Field Service Engineer, Medium Voltage III, Western
About The Position
The Field Service Engineer, Medium Voltage III is an experienced, field-based resource serving the Western region. The role leads crews performing advanced testing, inspection, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of substation equipment and electrical systems. It provides technical leadership, ensures safety compliance, supports engineers and project teams during commissioning and critical field operations, and coordinates complex projects to meet schedule, quality, and safety requirements. The position covers Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. The employee must reside in the Western region and should expect approximately 80% travel, primarily to customer sites, with occasional travel elsewhere in the United States and internationally. The standard rotation is approximately two weeks on site at a time; weekends at home may be possible when site conditions allow. First-year travel is heavier and includes mandatory inverter training at SMA America headquarters in Rocklin, California, and extended field training. A company vehicle is provided, and the role has a home office in the Western region. The position requires 5 to 10 years of relevant industry experience, field crew leadership and project coordination experience, and expert knowledge of high-voltage test equipment. The employee may occasionally work nonstandard hours, including nights or weekends, when required by customer contracts or site conditions. The role involves field service work, occasional corporate-office functions, routine lifting up to 50 pounds, and occasional exposure to electrical hazards and extreme temperatures. Compensation is $44.00 to $59.00 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications.
Requirements
- 5 to 10 years of relevant industry experience.
- Field crew leadership and project coordination experience.
- Ability to analyze and solve problems effectively.
- Ability to work nonstandard hours occasionally, including nights or weekends when customer or site requirements call for it.
- Valid driver’s license and driving record that meets SMA insurance requirements; a company vehicle is assigned to the role.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
- Expert knowledge of high-voltage test equipment and ability to interpret test results.
- Experience performing power factor, megger, CT ratio and saturation, and hipot testing.
- Extensive knowledge of low-, medium-, and high-voltage circuit breakers, transformers, and switchgear.
- Prior experience with cold-weld patch repairs and field transformer repairs.
- AVO Training Institute or other accredited institution or trade school certifications in Medium Voltage Transformer Levels I and II; Switch Gear and Circuit Breaker Maintenance with grounding and bonding; Electrical Safety for Utilities; and Substation Maintenance I and II. Certifications may already be obtained or completed upon hire with SMA sponsorship.
- Must reside within the Western region covered by the role.
- Must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis; SMA does not offer employment visa sponsorship, and applicants requiring current or future sponsorship or visa-tied employment authorization are ineligible.
Nice To Haves
- Master of Science in Electrical Engineering.
- Military technical background.
- Advanced knowledge of power plant measurement devices and techniques.
- Knowledge of solar or alternative energy markets.
- Knowledge of the National Electric Code.
Responsibilities
- Lead daily job-site safety briefings and identify, eliminate, and mitigate hazards.
- Lead crews in testing, inspecting, and maintaining high-, medium-, and low-voltage electrical equipment.
- Install, test, and maintain electrical apparatus, including SF6, vacuum, and low-voltage circuit breakers, transformers, grounding systems, battery systems, and switchgear.
- Perform and lead complex troubleshooting of electrical and control systems, determine root causes, and implement corrective actions.
- Analyze test results using electrical theory to validate system performance and identify deficiencies.
- Apply expert knowledge of high-voltage test equipment to identify root causes for SMA internal quality 8D reports.
- Consult schematics, wiring diagrams, manuals, and engineering resources to optimize equipment functionality and resolve issues.
- Direct repair, replacement, and maintenance activities, including DGA sampling and cold-weld patch repairs on medium-voltage transformers.
- Prepare, review, and approve detailed reports documenting testing, maintenance, repairs, and system performance.
- Create and manage project documentation, including test reports, discrepancy lists, and closure packages.
- Lead execution of large-scale and complex projects, coordinating field activities to meet schedule, quality, and safety requirements.
- Support project planning, resource coordination, and work sequencing to improve field efficiency.
- Train, mentor, and qualify Level I and Level II Field Service Engineers, supporting technical development and safe work practices.
- Coordinate daily activities with engineers, project managers, and other stakeholders.
- Work with SMA AG medium-voltage engineering counterparts for technical assistance and guidance, including attending meetings daily or weekly.
- Develop technical knowledge to help create processes and procedures for SMA medium-voltage products and associated SMA or third-party accessories sold by SMA.
- Serve as a primary field contact for customers, provide updates, address concerns, and help meet expectations.
- Maintain professional relationships with clients, contractors, and internal teams.
- Perform other duties as assigned or required.
Benefits
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage, including $0 premium options.
- Company vehicle provided.
- AVO certification training sponsored by SMA.
- 401(k) plan with company match.
- Technical leadership opportunities and ongoing professional development and training.
- Collaborative and innovative work environment.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
No Education Listed
