Field Service Engineer, Medium Voltage, Central (San Antonio, TX)

Field Service Engineer, Medium Voltage, Central (San Antonio, TX)

LOCATION AND WORK MODEL

This position is field based and covers the Central region. Candidates must currently reside in the San Antonio metropolitan area or within commuting distance of it. This position requires significant regional travel across the Central region, with occasional travel elsewhere in the United States. A company truck is provided, so no personal vehicle is required for site travel.

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 GENERATED APPLICATION MATERIALS

We review all resumes and application materials for AI generated content. Submissions that show evidence of AI manipulation, including AI written resumes, cover letters, or responses, will be disqualified from consideration without further review. We want to hear your authentic voice and see your genuine experience.

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 HRGeneralmailbox@sma-america.com.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The Field Service Engineer, Medium Voltage is responsible for the testing, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of SMA Medium Voltage systems in the field, including handling Medium Voltage escalations for SMA customers and suppliers. This role partners closely with the Medium Voltage engineering team at SMA AG to work through solutions for SMA U.S. customers and suppliers, and supports warranty repairs, technical support, and extensive testing of the internal workings of SMA Medium Voltage products.

We are building this team across three experience levels. We currently have 3 openings across the Central region, filled across Houston, Dallas and Fort Worth, and San Antonio. If you are early in your medium voltage career and coming from utility scale inverter commissioning, substation work, transformer service, military electrical service, or an electrical trade, we want to hear from you. If you are a seasoned medium voltage technician who leads crews and owns complex troubleshooting, we want to hear from you as well.

WHAT WE PROVIDE

You show up with your experience. We provide the rest.

A company truck, including fuel, insurance, and maintenance. You are not putting miles on your own vehicle.

Tools, work clothing, and safety footwear. You are not buying your own gear.

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.

HOW THIS ROLE IS LEVELED

This is one posting covering three levels. You apply once. We determine level during the interview process based on your experience, certifications, and the scope of work you are ready to own. Compensation is set to the level you are placed in.

Level I. Assists crews with testing, inspection, and maintenance under the direction of a senior technician. Focused on building foundational medium voltage skills, terminations, print reading, and safe work practice.

Level II. Performs testing, maintenance, and troubleshooting independently. Owns documentation and serves as a field point of contact for customers.

Level III. Leads crews and complex troubleshooting, approves reports and closure packages, mentors Level I and II technicians, and serves as the senior technical resource on site.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

At every level:

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.

Other duties may be assigned or required.

At Level II and above:

Performs independent troubleshooting of electrical and control systems, determining root cause and implementing corrective actions.

Repairs external leaks and performs cold weld patches on Medium Voltage transformers.

Serves as a field point of contact for customers, providing updates and addressing concerns on site.

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.

At Level III:

Leads crews in the testing, inspection, and maintenance of high, medium, and low voltage electrical equipment.

Applies expert knowledge of high voltage test equipment to identify root causes for SMA internal quality 8D reports.

Reviews and approves test reports, discrepancy lists, and project closure packages.

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.

Trains, mentors, and qualifies Level I and Level II technicians, supporting their technical development and safe work practice.

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.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

These apply at every level. Experience beyond this moves you to a higher level rather than being required to apply.

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.

WHAT MOVES YOU TO A HIGHER LEVEL

None of the following is required to apply. Each strengthens your candidacy and factors into the level you are placed in.

Additional years of direct medium voltage field experience. Level II generally reflects three to five years. Level III generally reflects ten or more.

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.

TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION SUPPORT

Medium voltage certification is part of this role rather than a barrier to entering it. Technicians hired without the AVO certifications listed above are expected to complete them within the first year of employment, and SMA sponsors that training, including course cost and travel.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Extent of responsibility: Regional.

Travel: Approximately 80% travel, primarily to customer sites across the Central region, with occasional travel elsewhere in the United States.

Vehicle: A company truck is provided for site travel, including fuel, insurance, and maintenance.

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: $33.00 to $43.00 per hour, dependent on level, experience, and qualifications.

Vehicle: Company truck provided, including fuel, insurance, and maintenance. No personal vehicle required for site travel.

Tools and gear: Company provided tools, work clothing, and safety footwear. You do not buy your own.

Benefits: Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage, including $0 premium options.

Work Model: Field based, with a home office in the San Antonio, Texas metropolitan area.

Retirement: 401(k) plan with company match.

Growth: A defined three level technical career path, with sponsored certification and training at every step.

Culture: Inclusive, collaborative, and innovative work environment.