Transmission & Distribution Testing (Entry to Mid Career Level)

Location: Fremont, California - USA

As a Field Service Engineer, your primary responsibility will be to lead specialty field testing projects and campaigns for High Voltage & Medium Voltage assets in electricity generation plants, utility, and industrial substations. You will undergo comprehensive training to develop the necessary skills for this role.

Your main role will involve performing electrical field testing services, which includes conducting ground grid testing, advanced underground distribution and high voltage class cables testing, switchgear and transformer testing. Additionally, you will also be involved in performing power system studies such as ground grid design (CDEGS studies), lightning studies, arc flash analysis, insulation coordination, load flow analysis, short circuit analysis, and CIA (Critical Infrastructure Assessment).

While you will be based in the Fremont office, it is important to note that a significant portion of your time, approximately 30-50%, will be spent traveling to client sites across the United States. The specific travel assignments will be determined by the company. Therefore, you must be open to flexible scheduling and have the ability to travel on short notice.

In summary, as a Field Service Engineer, you will play a crucial role in leading field testing projects, to help ensure the reliability and performance of High Voltage & Medium Voltage systems for our clients. Your expertise in electrical field testing and power system studies will contribute to the success of electricity generation plants, utility, and industrial substations.

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General Duties

• Following an initial training period and evaluation of your progress in the role, your responsibilities will grow as you begin to lead projects, schedule resources and equipment, and safely perform the advanced electrical tests at various facilities including public utilities, nuclear generation plants, renewable plants (wind, solar farms) and industrial applications.
• You will perform ground grid testing (current injection testing), soil resistivity measurements, current split testing, step and touch measurements, power system studies, diagnostics on underground power cables.
• Following the field testing, you will compile and analyze results and prepare comprehensive technical engineering reports for presentation to customers.
• You will directly interact with power distribution customers and contractors on site, operate advanced diagnostics equipment, acquire test data, and communicate with the remote support team.
• You will be responsible for management of company assets in field including power supplies, instrumentation, tools, inventory parts, etc.
• You will be relied on to provide onsite customer training on safety issues, test processes and quality control topics.
• You will have the opportunity to perform electrical diagnostic tests, investigations and technical studies for customers in other transmission and distribution disciplines if needed.
• You will be relied on to respond to customer inquiries, maintain good customer relations, and work closely with them to solve their technical problems.
• As a Kinectrics employee it is the expectation that all employees deliver exceptional customer satisfaction by following good quality and safety practices in all aspects of the work performed and in compliance with Kinectrics policies and procedures.

Technical Requirements

• B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering/Physics or equivalent is required. An advanced degree in electrical engineering with a focus on power systems would be beneficial.
• 0-2 years experience in electrical engineering or maintenance of large electrical equipment. Mid-career candidates will have 2-5 years of experience.
• 0-2 years experience in transmission and distribution industry. Mid-career candidates will have 2-5 years of experience.
• 0-2 years experience in electrical equipment testing, preferably insulation diagnostics. Mid-career candidates will have 2-5 years of experience.
• 0-2 years experience in hands on related field work. Mid-career candidates will have 2-5 years of experience.
• Familiarity with quality standards such as ISO 9001 and 17025 is a plus.
• Familiarity with CDEGS software, IEEE 80 and 81 and resistance testing is a plus.
• Foundational knowledge of cable system, switchgear and transformers.
• Familiarity with testing and diagnosis of power cables including AC/DC/VLF withstand and Partial Discharge testing as well as Dielectric Loss / VLF T and delta testing; knowledge of additional techniques such as DS, TDR, FDR or LIRATM would be an advantage.
• Familiarity with switchgear, breaker and substation equipment helpful but not required for entry level candidates.
• Electrical design problem-solving and trouble-shooting skills.

Professional Competencies

• Ability to achieve goals and meet deadlines for multiple projects in parallel.
• Ability to write clear, concise technical reports along with excellent verbal communication skills.
• Rigorous commitment to comprehensive safety assurance.
• Project team/collaboration skills.
• Sound judgment in customer relations and resource management
• Self-manage and ability to operate remotely from the main office with minimum supervision.
• Intermediate level skills in Microsoft applications including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint/Ability to use computer-based tools for reports, email and for general communication.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to perform physical demands of the job including working at heights or confined spaces if needed. 
• Availability for assignments with short notice.
• Availability for travel throughout North America (up to 30-50%) and while infrequent may require the ability to stay on assignment for up to two weeks at a time.
• Occasionally may require use of company vehicle (pick up or box truck) to transport testing equipment to client sites.  Candidates should have a clean driving record and able to meet Dept. of Transportation requirements for operation of commercial motor vehicles.
• Permanent authorization to work in the U.S., without current or future need for sponsorship.
• Position is subject to pre-employment background check and drug testing.

Why Work For Us?

Employee surveys consistently rank Kinectrics as “one of the best places to work”. Although this phrase may mean different things to different people, Kinectrics is widely recognized as a company that employs some of the best and brightest minds in the energy and utility industry.

Compensation & Benefits: Kinectrics AES, Inc. offers a comprehensive benefits plan which includes medical, dental, vision, life insurances, generous PTO and a 5% match on our 401k plan.   Expected pay range $80-90K to be determined based on candidate's prior work experience and academic credentials.

About Us

Kinectrics is the category leader in providing life cycle management services for the electricity industry. Trusted by clients worldwide, our expertise in engineering, testing, inspection, and certification is backed by our independent laboratory and testing facilities, a diverse fleet of field inspection equipment and an award-winning team of over 1,000 engineers and technical experts. 

From initial design and type testing to operational deployment and maintenance services, Kinectrics collaborates closely with customers to ensure that utility assets perform safely, reliably and efficiently throughout their entire range of disciplines across the energy sector.  Visit our web site:  www.kinectrics.com

Kinectrics AES is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against based on their race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other protected classification.

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