Switchgear Field Engineer – Level 5 - Minneapolis, MN

Job description

A Level 5 Switchgear Field Engineer leads complex field service activities for medium- and high-voltage switchgear systems, serving as a technical authority on installation, commissioning, maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, and modernization. This role provides on-site leadership, ensures safe work execution, interfaces directly with customers and project teams, and mentors junior engineers/technicians while driving quality, schedule adherence, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead field execution for switchgear installation, commissioning, and service (e.g., air-insulated switchgear, gas-insulated switchgear, metal-clad/metal-enclosed switchgear, breakers, relays, bus, CT/PTs, control power systems).

• Plan and perform advanced diagnostics for equipment and protection/control issues, including intermittent faults and complex system interactions.

• Execute and/or direct acceptance, maintenance, and condition-based testing (e.g., insulation resistance, hipot/VLF as applicable, contact resistance, timing/travel analysis, primary/secondary injection, relay logic verification, SCADA/RTU I/O checks).

• Perform protection relay commissioning and end-to-end verification; validate settings implementation per approved setting files and drawings.

• Interpret and redline electrical drawings/schematics, wiring diagrams, logic diagrams, and one-lines; verify as-built conditions.

• Ensure compliance with all safety requirements (LOTO, arc-flash, energized work restrictions, job hazard analysis, permits) and lead on-site safety briefings.

• Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to control wiring, interlocks, auxiliaries, close/trip circuits, charging motors, heaters, and communications.

• Direct corrective maintenance and repair activities, including breaker overhaul support, mechanism adjustments, alignment, lubrication, SF6 handling (if applicable), and component replacement.

• Provide technical leadership during outages, turnarounds, and critical recovery events; communicate status, risks, and mitigation plans.

• Produce high-quality field service reports, test records, punch lists, commissioning checklists, and nonconformance documentation; close out actions with customer sign-off.

• Coordinate with PMs, engineering, factory, and supply chain on parts identification, RMA/warranty, technical escalations, and root cause analysis.

• Mentor and supervise junior engineers/technicians; review work quality, coach troubleshooting approach, and enforce standards.

• Support customer training and knowledge transfer (operational checks, basic maintenance, safety considerations).

• Identify upsell/modernization opportunities (retrofill, protection upgrades, digital monitoring) and communicate leads through appropriate channels.

Required Qualifications

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical/Electromechanical Technology, or equivalent practical experience.

• Typically 8+ years of progressively responsible field experience with MV/HV switchgear, breakers, and protection & control systems.

• Demonstrated ability to lead field crews and manage on-site execution for complex commissioning/service events.

• Strong working knowledge of electrical safety practices (NFPA 70E/OSHA or local equivalents), including LOTO and arc-flash risk controls.

• Proven experience reading and troubleshooting schematics, wiring diagrams, and one-lines.

• Ability to write clear field reports and maintain accurate test documentation.

• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience commissioning digital protection relays and IEC 61850/GOOSE networks (where applicable).

• Experience with power system studies interface (coordination, short circuit, arc-flash labels) and field validation.

• Familiarity with major relay platforms (e.g., SEL, GE/Multilin, ABB/Hitachi, Siemens) and breaker OEMs.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Expert-level troubleshooting skills across switchgear mechanical, electrical, and protection/control domains.

• Ability to develop commissioning/test plans, verify I/O, and perform functional checks from drawings and sequences of operation.

• Strong customer communication skills, including explaining findings, constraints, and corrective actions in clear, non-technical language when needed.

• Working knowledge of common test instruments and safe test setups; ability to validate instrument calibration status.

• Strong planning and prioritization skills; ability to manage multiple work fronts during outages.

• Ability to lead incident response and structured problem solving (5-Why, fishbone, corrective/preventive actions).

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) and mobile/field reporting tools.

Working Conditions & Travel

• Primarily field-based at customer facilities (industrial plants, utilities, data centers, commercial facilities, substations).

• Travel typically 50–80% depending on region and workload; may include nights, weekends, and emergency call-outs.

• Work may be performed in confined spaces, elevated platforms, hot/cold environments, and around rotating machinery and energized equipment (per safety rules).

• Must be able to wear required PPE (arc-rated clothing, hard hat, gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, fall protection as needed).

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs (23 kg) and move test equipment and tools.

• Ability to stand, kneel, bend, climb ladders/stairs, and work at heights for extended periods.

• Ability to differentiate conductor colors/indicator states and read instruments/displays.

Tools and Technology

• Breaker test sets (timing/travel, micro-ohmmeters), insulation resistance meters, hipot/VLF sets (as applicable), relay test sets, primary injection systems.

• Digital multimeters, clamp meters, torque tools, mechanical gauges, alignment tools.

• Laptop-based relay configuration and commissioning software; serial/Ethernet communications tools (as applicable).

• Document control/reporting systems and mobile field service applications.

Reporting Relationships

Reports to a Field Service Manager/Service Operations Leader. May provide day-to-day technical direction to field technicians, contractors, and junior engineers on assigned jobs.

Base pay of $115K-$125K (non-exempt) + OT and company truck – 8+ years of switchgear or power generation systems experience is required.