H-1B Visa Relay Technician Jobs
Relay Technician roles qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship when the position requires a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a related specialty field. Utilities, grid operators, and industrial automation firms are active H-1B filers for protection relay work. The annual H-1B cap applies, but cap-exempt employers like research institutions and public utilities may offer an alternative path.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
As a Relay Commissioning Technician, a typical day might include the following:
- Train and assist customers in the planning, design, testing, installation, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of electrical power systems, both at customer sites and SEL offices.
- Apply working knowledge of SEL design practices of SEL protection and automation systems as well as quality standards.
- Responsible for running tests in support of department objectives, documenting and reporting malfunctions, and identifying/analyzing undesirable trends.
- Provide regular communication and timely reports to engineering staff, leadership and customers regarding commissioning activities.
- Responsible for maintaining a safe workplace and implementing safe and environmentally sound work practices.
This job might be for you if:
- Associate’s degree in Electrical Engineering Technology or equivalent certification, training and experience
- 2+ years working experience in electrical power system planning, design, testing, installation, commissioning, operation and/or maintenance
- Demonstrated proficiency with modern test equipment such as OMICRON or Doble
- Willing to travel up to 75% of the time
- Familiarity with Autocad, Microstation and AcSELerator Quickset
- Ability to write automated test plans for testing protective devices
- Familiarity with industry protocols (IEC-61850, DNP, Modbus)
Physical Requirements
Ability to work in outside environments with varying climates
Ability to stand, walk, sit, bend, squat, climb, and use arm and hand movements
Ability to carry tools and to handle materials and equipment of up to 50 pounds
Ability to work at heights on lifts, stepladders and/or extension ladders
LOCATION
We are open to MULTIPLE locations.
Lewis Center, OH - This position is located in Lewis Center, OH, located 15 miles outside of downtown Columbus. Here you will enjoy all the big city has to offer, including easy access to outdoor recreation, professional sports teams, and great universities. Centrally located in Ohio and quickly growing, you won't have to look far for great dining, shopping, and entertainment. There has never been a better time to call Lewis Center home.
King of Prussia, PA - This position is located in King of Prussia, PA. Located just twenty miles from Philadelphia, its close proximity allows residents to enjoy all that the big city has to offer. Enjoy easy access to trails along the river, or attend sporting events nearby. The diverse options make King of Prussia the perfect place to call home.
Alpharetta, GA - This position is located in Alpharetta, GA. The city is located between the North Georgia Mountains and Atlanta, allowing residents to enjoy the big city, and easy access to outdoor recreation. However, you won't have to look to Atlanta for big city comforts, Alpharetta is quickly growing and offers amazing shopping, dining, and entertainment.
Charlotte, NC - This position is located in Charlotte, NC, a vibrant and bustling metropolis located in the heart of North Carolina. As one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, it seamlessly blends its rich history with a modern and dynamic atmosphere. With an eclectic culinary scene, charming neighborhoods, and a warm southern hospitality, Charlotte exudes a unique charm that captivates residents and visitors alike.
Wesley Chapel, FL – This position is located in Wesley Chapel, Florida. Just north of Tampa, Wesley Chapel offers the perfect blend of suburban comfort and city convenience. Residents enjoy access to top-rated schools, vibrant shopping centers, and a growing food scene. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore scenic parks, nature trails, and nearby Gulf Coast beaches. With its welcoming community and dynamic growth, Wesley Chapel is an ideal place to live and work.
Nashua, NH – This position is located in Nashua, NH, one of Southern New Hampshire’s most vibrant communities. Enjoy a high quality of life with a blend of urban amenities and New England charm, excellent schools, diverse dining and shopping options, and easy access to outdoor recreation. Conveniently located near Boston, Nashua offers a strong local economy, beautiful parks and trails, and a family-friendly atmosphere.
COMPENSATION
- Competitive pay. Superior benefits. Inspiring work.
People are at the core of our company and we hire employee-owners. We welcome you to learn more about how we support employees.
- We’re 100% employee owned. Retirement benefits include an employer funded stock ownership plan (ESOP) and personal 401(k) options.
- We offer top tier medical, prescription, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
- We recognize the importance of a healthy life balance and offer: 10 paid holidays, annual vacation accrual starting at 12 days, 9 paid sick days, and paid family and medical leave that covers 90% of your pay.
- We foster growth and development of our employees through avenues such as STEM courses, apprenticeships, tuition assistance, and engineering development programs.
- Ask our team about other benefits including wellness, fertility, adoption, and flexible spending benefits.
Pay Range Data
$33.00 - $60.00
We are open to reviewing additional candidates with more or less experience and the pay range may differ if filled at a different level. Our pay ranges are determined by job, responsibility, and location. We base our starting pay offer and title on location and job-related factors such as candidate experience, training, knowledge, and skills.
Communication with Applicants
We communicate with all applicants. If you do not receive a response about your application, please check your SPAM filter or reach out to us at careers@selinc.com.
SEL is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Vets/Disabled.
INTRODUCTION
As a Relay Commissioning Technician, a typical day might include the following:
- Train and assist customers in the planning, design, testing, installation, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of electrical power systems, both at customer sites and SEL offices.
- Apply working knowledge of SEL design practices of SEL protection and automation systems as well as quality standards.
- Responsible for running tests in support of department objectives, documenting and reporting malfunctions, and identifying/analyzing undesirable trends.
- Provide regular communication and timely reports to engineering staff, leadership and customers regarding commissioning activities.
- Responsible for maintaining a safe workplace and implementing safe and environmentally sound work practices.
This job might be for you if:
- Associate’s degree in Electrical Engineering Technology or equivalent certification, training and experience
- 2+ years working experience in electrical power system planning, design, testing, installation, commissioning, operation and/or maintenance
- Demonstrated proficiency with modern test equipment such as OMICRON or Doble
- Willing to travel up to 75% of the time
- Familiarity with Autocad, Microstation and AcSELerator Quickset
- Ability to write automated test plans for testing protective devices
- Familiarity with industry protocols (IEC-61850, DNP, Modbus)
Physical Requirements
Ability to work in outside environments with varying climates
Ability to stand, walk, sit, bend, squat, climb, and use arm and hand movements
Ability to carry tools and to handle materials and equipment of up to 50 pounds
Ability to work at heights on lifts, stepladders and/or extension ladders
LOCATION
We are open to MULTIPLE locations.
Lewis Center, OH - This position is located in Lewis Center, OH, located 15 miles outside of downtown Columbus. Here you will enjoy all the big city has to offer, including easy access to outdoor recreation, professional sports teams, and great universities. Centrally located in Ohio and quickly growing, you won't have to look far for great dining, shopping, and entertainment. There has never been a better time to call Lewis Center home.
King of Prussia, PA - This position is located in King of Prussia, PA. Located just twenty miles from Philadelphia, its close proximity allows residents to enjoy all that the big city has to offer. Enjoy easy access to trails along the river, or attend sporting events nearby. The diverse options make King of Prussia the perfect place to call home.
Alpharetta, GA - This position is located in Alpharetta, GA. The city is located between the North Georgia Mountains and Atlanta, allowing residents to enjoy the big city, and easy access to outdoor recreation. However, you won't have to look to Atlanta for big city comforts, Alpharetta is quickly growing and offers amazing shopping, dining, and entertainment.
Charlotte, NC - This position is located in Charlotte, NC, a vibrant and bustling metropolis located in the heart of North Carolina. As one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, it seamlessly blends its rich history with a modern and dynamic atmosphere. With an eclectic culinary scene, charming neighborhoods, and a warm southern hospitality, Charlotte exudes a unique charm that captivates residents and visitors alike.
Wesley Chapel, FL – This position is located in Wesley Chapel, Florida. Just north of Tampa, Wesley Chapel offers the perfect blend of suburban comfort and city convenience. Residents enjoy access to top-rated schools, vibrant shopping centers, and a growing food scene. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore scenic parks, nature trails, and nearby Gulf Coast beaches. With its welcoming community and dynamic growth, Wesley Chapel is an ideal place to live and work.
Nashua, NH – This position is located in Nashua, NH, one of Southern New Hampshire’s most vibrant communities. Enjoy a high quality of life with a blend of urban amenities and New England charm, excellent schools, diverse dining and shopping options, and easy access to outdoor recreation. Conveniently located near Boston, Nashua offers a strong local economy, beautiful parks and trails, and a family-friendly atmosphere.
COMPENSATION
- Competitive pay. Superior benefits. Inspiring work.
People are at the core of our company and we hire employee-owners. We welcome you to learn more about how we support employees.
- We’re 100% employee owned. Retirement benefits include an employer funded stock ownership plan (ESOP) and personal 401(k) options.
- We offer top tier medical, prescription, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
- We recognize the importance of a healthy life balance and offer: 10 paid holidays, annual vacation accrual starting at 12 days, 9 paid sick days, and paid family and medical leave that covers 90% of your pay.
- We foster growth and development of our employees through avenues such as STEM courses, apprenticeships, tuition assistance, and engineering development programs.
- Ask our team about other benefits including wellness, fertility, adoption, and flexible spending benefits.
Pay Range Data
$33.00 - $60.00
We are open to reviewing additional candidates with more or less experience and the pay range may differ if filled at a different level. Our pay ranges are determined by job, responsibility, and location. We base our starting pay offer and title on location and job-related factors such as candidate experience, training, knowledge, and skills.
Communication with Applicants
We communicate with all applicants. If you do not receive a response about your application, please check your SPAM filter or reach out to us at careers@selinc.com.
SEL is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Vets/Disabled.
See all H-1B Visa Relay Technician Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Relay Technician Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Relay Technician
Verify your SOC code before applying
Relay Technician roles are typically filed under SOC 17-3023 (Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists). Confirm the employer's LCA uses this code so prevailing wage calculations and specialty occupation arguments align with your actual duties.
Pull prevailing wage data for your metro area
Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up Level I through Level IV wages for SOC 17-3023 in your target city. Knowing these tiers before salary discussions lets you spot whether an offer meets DOL requirements.
Target utilities and grid operators directly
Investor-owned utilities, regional transmission organizations, and independent power producers file H-1B petitions regularly for protection relay work. Many are cap-exempt as government-affiliated research entities, so your petition wouldn't be subject to the annual lottery.
Search H-1B filing history on Migrate Mate
Filter by occupation code to see which employers have certified LCAs for relay and protection engineering roles. This shows you which companies have a documented sponsorship track record, not just a careers page that says they're open to it.
Prepare a specialty occupation evidence package
USCIS scrutinizes technician-level roles heavily. Gather degree transcripts, IEC or NETA certifications, relay test reports, and any job postings from your employer requiring a relevant degree to build a strong specialty occupation record before the I-129 is filed.
Negotiate filing fees and premium processing upfront
Employers are prohibited from passing certain USCIS filing fees to H-1B workers. Confirm before signing your offer letter that the employer will cover the I-129 filing fee and clarify whether premium processing for a 15-business-day decision is included.
H-1B Visa Relay Technician: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Relay Technician role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
It can, but it requires deliberate documentation. USCIS requires that the position normally requires at least a bachelor's degree in a directly related field. For relay technician roles, this typically means electrical engineering or electrical engineering technology. If your employer's job description lists the degree as preferred rather than required, request that it be amended before the I-129 is filed, since that wording has been used to deny specialty occupation status.
Which types of employers sponsor H-1B visas for relay technicians?
Investor-owned utilities, independent system operators, engineering consultancies, and industrial automation firms are the most common H-1B sponsors for protection relay work. You can review verified H-1B LCA filing history by occupation code on Migrate Mate to identify which specific employers have an active sponsorship track record for this type of role, rather than relying on general claims from recruiters.
What happens to my H-1B status if my employer is acquired or merges with another utility?
A corporate acquisition or merger that results in a successor-in-interest relationship may allow you to continue working without a new H-1B petition, provided the new entity assumes the same terms of employment and the acquisition is a qualifying successor. USCIS evaluates this case by case. If the new employer changes your role, location, or salary materially, an amended I-129 is typically required before those changes take effect.
Can I transfer my H-1B to a new relay technician role at a different utility?
Yes, through H-1B portability. Once your current H-1B petition has been approved and you've been in valid H-1B status, a new employer can file an I-129 transfer petition and you can begin working for them as soon as USCIS receives it, without waiting for approval. The new employer's LCA must reflect the correct prevailing wage for your new location, which you can verify in advance using the OFLC Wage Search.
How does the O*NET classification affect my H-1B petition as a relay technician?
The O*NET occupation profile for electrical and electronics engineering technologists lists job zone four, which correlates with bachelor's-level education requirements. Your employer's attorney will typically reference this profile when arguing specialty occupation status in the I-129 petition. If your specific duties include substation protection design, SCADA integration, or relay coordination studies, those tasks should be documented explicitly in the support letter to reinforce the degree requirement argument.