Designer (Substation)

American Electric Power Co.; New Albany (OH); On-site; USD 36,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

American Electric Power is seeking a Substation Designer to join our New Albany, OH team. You will use CAD tools to create and revise substation drawings and models, and assist in layouts and equipment configurations for new or upgraded facilities.

Youll coordinate with civil, structural, and protection groups to ensure integrated designs, review vendor drawings for standards, participate in field visits, and support safety and documentation processes.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in AAS CAD or Eng Tech with 1–2 years relevant experience.
• Equivalent experience without AAS: high school grad with 6 years drafting/CAD in electric utility.
• Overtime, travel, shift work may be required.

Responsibilities

• Create, revise and maintain engineering and record drawings.
• Assist in designing substation layouts and equipment configurations for new/upgraded facilities.
• Review vendor drawings for compliance with standards and project requirements.
• Coordinate with civil, structural, and protection departments for integrated design.
• Participate in field visits and commissioning activities.

Skills

CAD drafting

Substation design

Team coordination

Education

AAS CAD or Eng Tech

Tools

AutoCAD

Inventor

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Summary

In this role you'll complete 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 positon.

Job Description

We're seeking a Substation Designer to join our team in New Albany, OH.

Designer (Substation)

• Use engineering software tools(e.g., AutoCAD, Inventor) to support design development and ensure accuracy in substation drawings and models.

• Assist in designing substation layouts and equipment configurations for new and upgraded facilities.
• Design physical substation equipment, structures, foundations such as transformers, circuit breakers, switches, instrument transformers.
• Coordinate with civil, structural, and protection departments to ensure integrated substation design.
• Help review vendor drawings and specifications for compliance with standards and project requirements.
• Participate in field visits and commissioning activities to gain hands‑on experience with substation systems.

What You'll Do:

• 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 assure 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 opportunity for advancement. The minimal qualifications outlined below apply to the Designer with increased educational, skill, experience and certification 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, with one to two years of relevant equivalent experience.

Work Experience requirement listed below:

• Equivalent experience without AAS degree - high school graduate and 6 years of experience in electric utility and/or related industrial drafting and/or computer aided drafting work.

Other Requirements:

• Must be available to work overtime, call‑out overtime and shift work, as required.
• Travel requirements are expected > 50 % of the time. Physical demand level is Sedentary.
• 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 driver's license.
• Must meet all vehicle operation requirements as designated by federal and/or state law.
• This position may require shift work or overtime.
• 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.

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.