Relay Technician Jobs for OPT Students
Relay Technician roles in the U.S. power and utilities sector are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in electrical engineering or a related field. STEM OPT extension eligibility gives you up to three years of work authorization, which aligns well with the multi-year training timelines most utilities expect.
See All Relay Technician JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 47+ Relay Technician jobs
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all 47+ Relay Technician jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Relay Technician roles.
Get Access To All JobsAbout the position:
National Grid is in search of an experienced Relay Technician to work out of our Buffalo location. In addition to a starting wage of $45.82 (based on qualifications) per hour, we offer excellent benefits including medical, dental, life insurance, 401(k) plan, vacation, tuition assistance and more. The position offers excellent opportunity for promotion in the field depending on experience level. The level of experience will determine the grade and pay. The base pay ranges from $95,000-$104,000 depending on qualifications and experience level. We offer excellent benefits including medical, dental, life insurance, 401(k) plan, vacation, tuition assistance and more.
Job Description:
- Install, test, maintain, and troubleshoot all types of relays and associated protection and control circuits in distribution, substation, and transmission systems.
- Perform functional testing of protection and control systems.
- Lead and assist other relay technicians in the installation, testing, maintenance, and troubleshooting of power circuit breakers, power transformers, instrument transformers (i.e., current and potential transformers) and auxiliary substation equipment.
- Calibrate and test electromechanical and microprocessor based protection and communication relays.
- Obtain on the job training as well as classroom/lab training.
- Participate in and perform safety reviews/meetings as required.
- Follow and implement all applicable company policies, procedures, and standards.
- Support and promote Company mission and goals.
- Operate various types of test equipment from different manufacturers.
Qualifications and Knowledge
Must have AAS or BS Degree in Electrical Technology or Engineering. OR
AOS in Electrical Construction and Maintenance AND minimum three (3) years of experience as a qualified substation relay technician.
- Adept on the use of computers and able to manage and maintain computer software.
- Adept at working with AC and DC electrical elementary drawings/blue prints.
- General understanding of IEEE /ANSI devices and numbering System.
Additional Requirements
- Must have a valid driver's license with a safe driving history that meets National Grid's Safe Driver Policy.
- Must have high school diploma or equivalent.
- Self-motivated and able to learn on own.
- Ability to work well with vendors, customers, and other employees.
- Good written and oral skills.
- Able to work overtime and respond to emergency call outs.
- NETA Certification is a plus.
Salary:
- $45.82/Hr
Many of the terms and conditions of employment for this position are defined by a collective bargaining agreement that the Company has with a local union. Newly hired employees are bound by the terms of the collective bargaining agreement as well as other agreements between the Company and the local union.
National Grid utilizes an assessment that evaluates the job qualifications/characteristics using AI or statistically based scoring. For more information, please view NYC Local Law 144.
National Grid is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment regardless of protected class. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. National Grid maintains affirmative action programs for individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.
Our employment practices are designed to ensure that all individuals are treated fairly and with respect throughout the hiring process and during employment. National Grid complies with all applicable federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws. We are dedicated to fostering a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment, and we encourage a culture of respect for all.
About the position:
National Grid is in search of an experienced Relay Technician to work out of our Buffalo location. In addition to a starting wage of $45.82 (based on qualifications) per hour, we offer excellent benefits including medical, dental, life insurance, 401(k) plan, vacation, tuition assistance and more. The position offers excellent opportunity for promotion in the field depending on experience level. The level of experience will determine the grade and pay. The base pay ranges from $95,000-$104,000 depending on qualifications and experience level. We offer excellent benefits including medical, dental, life insurance, 401(k) plan, vacation, tuition assistance and more.
Job Description:
- Install, test, maintain, and troubleshoot all types of relays and associated protection and control circuits in distribution, substation, and transmission systems.
- Perform functional testing of protection and control systems.
- Lead and assist other relay technicians in the installation, testing, maintenance, and troubleshooting of power circuit breakers, power transformers, instrument transformers (i.e., current and potential transformers) and auxiliary substation equipment.
- Calibrate and test electromechanical and microprocessor based protection and communication relays.
- Obtain on the job training as well as classroom/lab training.
- Participate in and perform safety reviews/meetings as required.
- Follow and implement all applicable company policies, procedures, and standards.
- Support and promote Company mission and goals.
- Operate various types of test equipment from different manufacturers.
Qualifications and Knowledge
Must have AAS or BS Degree in Electrical Technology or Engineering. OR
AOS in Electrical Construction and Maintenance AND minimum three (3) years of experience as a qualified substation relay technician.
- Adept on the use of computers and able to manage and maintain computer software.
- Adept at working with AC and DC electrical elementary drawings/blue prints.
- General understanding of IEEE /ANSI devices and numbering System.
Additional Requirements
- Must have a valid driver's license with a safe driving history that meets National Grid's Safe Driver Policy.
- Must have high school diploma or equivalent.
- Self-motivated and able to learn on own.
- Ability to work well with vendors, customers, and other employees.
- Good written and oral skills.
- Able to work overtime and respond to emergency call outs.
- NETA Certification is a plus.
Salary:
- $45.82/Hr
Many of the terms and conditions of employment for this position are defined by a collective bargaining agreement that the Company has with a local union. Newly hired employees are bound by the terms of the collective bargaining agreement as well as other agreements between the Company and the local union.
National Grid utilizes an assessment that evaluates the job qualifications/characteristics using AI or statistically based scoring. For more information, please view NYC Local Law 144.
National Grid is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment regardless of protected class. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. National Grid maintains affirmative action programs for individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.
Our employment practices are designed to ensure that all individuals are treated fairly and with respect throughout the hiring process and during employment. National Grid complies with all applicable federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws. We are dedicated to fostering a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment, and we encourage a culture of respect for all.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Relay Technician
Lead with your STEM OPT timeline
Utilities plan workforce development in multi-year cycles. When you apply, clearly state that your STEM OPT gives you up to three years of authorized work. That timeline reassures hiring managers who worry about short-term authorization gaps.
Highlight relevant technical certifications
NERC certifications, relay testing experience with SEL or GE equipment, and familiarity with protection coordination studies all signal job-readiness. Concrete credentials reduce employer hesitation around sponsoring an OPT student for a specialized technical role.
Connect your degree field to the role explicitly
Relay Technician roles often require an electrical engineering or power systems background. In your resume and cover letter, map your coursework or projects directly to protection systems, fault analysis, or substation work to satisfy OPT employer eligibility requirements.
Engage with utilities during campus recruiting seasons
Major utilities recruit heavily at engineering schools in the fall. Early engagement through career fairs and informational interviews lets you surface the OPT conversation before an offer stage, when immigration logistics are easier to plan around.
Prepare a one-page OPT authorization summary
Many utilities HR teams are unfamiliar with OPT mechanics. A brief document outlining your EAD card, authorized period, STEM extension eligibility, and E-Verify enrollment requirement removes friction and speeds up the internal approval process considerably.
Relay Technician jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Relay Technician JobsSee all 47+ Relay Technician jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Relay Technician roles.
Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does a Relay Technician role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree field, not the job title. If your EAD was issued based on a STEM-designated degree such as electrical engineering or power systems engineering, and the Relay Technician role is directly related to that field, you qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Your DSO must confirm the relationship between the role and your degree before filing the extension.
Do Relay Technician employers need to be enrolled in E-Verify to hire OPT students?
For standard OPT, E-Verify enrollment is not required. However, if you are applying for the STEM OPT extension, your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify before USCIS will approve the extension. Most large utilities and engineering contractors are already enrolled, but it is worth confirming before accepting an offer that relies on STEM OPT status.
Where can I find Relay Technician jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT and international students, so every listing on the platform is filtered for visa-friendliness. Searching for Relay Technician or protection engineer roles on Migrate Mate saves time you would otherwise spend screening out employers who do not work with OPT candidates.
Can I start a Relay Technician job before my EAD card arrives?
No. You cannot begin paid employment until you physically have your EAD card in hand and the start date on the card has passed. For Relay Technician roles at utilities, onboarding paperwork, background checks, and security clearance steps often take several weeks, so apply for your EAD at least 90 days before your intended start date.
What happens to my OPT status if I am laid off from a Relay Technician position?
You have a 90-day unemployment buffer during standard OPT. If you are on the STEM OPT extension, the total unemployment allowed across the full post-completion OPT period is 150 days. A layoff does not immediately end your status, but you must secure new employment or change to another visa status before the buffer runs out.
See which Relay Technician employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.
Search Relay Technician Jobs