STEM OPT Electrical Design Technician Jobs
Electrical Design Technician roles in power systems, circuit layout, and CAD-based design fall squarely within STEM OPT eligibility. Your 24-month extension applies as long as your employer is enrolled in E-Verify and your degree aligns with an approved STEM CIP code in electrical or electronic engineering technology.
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Job Posting End Date
05-15-2026
Please note the job posting will close on the day before the posting end date
Job Summary
Responsible for performing entry level technical work and related activities associated with the planning, engineering, design, analysis, research, development, testing, construction, maintenance, and operation of Company equipment and facilities.
Job Description
What You'll Do:
Power Quality
- Respond to and investigate power quality issues for customers throughout district territory
- Provide power quality support to other districts as needed
- Travel to customer locations to discuss issues and set monitoring equipment
- Collaborate with team members to quickly close out requests
Distribution Design
- Field collection of distribution poles based on scope of work utilizing GPS collection device
- Analysis of new design in DDS software (structural, clearance and electrical each as needed)
- Creation of construction prints and material lists, along with additional needed documentation such as permits, easements, forestry requests, etc
- Tracking of status and progress of projects in Smartsheet schedules
- Coordination with PMs and construction coordinators as needed
- Staking of new pole and guy locations as needed ahead of construction
- Primary job types include Grid Modernization and TAP/DAP
Technical Proficiency: Possesses technical knowledge acquired from an associate degree in electrical/Electronic/ Civil/Mechanical Engineering Technology. Gains knowledge of standards, codes, and regulations relevant to area of assignment. Gains knowledge with pertinent equipment, material, systems, and business processes. Assists employees in handling defined portions of routine problems when beneficial to AEP. Possesses basic computer literacy, knowledge, and skills.
Leadership & Guidance: Performs work activities as assigned and coached by higher level employees. Demonstrates ability to work with others in supplying information and seeking assistance as necessary.
Planning & Organization Ability: Plans work in accordance with AEP standard planning practices. Prioritizes routine work to meet the demands of the company. Maintains accurate records.
Problem Solving & Initiative: Applies technical knowledge and experience in resolving problems encountered in assigned work. Uses initiative in looking for opportunities to improve the process and increase job knowledge/technical skills. Seeks out, compiles, analyzes, and interprets information necessary to perform work activities and solve problems.
Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Communicates effectively, both orally and in writing with internal and external customers. Assists in the preparation of technical reports and papers. Demonstrates the ability to be a team player. Relates to people in an open, friendly, and sincere manner.
Decision Making & Business Awareness: Develops decision-making skills based on sound judgment and job knowledge. Develops an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the local organizational unit. Refer to attached matrix for required qualifications.
Additional information:
- Strong focus on customer service required
- Must have ability to effectively communicate technical information to customers and other non-technical team members
- Must be comfortable working near/in low voltage equipment after provided training
- Regular local travel required
What we’re looking for:
Technician Associate SG4
- High school diploma or equivalent plus 2 years or related utility industry work experience.
- Or an associate’s degree in electrical/Electronic/Civil/ Mechanical Engineering Technology or related fields.
- Valid Driver’s License
Technician SG5
- Associate Degree in Electrical/Electronic/Civil/ Mechanical Engineering Technology or related fields plus 2 years of related utility industry work experience.
- Or a high school diploma or equivalent and 4 years of related utility industry work experience.
- Valid Driver’s License
Technician Senior SG6
- Associate Degree in Electrical/Electronic/Civil/ Mechanical Engineering Technology or related fields, with a minimum of 4 years of related utility industry work experience,
- OR High school diploma or GED, with a minimum of 6 years of related utility industry work experience, including experience in work activities and projects requiring technical engineering knowledge.
- Meets expectations of the Technician level.
- Valid Driver’s license
In addition:
Physical Demands - Varies by location or territory. In some locations or territories, technicians must be able to:
- Walk right ways of various terrain in adverse conditions to patrol distribution power lines to determine damage.
- Carry and handle telescopic measuring sticks and switching sticks that weigh 11 pounds.
- May be required to use a brush axe (approx. 6 pounds) or machete (approx. 2 pounds) to clear brush for walking and staking in survey work.
Where you’ll work:
This role sits on site in Muncie, Indiana.
What you’ll get:
Technician Associate SG4 ($54,063-$67,578/hourly)
Technician SG5 ($63,496-$79,369/hourly)
Technician Senior SG6 ($74,551-$93,188/hourly)
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.
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!
American Electric Power (On-Site)
$54K- $93K / Year
#LI-Onsite
#AEPCareers
Compensation Data
Compensation Grade: SP20-004
Compensation Range: $25.99 - $44.80
The Physical Demand Level for this job is: L – Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or 10 to 12 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 5-6 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for sedentary work. Even though the weight lifted may be only a negligible amount, a job should be rated Light Work: (1) When it requires walking or standing to a significant degree; or (2) when it requires sitting most of the time, but entails pushing and/or pulling of arm or leg controls; and/or (3) when the job requires working at a production rate pace entailing the constant pushing and/or pulling of materials even though the weight of those materials is negligible. NOTE: The constant stress and strain of maintaining a production rate pace, especially in an industrial setting, can be and is physically demanding of a worker even though the amount of force exerted is negligible.
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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.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as an Electrical Design Technician
Confirm your CIP code before applying
Check that your degree program maps to an approved STEM CIP code, such as 15.0399 for electrical engineering technology. Your DSO can verify this on your I-20 before you accept any offer.
Search E-Verify status before interviewing
Look up a prospective employer's E-Verify enrollment through the E-Verify employer search tool before your first interview. A company that isn't enrolled can't legally employ you on STEM OPT, no matter how strong the offer.
Target employers with active LCA filings
Use Migrate Mate to filter Electrical Design Technician roles by employers who have filed Labor Condition Applications, signaling they already understand and engage with work-authorization processes for technical staff.
Draft your I-983 around actual project deliverables
Your training plan must tie each learning objective to a specific work task, such as schematic design, PCB layout, or load-flow analysis. Generic objectives get flagged by DSOs. Map the plan to the job description line by line.
Use the OFLC Wage Search to negotiate from a position of data
Run the OFLC Wage Search for your SOC code and metro area before salary discussions. Electrical Design Technician prevailing wage data is publicly available by region and experience level, giving you concrete reference points during offer negotiations.
Electrical Design Technician jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Electrical Design Technician JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does an Electrical Design Technician role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your degree is in an approved STEM field such as electrical engineering technology, electronics technology, or a related discipline with an eligible CIP code. The role itself must also be directly related to your degree. Your DSO confirms eligibility by verifying the CIP code on your I-20 against the STEM Designated Degree Program List published by USCIS.
How do I verify that an employer is enrolled in E-Verify?
Use the E-Verify employer search tool to look up any company by name or employer identification number before accepting an offer. Enrollment in E-Verify is a legal requirement for all STEM OPT employers, not just a preference. If a company isn't listed, they cannot employ you on the 24-month STEM extension regardless of role or offer terms.
What goes into the I-983 training plan for an Electrical Design Technician?
Your I-983 must describe specific, measurable learning objectives tied to actual job duties, such as producing electrical schematics in AutoCAD, performing load calculations, or supporting circuit board design reviews. Generic language like 'gain engineering experience' will not satisfy your DSO. Each objective should reference a real deliverable from your job description and connect directly to your degree field.
What happens to my work authorization if my OPT EAD expires before an H-1B petition is filed?
If your employer files an H-1B petition on your behalf before your EAD expiration date, USCIS cap-gap provisions automatically extend your work authorization through September 30 of that fiscal year. You can continue working without interruption during this period. If no petition is filed before your EAD expires, your authorization ends and you cannot legally continue working.
Where can I find Electrical Design Technician jobs where employers already understand STEM OPT?
Migrate Mate filters roles by employers with active labor condition application filing history, which indicates they've already navigated work-authorization requirements for technical staff. This saves you from spending interviews educating hiring managers about STEM OPT basics. You can search by job title and filter specifically for E-Verify enrolled employers in your target metro area.
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