Field Service Engineer, Medium Voltage, Western (San Diego, CA)

SMA America • San Diego, CA

10d • $33 - $43 • Onsite

About The Position

SMA America is seeking a Field Service Engineer, Medium Voltage, to cover the Western region, based in the San Diego metropolitan area. This role is responsible for the testing, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of SMA Medium Voltage systems in the field. The engineer will handle Medium Voltage escalations for customers and suppliers, partner with the Medium Voltage engineering team at SMA AG to resolve issues for U.S. customers, and support warranty repairs, technical support, and extensive testing of SMA Medium Voltage products. The position requires significant regional travel (approximately 80%) and offers three experience levels (I, II, and III) with a defined career path and sponsored training. SMA America is a leader in solar inverter technology, committed to innovation, employee growth, and a collaborative culture.

Requirements

• At least one year of hands on experience in an electrical, electronic, utility, or field service role. Relevant military experience qualifies, including Army 12P Prime Power Production Specialist, Navy Electrician's Mate, and Construction Electrician.
• Demonstrated exposure to medium voltage equipment such as transformers, switchgear, circuit breakers, terminations, or substation work, through employment, an apprenticeship, a trade program, or military service.
• An associate degree in electrical or electronic technology, a completed trade or apprenticeship program, military technical training, or equivalent qualified experience.
• Comfort with electronic test equipment, at minimum a digital voltmeter and common hand tools, and the ability to read prints, schematics, and wiring diagrams.
• Ability to analyze and solve problems effectively.
• Ability to work nonstandard business hours occasionally to support service customer contracts, including weekend or night work when customer requirements at the site call for it.
• Ability to meet the travel requirements outlined below.
• A valid driver's license and a driving record that meets SMA insurance requirements, since a company vehicle is assigned to this role.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States on a full time basis. SMA America does not offer employment visa sponsorship of any kind.

Nice To Haves

• Additional years of direct medium voltage field experience.
• Hands on experience with high voltage test equipment and the ability to interpret results, including power factor, megger, CT ratio and saturation, and hipot testing.
• Experience with pad mounted transformers, Medium Voltage terminations, splicing, and switchgear operation.
• Hands on experience with cold weld patch repairs and field transformer repairs.
• Certifications through the AVO Training Institute or another accredited institution or trade school, including 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.
• NETA certification at any level, NFPA 70E, or comparable electrical safety and testing credentials.
• Crew leadership, mentoring, or project coordination experience in the field.
• Advanced knowledge of power plant measurement devices and techniques.
• Knowledge of solar or alternative energy markets, and of the National Electric Code.
• A bachelor's degree in a technical field.

Responsibilities

• Participates in daily job site safety briefings, proactively identifying, eliminating, and mitigating hazards.
• Performs testing, inspection, maintenance, and repair of SMA Large Scale Medium Voltage systems in the field, including Medium Voltage transformer core testing, operations and maintenance, and site visits.
• Conducts DGA sampling and applies the results of DGA reports to determine the correct course of action.
• Regularly works with high voltage DC, three phase power, high AC voltage, and the related software and firmware of SMA products.
• Completes accurate documentation, including test reports, discrepancy lists, and field service reports.
• Performs and maintains maintenance activities in accordance with the SMA product maintenance manual on assigned sites with SMA customer contractual obligations.
• Maintains accurate inventory count of spare parts provided by SMA, and maintains assigned tools and vehicle in safe working condition.
• Maintains a high level of customer satisfaction while striving to lower the costs of field service expenditure.
• Performs independent troubleshooting of electrical and control systems, determining root cause and implementing corrective actions (Level II and above).
• Repairs external leaks and performs cold weld patches on Medium Voltage transformers (Level II and above).
• Serves as a field point of contact for customers, providing updates and addressing concerns on site (Level II and above).
• Collaborates cross functionally with the Global Service Organization, Quality, and suppliers to provide customers with Root Cause Analysis of failures, and keeps customers informed of RCA status (Level II and above).
• Leads crews in the testing, inspection, and maintenance of high, medium, and low voltage electrical equipment (Level III).
• Applies expert knowledge of high voltage test equipment to identify root causes for SMA internal quality 8D reports (Level III).
• Reviews and approves test reports, discrepancy lists, and project closure packages (Level III).
• Works directly with Medium Voltage engineering counterparts at SMA AG for technical assistance and guidance on MV systems, attending meetings on a daily or weekly basis (Level III).
• Trains, mentors, and qualifies Level I and Level II technicians, supporting their technical development and safe work practice (Level III).
• Develops detailed knowledge to aid in the creation of processes and procedures for SMA Medium Voltage products and associated SMA or third party accessories sold by SMA (Level III).

Benefits

• Company truck, including fuel, insurance, and maintenance.
• Tools, work clothing, and safety footwear.
• Medium voltage certification through the AVO Training Institute, sponsored by SMA, including course cost and travel.
• Two to three weeks of inverter training at our headquarters in Rocklin, California, followed by field training alongside experienced technicians.
• A defined three level technical career path with a clear line of sight from Level I to Level III.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage, including $0 premium options.
• 401(k) plan with company match.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree