Field Service Engineer, Medium Voltage I, Midwest

SMA America; Columbus (OH); Hybrid; USD 66,000 - 81,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Company vehicle provided

AVO certification training sponsored

Job summary

SMA America is seeking a Field Service Engineer, Medium Voltage I for the Midwest region. The role focuses on installation, inspection, and maintenance of control wiring in SMA inverter and MV systems, with emphasis on safety and quality under supervision.

The position requires an associate degree in electrical/tech, relevant field experience, and strong problem-solving skills. Regular travel within the Midwest and occasional US travel are expected.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in electrical or electronic technology or equivalent experience.
• At least 1 year of hands-on electrical/field service experience.
• Experience with electronic test equipment (digital voltmeter) and hand tools.
• Ability to read prints, schematics, and wiring diagrams.
• Ability to analyze and solve problems; safety-conscious.
• Willingness for nonstandard hours and travel; valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Attend daily safety briefings and identify hazards.
• Assist testing, inspection, and maintenance of high/medium/low voltage equipment.
• Troubleshoot electrical/control systems and aid root-cause analysis.
• Perform repairs and maintenance under supervision by senior engineers.
• Document test reports accurately.
• Support project planning, resource coordination, and sequencing.
• Collaborate with senior technicians to learn procedures.
• Keep tools and work areas organized and safe.
• Maintain inventory accuracy of spare parts.

Skills

Electrical troubleshooting

Print reading

MS Office

Valid driver’s license

Field service experience

Education

Associate degree in electrical or electronic technology

Military service experience

Tools

Digital voltmeter

Common hand tools

Job description

Field Service Engineer, Medium Voltage I, Midwest

$73,689 per year - estimated ?

Why Work at SMA America

Power the future. Build your career at SMA America. As the U.S. subsidiary of SMA Solar Technology AG, we have been at the forefront of solar inverter technology since 1981, developing solutions that make photovoltaic power plants simpler, more reliable, safer, and more cost effective. Headquartered in Rocklin, California, SMA America has spent more than two decades helping homes, businesses, and utilities across the country generate clean, reliable power. We are the only inverter manufacturer in the world offering solutions for every system size, from residential rooftops to large scale utility plants, backed by more than 1,500 patents and a presence in over 190 countries. Innovation is only part of the story. We invest in our people, create room to grow, challenge conventional thinking, and protect a culture where teammates genuinely care about each other and the work. We hire capable people and give them the space to do the job, with clear expectations, open door leadership, and real autonomy. If you are passionate about driving positive change and want a career where you can take ownership of your work, we would love to meet you. Together, we are not just part of the energy transition, we are helping drive it forward.

LOCATION AND WORK MODEL

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

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 or Level III Field Service 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.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• Extent of responsibility: Regional.
• 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: Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage, including $0 premium options.
• Work Model: Field based, with a home office in the Midwest region and a company vehicle provided.
• Certification: AVO certification training sponsored by SMA.
• Retirement: 401(k) plan with company match.
• 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