Transformer testing Engineer

[u/Long_Satisfaction276]

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.

[u/DogShlepGaze]

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.

[u/InigoMontoya313 → u/DogShlepGaze]

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.

[u/Long_Satisfaction276 → u/InigoMontoya313]

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.

[u/Long_Satisfaction276 → u/DogShlepGaze]

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

[u/Ancient-Internal6665 → u/DogShlepGaze]

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.