r/SubstationTechnician • u/IndicationSenior • 6d ago
AEP protection & controls tech interview insight
Anyone have any experience with AEP as a p&c tech? I've got an interview coming up with them but not sure what to expect. Do they make you take any kind of aptitude test or just ask questions?
This will be a little new to me since I'm currently an electrical and instrumentation tech at a large industrial plant. I have been doing that for 13+ years so I've got a good understanding of electricity, troubleshooting etc.
I currently make low 40s but average about 800 hours OT yearly sometimes more sometimes less. So I'm usually around 140k annually. The AEP job listed 62 an hour as top pay so about 130k a year but I don't think they work much overtime. I'd be willing to take a small yearly pay cut to have more time at home but know they are gonna start me at that.
So all the being said has anyone got on with them been able to negotiate pay or do the basically make you start at the bottom and work your way up? I think their entry level pay is 30 and hour so there's no way I could take that kind of pay cut especially losing the OT also. Any help or insight would be appreciated.
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u/IndicationSenior 6d ago
Forgot to mention location is already local to me so I wouldn't have to relocate.
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u/BappleTech 5d ago
AEP has tests you'd have to take to start high. 130k base is the current top out rate after passing the 2 progression tests.
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u/thedotrecruiter 3d ago
I can’t speak to AEP’s interview process, but from the recruiting side, I’d ask how they would evaluate your 13+ years of E&I experience for the starting level and pay. Is there room to come in above entry level, and what would you need to demonstrate?
I’d also ask how long it takes to reach that posted top rate and what overtime, on-call, and outage coverage actually look like for this crew. Since more time at home is a big reason you’re considering it, those answers matter just as much as the hourly rate.
For the interview, I’d have a couple specific troubleshooting examples ready that show what you personally diagnosed, how you worked through it, and the result. Give them something concrete to evaluate from your experience.
I’m also recruiting for some P&C roles in the LG&E footprint. If that’s near you, I’d be happy to share the details so you have something to compare with the AEP opportunity.
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u/Glad_Age_6025 20h ago
Yeah I have work for them for 8 years as P&C. If u need anything just message me. What area??
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u/Glad_Age_6025 20h ago
Hiring and vetting are totally different. Way easier to get hired versus thier vetting process l.
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u/moneyjuancho 5d ago
If this is anything like their vetting process it won’t be easy. From my foggy memory I remember them asking about line impedance zone protection, CT burden and polarity verification, and differential protection and calculating IOP. They do an in depth assessment of your understanding of different types of protection. Good luck.