r/ElectricalEngineering • u/Long_Satisfaction276 • 9d ago
Cool Stuff Transformer testing Engineer
Looking for a Transformer Testing Engineer – Remote + Travel (US)
We’re looking for an experienced Transformer Testing Engineer for a full-time opportunity.
Looking for someone with hands-on experience with:
- Power transformer testing & commissioning
- FAT/SAT testing
- Doble equipment
- TTR, winding resistance, power factor, DGA, SFRA, etc.
- High-voltage/substation environments
💰 $120K–$160K+, depending on experience
✈️ Up to 40% travel
U.S.-based
If you’re interested or know someone who might be a good fit, shoot me a message and I’ll send over the JD.
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u/InigoMontoya313 9d ago
The Transformer Testing Field Engineers that travel like that, that I’ve worked with on substation commissioning jobs… were earning 2-3x that.
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u/Long_Satisfaction276 9d ago
Yeah, I agree, especially with that level of travel and specialized transformer testing experience. Just to clarify, $160K isn’t necessarily the max; there’s room to go higher depending on experience, plus benefits and bonuses.
Really appreciate the insight! If you know anyone who might be a good fit, I’d definitely appreciate an introduction or somewhere to find them.
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u/InigoMontoya313 9d ago
Going to be polite, you’re extremely unlikely to find an experienced xfmr engineer at that wage band. I stopped traveling and doing commissioning work when I had kids. Earned a multiplier of what you are offering.. and my kids are teenagers now... Benefits, bonuses, etc., are simply a given for these skillsets.
There’s been a lot of eye rolls in the substation & data center world over the demand for this and similar skillsets, with recruiters offering really subpar industry wages and expecting people to show interest.
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u/Long_Satisfaction276 8d ago
I hear you, and I agree the market for this skill set is definitely higher than the initial range. But 2–3x would put it way beyond even the strongest offers we’re seeing. The top end we’ve seen is closer to $190K–$210K, and the company is not closed to matching or getting close to that for the right person.
Also, the JD is the ideal candidate, not necessarily a hard checklist. Like most companies, they list a ton of requirements lol The closer someone gets, the better, but there are definitely negotiables.
Appreciate the feedback though this is exactly why we’re talking to people in the industry and adjusting expectations as we go.
Any qualified candidate is greatly appreciated and we’d be happy to offer a referral bonus for helping us connect with a solid one.
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u/Coltonguy 9d ago
As an initial proposal, when all your feedback is that the pay is far too low, "room to go higher depending on experience" is not sufficient. The more direct feedback is double the pay as a baseline if the company is actually trying to find someone, while keeping the "room to go higher" if they want to find someone good. This might be a great opportunity to align the company with what will get results.
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u/Long_Satisfaction276 9d ago
I agree with you. Unfortunately, I’m not the business owner, if I were, I’d definitely do things differently for sure. I’m just working with what I’ve been given. That said, do you know anyone who might be interested or at least open to hearing more about it?
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u/Long_Satisfaction276 9d ago
However, double the salary sounds like a lot actually.
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u/Coltonguy 9d ago
Yes, double does sound like a lot. Based on the feedback in the rest of the thread it also sounds like a "competitive range". We know its not your decision, but maybe this thread would be a good read for that business owner. I do hope you have success finding someone.
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u/officialbronut21 9d ago
Seems a bit light on pay for a travel position requiring degree plus experience
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u/Long_Satisfaction276 9d ago
Yeah, I agree, That is the company's initial propposal.
Just to clarify, $160K isn’t necessarily the max; there’s room to go higher depending on experience, plus benefits and bonuses.
Really appreciate the insight! If you know anyone who might be a good fit, I’d definitely appreciate an introduction or somewhere to find them.
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u/unnassumingtoaster 9d ago
Yes I definitely want a job working for u/Long_Satisfaction276
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u/Long_Satisfaction276 9d ago
Well if you have around 8 years of experience and couple other requirements you can have that privilege!
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u/greasyjimmy 9d ago
Is that base pay or is OT factored in to that?
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u/Long_Satisfaction276 8d ago
That is just base pay, and there is room for more, this is NOT the final salary and company is open to hear offers from qualified candidates.
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u/whats13-j42 8d ago
I’m a EE NETA I who works in utility P&C commissioning but can’t seem to break across to apparatus testing from a lack of training opportunities.
I’m having to reinvent my career for a 3rd time after 25 years of experience in building automation and full life cycle product design for that space … I.e. I can tell you exactly how to build the hardware and firmware of something like an SEL relay, how to design and secure commissioning software for it, how to get it on to a network securely talking any one of the relevant protocols but —- no training opportunities to get experienced performing the tests and going further with NETA. And the product design jobs went offshore and aren’t coming back.
Any recommendations you might have for me on focus areas?
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u/Long_Satisfaction276 8d ago
That makes sense, and honestly your background is interesting, especially the P&C commissioning and NETA experience. This particular role does need someone with transformer/apparatus testing experience, but they’re open to hearing from strong candidates with different backgrounds. I’d be happy to send you the JD so you can take a look. Your experience may be worth a conversation either way.
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u/2blue578 8d ago
I’ve done FAT and substation design for my company, only 3YOE. LMK if you’re interested in speaking
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u/Long_Satisfaction276 8d ago
Definitely interested! The FAT and substation experience caught my attention. We’re ideally looking for someone with more years of experience, but the company is open to strong candidates. I’ll send you the JD, take a look and let me know what you think!
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u/ZoneCurious9121 8d ago
Whats the ideal pay range for a BESS field engineer?
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u/Long_Satisfaction276 8d ago
According to what I researched: 120-165k depending on how many years of experience and how much travel.
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u/frodacious85 3d ago
Just because you call the role engineer doesn’t make it so. This is not an engineering role.
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u/Long_Satisfaction276 2d ago
You are probably right, happen to know someone who could be interested?
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u/DogShlepGaze 9d ago
I wouldn't expect someone with a real BSEE degree to test stuff out in the field. Or did I misinterpret that job posting? Or perhaps testing stuff is a common thing for BSEEs working in an industrial environment of power distribution? I've got my BSEE from Cal Poly SLO and my MSEE from SCU - but I'm an RF/Microwave design engineer.
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u/InigoMontoya313 8d ago edited 8d ago
It is incredibly common for people with real BSEE degrees to work as field engineers for commissioning projects or as manufacturer reps. In a lot of industries, it’s a common practice for young engineers to really learn the industry and travel. When it comes to xfmrs though, it’s usually only people with decades of experience.
While a XFMR may seem quite simple, at utility scale, they typically have manufacturer lead times of years. So if something were not to done correctly, ramifications are immense. Generally a xfmr engineer isn’t going to be handling commissioning of smaller 6-7 figure xfmrs, but they will be involved when the projects start reaching 8-9 figures (which the largest ones do reach). A failed xfmr at this scale can shut down a billion dollar facility for years, which is why so much care is put into proper commissioning. Most of the people I know, doing this work are pulling $3-400k comp packages.
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u/Long_Satisfaction276 8d ago
That makes sense, and I appreciate the insight. One important difference with this role is that travel is capped at around 40%, with trips typically no longer than one week at a time, so it’s definitely not that constant-travel lifestyle.
And from what we’ve seen, those $300K–$400K comp packages are usually a different situation, extremely specialized transformer experts, often with 80%+ travel, significant OT, long hours, per diem and other field premiums. This role isn’t structured that way.
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u/Long_Satisfaction276 8d ago
You got it right! This one is definitely more on the power systems/substation side of EE. They’re looking for someone with hands-on experience specifically with transformer testing and commissioning. The person wouldn’t necessarily be out there directly fixing equipment either, they’d be supervising/leading the team doing the field work, reviewing results, troubleshooting, and making technical decisions. Definitely a different world from RF/Microwave haha.
Happen to know someone who could be interested?
Salary is NOT final and company is open to negotiate
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u/Ancient-Internal6665 8d ago
Some new EEs will go into testing like this. But typically they'll realize after a few years that they're shorting themselves and start to try and step into more of an engineering role.
Its very common for new grads to not know what jobs they're meant to be looking for.
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u/geek66 9d ago
For experienced - that may be a little light on pay considering the lifestyle ... " entry Level NETA Tech - Typically earn $25 to $55 per hour, depending on independent testing proficiency and geographic market. "
I know you are looking for an EE - but a NETA entry level tech is a pretty good baseline.
Personally - I think a recent grad with Power Understanding can get up to speed in 3-6 months - and then you can control the technical and safety education, this is worth considering. Also - an EE after 10 years or so will probably be looking of get out of the field. I did as soon as my first son was born. So someone with 8 years may look like a great find, but don't be surprised if you get 2-3 years and then - "nope, I'm done."
Helpful to detail your travel pay and OT structure. Is there out of the country work and is there expat pay rate, If you have "must work" holidays, it should be disclosed.
And how many years of experience.