift work; travel >10%.
• Familiar with drafting symbols; must be able to distinguish colors.
• Valid driver's license and ability to operate a vehicle.
• Occasional overnight travel to substation or power plant environment.
• Sedentary physical demand level.

Responsibilities

• Create, revise and maintain engineering and record drawings and sketches.
• Support creation, revision, and maintenance of facilities and equipment documents.
• Obtain information from verbal communication, sketches, and field notes.
• Perform mathematical calculations for assigned work.
• Proficiency in CAD software and Microsoft Office.
• Coordinate with other company groups to ensure safe, efficient work.
• Read vendor prints and operating instructions; incorporate into work.
• Assist in training AEP employees in basic skills.
• Promote safety programs and corporate compliance.
• Demonstrate ethical behavior per AEP policies.
• Assume other duties as assigned.

Skills

CAD software

Microsoft Office

Documentation

Reading prints

Math calculations

Clerical work

Team coordination

Education

Associate degree in drafting/CAD (AAS) or related

Equivalent experience with high school diploma

Job description

Job Summary

This position is a technical design/drafting role, and you'll perform daily work activities with general supervision. Work activities to be performed include: computer aided drafting to prepare maps, sketches, schematics and other engineering related drawings. The position includes associated clerical work to properly manage and document the work activities performed, as per AEP requirements for the position. The role is not an engineering role, however it does support engineering teams.

Job Description

This position is posted for the area of:

• PCE - Protection and Control Engineering

What you’ll do as a Designer:

• Create, revise and maintain engineering and record drawings, and sketches.


• Support the creation, revision, and maintenance of facilities and equipment documents; including but not limited to construction, equipment, property documents and records.


• Obtain information required to perform work from verbal communication, sketches, marked drawings, listings, field notes, vendors' catalogs and technical reference manuals and site visits.


• Perform mathematical calculations required to accomplish assigned work.


• Proficiency in the use of computer aided design software.


• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office software.


• Work with other organizations of the Company to coordinate the work and ensure that it is performed in a safe and efficient manner.


• Read vendors' prints, shop and other drawings and equipment operating instructions, and incorporate that information into the work being performed.


• Assist in training AEP employees in basic skills of the position.


• Promote and support the Company's Accident Prevention and Safety and Health programs.


• Demonstrate ethical behavior as outlined in the AEP corporate policies


• Support the AEP Corporate Compliance policies.


• Assume other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Note: This position is posted at multiple grade levels and offers a range of opportunities for advancement. The minimum qualifications outlined below apply to the Designer Assc level, with increased educational, skill or experience requirements for higher level Designers.

What We're Looking For:

Education requirements are listed below:

• Associate degree in applied science (AAS) drafting and computer aided design (CAD) or in civil, electrical or mechanical engineering technology, or relevant equivalent experience and/or education.

Work Experience requirement listed below:

• Equivalent experience without AAS degree - high school graduate and four (4) years of experience in electric utility and/or related industrial drafting and/or computer aided drafting work.

Other:

• Must be available to work overtime, call-out overtime and shift work, as required.


• Travel requirements are expected > 10 % of the time.


• Must be familiar with conventional drafting symbols and drafting methods and have the ability to distinguish colors.


• Must be able to operate a motor vehicle and possess and maintain a valid state's driver's license.


• Must meet all vehicle operation requirements as designated by federal and/or state law.


• Occasional overnight travel to and work within a substation or power plant environment in obedience to all safety regulations and use of personal protection equipment.


• Physical demand level is Sedentary.

What You'll Get:

In addition to a 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!

Compensation

$25.99 - $52.67

Physical Demands

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.

“AEP offers an outstanding group of people to be a part of. The AEP culture values your integrity and awards your hard work.”

In this role, you'll be responsible to the assigned manager for performing intermediate level engineering work activities and projects requiring the application of engineering knowledge in a safe, effective, efficient and economic accomplishment of assigned objectives.

Responsible to the assigned supervisor for performing entry level engineering work activities and projects requiring the application of engineering knowledge in a safe, effective, efficient and economic accomplishment of assigned objectives.

A P&C Field Technologist Associate is responsible for performing work associated with the programming, operation, testing and maintenance of fundamental protection and control devices and related equipment. P&C’s primary focus is understanding control circuitry and utilizing computer-based testing and analysis of devices and equipment that includes, but is not limited to, digital relays, electromechanical relays, intelligent electronic devices, Station Disturbance Recorders (SDR), Digital Fault Recorders (DFR), system event recorders, Remote Terminal Units (RTU’s) and station SCADA systems (dispatcher remote control systems), statistical load metering, telemetering and potential/current transducers. Additionally, will maintain and operate all power line carriers (PLC), tone, pilot wire, fiber and associated P&C communications over the power grid network. Within the discipline of P&C, will occasionally respond to emergency callouts at electrical substations and coordinate prompt restoration of service to customers as required. This list is not intended to limit assignment of work or the degree of supervision under all operating conditions. Employee may perform miscellaneous, related, and incidental work in addition to that specifically outlined below.

AEP offers generous time off, competitive pay, and educational opportunities to help employees advance their careers.

Our culture is purpose-driven and team-oriented: we combine innovation with a customer-first focus to deliver reliable energy and brighter futures.