OPT Relay Technician Jobs
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.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories Engineering Services (SEL-ES) seeks a Relay Commissioning Technician I who is interested in travelling and being the face of SEL to our customers. This position is a great opportunity for those specializing in Relay Technology to work alongside experts in commissioning and get the work experience to be an expert themselves!
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
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.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
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.
COMPENSATION
- Pay Range: $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.
BENEFITS
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.
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
Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories Engineering Services (SEL-ES) seeks a Relay Commissioning Technician I who is interested in travelling and being the face of SEL to our customers. This position is a great opportunity for those specializing in Relay Technology to work alongside experts in commissioning and get the work experience to be an expert themselves!
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
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.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
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.
COMPENSATION
- Pay Range: $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.
BENEFITS
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.
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 36+ OPT Relay Technician Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT 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.
Target employers with H-1B filing history
Large investor-owned utilities and independent system operators have sponsored H-1B visas for engineers before. Prioritizing these employers significantly improves your odds of a sponsorship conversation after your OPT period ends.
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 OPT: Frequently 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.