Medium Voltage Field Service Technician 1 - Midwest Region

 

Medium Voltage Field Service Technician I, Midwest Region
Field based, Midwest region: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin

LOCATION AND WORK MODEL

This position is field based and covers the Midwest region, which includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Candidates must reside within the Midwest region. This position requires significant regional travel, with occasional travel elsewhere in the United States.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The Medium Voltage Field Service Technician I is an entry level role responsible for assisting with the installation, inspection, and maintenance of control wiring within SMA inverter and Medium Voltage systems. This position develops foundational skills in utility grade Medium Voltage and High Voltage systems, installation, terminations, and print reading while working under direct supervision. The role emphasizes strict adherence to safety practices and quality standards.

Candidates with backgrounds as NETA test technicians, substation or relay technicians, transformer or switchgear service technicians, utility apparatus technicians, wind technicians or military electricians are encouraged to apply. SMA sponsors AVO certification training for this role.

PRIMARY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

• Attends daily job site safety briefings, proactively identifying, eliminating, and mitigating hazards.
• Assists crews in the testing, inspection, and maintenance of high, medium, and low voltage electrical equipment.
• Performs troubleshooting of electrical and control systems, and assists in determining root cause and implementing corrective actions.
• Performs repair, replacement, and maintenance activities to restore equipment and systems, under the supervision of a Level II technician or Level III engineer.
• Completes accurate documentation, including test reports.
• Supports project planning, resource coordination, and work sequencing to optimize field efficiency.
• Works closely with senior technicians and engineers to support field activities and learn proper techniques and procedures.
• Maintains tools, equipment, and work areas in a clean and organized condition, keeping walkways, workspaces, and access areas free from hazards and obstructions.
• Maintains accurate inventory count of spare parts provided by SMA.
• Maintains professional relationships with clients, contractors, and internal teams.
• Other duties may be assigned or required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Field Service Foundation

• An associate degree in electrical or electronic technology, or equivalent experience.
• At least 1 year of hands on experience in an electrical, electronic, utility, or field service role. Relevant military experience qualifies.
• Experience with electronic test equipment, including a digital voltmeter, and common hand tools.
• 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.
• 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.

Medium Voltage Specialization

• 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.
• Knowledge of low, medium, and high voltage circuit breakers, transformers, and switchgear.
• Certifications through the AVO Training Institute or another accredited institution or trade school, either already obtained or completed upon hire with SMA sponsorship:
  • Medium Voltage Transformer Levels I and II
  • Switch Gear and Circuit Breaker Maintenance with grounding and bonding
  • Electrical Safety for Utilities
  • Substation Maintenance I and II

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 1 to 3 years of relevant industry experience.
• Experience in the solar field.
• Industry certification programs, such as AVO, oil analysis, or manufacturer programs.
• Knowledge of solar or alternative energy markets.
• Knowledge of the National Electric Code.
• NETA Level I or II certification, or progress toward NETA certification.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• Travel: Approximately 80% travel, primarily to customer sites across the Midwest region, with occasional travel elsewhere in the United States and internationally.
• Standard rotation: Approximately two weeks on site at a time, with weekends home possible when site conditions allow.
• First year onboarding: Travel is heavier during the first year, including 2 to 3 weeks of mandatory inverter training at SMA America headquarters in Rocklin, CA, and extended on the job field training at project sites alongside experienced team members, which may require two weeks or more away from home at a time.
• Schedule changes: Travel schedules may shift based on customer needs, site conditions, and project timelines.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• While at site, the employee is required to stand, walk, talk, hear, and observe surroundings.
• The employee is occasionally required to sit, reach above the shoulder, stoop, bend, squat, and kneel.
• The employee must routinely lift up to 50 pounds.
• The work environment is constrained to a field service environment, with occasional functions in a corporate office.
• The employee is occasionally exposed to electrical hazards and to weather of extreme temperatures.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

WE OFFER

• Compensation: $36.00 to $42.00 per hour, dependent on experience and qualifications.
• Benefits: Medical plan options through Aetna, plus Kaiser in California, including a $0 premium option, with SMA covering about 90% or more of medical premiums and contributing up to $1,500 a year to your HSA on the high deductible plan.
• Coverage: $0 employee only dental and vision options, plus short and long term disability and $50,000 in life and AD&D insurance at no cost.
• Time Off: 16 days of PTO, increasing with tenure, plus 12 paid holidays.
• Retirement: 401k plan with a 100% match up to 5%.
• Education: Tuition reimbursement and opportunities for professional development.
• Work Model: Field based, with a home office in the Midwest region and a company vehicle provided.
• Certification: AVO certification training sponsored by SMA.
• Growth: A defined path from Level I to Level II and Level III, with professional development and training.
• Culture: Collaborative and innovative work environment.

WORK AUTHORIZATION

Applicants 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, including H-1B, OPT, CPT, or TN visas. Candidates who currently require or will in the future require visa sponsorship are not eligible for this role. Candidates operating under a temporary work permit or any visa tied employment authorization are also not eligible.

AI ASSISTED APPLICATION MATERIALS

We welcome candidates who use AI tools to organize or polish their application materials. Your resume and responses must accurately reflect your own experience and be written in your own voice. Applications that include fabricated or exaggerated experience, hidden text or embedded instructions, or prescreen responses that do not reflect your own knowledge may be removed from consideration. We want to hear your story: the work you have done, the results you have delivered and the experience you would bring to SMA.

RECRUITMENT FRAUD NOTICE

All SMA America openings are posted on our official careers page and all recruiter communication comes from an @sma-america.com address. We never request payment, banking information, or a Social Security number during the recruitment process. If you are contacted about an SMA America role from a personal email account, or asked for any of the above, please forward the message to [email protected].