TN Visa Relay Technician Jobs
Relay Technician roles qualify for TN visa sponsorship under the USMCA treaty's Engineering category, covering professionals who install, test, and maintain protective relay systems. Canadian citizens can apply at the port of entry with no cap or lottery. Mexican citizens apply through a U.S. consulate. A qualifying job offer from a U.S. employer is required before you file.
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Get Access To All JobsABOUT AMPIRICAL
At Ampirical, we're shaping the future of the power grid with precision, innovation, and purpose. Just as the ampere is the foundation of electric current, Ampirical is a core force driving the energy sector forward. We focus on quality, forward-thinking solutions, and empowering our team to grow and thrive.
We don’t just build projects—we build careers. If you’re looking for a place where your contributions matter and your professional development is supported every step of the way, we’d love to meet you. Watch this video to get a glimpse into our culture.
WHY AMPIRICAL?
- Salary Range: $92,000 - $180,000 (dependent on experience, education, and qualifications)
- Profit-Sharing Bonus: Semi-annual, performance-based (10% to 20% of salary)
- Day-One Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision
- 401(k) with 4% match and immediate vesting
- PTO: Starting at 80 hours of vacation & 40 hours of sick time per year + 10 paid holidays
- Flexible Work Schedule: Every other Friday off
- Career Development: Advancement opportunities, tuition reimbursement
- Perks: Gym membership stipend, wellness program, fertility benefits, pet insurance, and more
JOB SUMMARY
The Relay Protection and Controls Engineer is responsible for the design and procurement of protective relaying equipment for substations, switchyards, and transmission lines. They are accountable for adherence to and revisions of design/construction scope processes. The Senior Engineer works closely with the client to ensure quality design to meet client's standards and provides field support to the client during construction activities as required.
WHO YOU ARE
- Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from an ABET accredited university
- 4+ years of experience engineering/designing electrical systems within the Utilities or Energy industry
- Experience with ETAP, WinIGS, IEEE 88/998
- Experience using Autodesk AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor, Bentley MicroStation and/or Bentley Substation software to develop 2D drawings or 3D models are a plus.
- PE Certification
- Knowledge and understanding of one or more of the following skillsets: SCADA, automation, relay settings, RTU configuration, and Protection & Controls engineering terms and concepts are a plus.
- Experience working with the electric utility industry or petro-chemical industry.
- BSEE Degree with 6+ years of experience.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Identify proper protection and control schemes for transmission and distribution substations.
- Select proper protection devices for equipment within a substation.
- Prepare scopes of work and estimates for evaluating and designing substations.
- Identify proper equipment sizing and order material.
- Ensure the maintenance and adherence of customer standards as it pertains to relay protection.
- Create drawing packages for substation relay protection that include wiring diagrams, schematics, protection panels, one-line, and three-line diagrams.
- Interface with clients and vendors.
- Perform load calculations for load panels, battery systems, voltage drop, and other various substation components.
- Perform substation field support and field pre-inspection for “turn-key” substation projects consisting of protection panels, circuit switchers, circuit breakers, transformers, control house, and supporting equipment.
- Mentor new engineers.
Ampirical is an Equal Opportunity Employer, meaning we do not discriminate based on the following characteristics in our hiring and employment practices: Age, sex, color, race, creed, national origin, religion or religious attire, marital status, pregnancy (child birth or related medical conditions), citizenship status or amnesty, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, sickle-cell trait, status as a tobacco user or non-user, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law.
ABOUT AMPIRICAL
At Ampirical, we're shaping the future of the power grid with precision, innovation, and purpose. Just as the ampere is the foundation of electric current, Ampirical is a core force driving the energy sector forward. We focus on quality, forward-thinking solutions, and empowering our team to grow and thrive.
We don’t just build projects—we build careers. If you’re looking for a place where your contributions matter and your professional development is supported every step of the way, we’d love to meet you. Watch this video to get a glimpse into our culture.
WHY AMPIRICAL?
- Salary Range: $92,000 - $180,000 (dependent on experience, education, and qualifications)
- Profit-Sharing Bonus: Semi-annual, performance-based (10% to 20% of salary)
- Day-One Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision
- 401(k) with 4% match and immediate vesting
- PTO: Starting at 80 hours of vacation & 40 hours of sick time per year + 10 paid holidays
- Flexible Work Schedule: Every other Friday off
- Career Development: Advancement opportunities, tuition reimbursement
- Perks: Gym membership stipend, wellness program, fertility benefits, pet insurance, and more
JOB SUMMARY
The Relay Protection and Controls Engineer is responsible for the design and procurement of protective relaying equipment for substations, switchyards, and transmission lines. They are accountable for adherence to and revisions of design/construction scope processes. The Senior Engineer works closely with the client to ensure quality design to meet client's standards and provides field support to the client during construction activities as required.
WHO YOU ARE
- Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from an ABET accredited university
- 4+ years of experience engineering/designing electrical systems within the Utilities or Energy industry
- Experience with ETAP, WinIGS, IEEE 88/998
- Experience using Autodesk AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor, Bentley MicroStation and/or Bentley Substation software to develop 2D drawings or 3D models are a plus.
- PE Certification
- Knowledge and understanding of one or more of the following skillsets: SCADA, automation, relay settings, RTU configuration, and Protection & Controls engineering terms and concepts are a plus.
- Experience working with the electric utility industry or petro-chemical industry.
- BSEE Degree with 6+ years of experience.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Identify proper protection and control schemes for transmission and distribution substations.
- Select proper protection devices for equipment within a substation.
- Prepare scopes of work and estimates for evaluating and designing substations.
- Identify proper equipment sizing and order material.
- Ensure the maintenance and adherence of customer standards as it pertains to relay protection.
- Create drawing packages for substation relay protection that include wiring diagrams, schematics, protection panels, one-line, and three-line diagrams.
- Interface with clients and vendors.
- Perform load calculations for load panels, battery systems, voltage drop, and other various substation components.
- Perform substation field support and field pre-inspection for “turn-key” substation projects consisting of protection panels, circuit switchers, circuit breakers, transformers, control house, and supporting equipment.
- Mentor new engineers.
Ampirical is an Equal Opportunity Employer, meaning we do not discriminate based on the following characteristics in our hiring and employment practices: Age, sex, color, race, creed, national origin, religion or religious attire, marital status, pregnancy (child birth or related medical conditions), citizenship status or amnesty, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, sickle-cell trait, status as a tobacco user or non-user, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law.
See all TN Visa Relay Technician Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding TN Visa Sponsorship as a Relay Technician
Document your relay-specific technical credentials
TN visa approval under the Engineering category requires proof your background directly supports relay work. Gather transcripts showing an electrical engineering or power systems degree, plus any NERC certifications, to establish the specialty occupation connection before you apply.
Target utilities and independent power operators
Investor-owned utilities, rural electric cooperatives, and independent system operators file TN petitions routinely for protection and controls roles. Their HR teams recognize the visa category, which shortens the internal approval cycle compared to employers unfamiliar with TN sponsorship.
Clarify the engineering degree requirement early
CBP officers evaluate whether your credentials satisfy the Engineering designation. If your degree is in a closely related field like electrical technology, prepare a credential evaluation showing equivalency to a U.S. bachelor's in engineering before your port-of-entry or consular appointment.
Use Migrate Mate to find verified sponsoring employers
Search Migrate Mate to identify employers with active TN visa sponsorship history for technical and engineering roles. Filtering by sponsorship track record saves time by surfacing companies already set up to hire Canadian and Mexican professionals without internal policy barriers.
Negotiate TN filing before your start date
TN status is employer-specific, so you can't begin work until the petition is approved. Build a buffer of at least two to three weeks into your offer timeline to account for document preparation, especially if your employer needs to draft a formal support letter for CBP.
Confirm your employer's job description matches relay work
CBP assesses TN eligibility based on the specific duties in your offer letter, not your job title alone. Ask your employer to list relay testing, protection scheme commissioning, and substation maintenance explicitly, avoiding vague language like 'electrical maintenance' that could invite scrutiny.
Relay Technician TN Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Relay Technician role qualify for a TN visa?
Yes, if the position falls under the Engineering category as defined by USMCA. CBP will look at your job duties and your degree to confirm the role requires specialized engineering knowledge. Positions focused on installing, commissioning, and maintaining protective relay and control systems at substations or transmission facilities consistently meet this standard when supported by an electrical engineering or power systems degree.
How does the TN visa compare to H-1B for Relay Technician jobs?
For Relay Technician roles, TN has a significant practical advantage over H-1B visa. There is no annual lottery, no cap for Canadian citizens, and Canadian applicants can receive approval at a port of entry the same day. H-1B requires employer sponsorship months in advance, lottery selection, and USCIS adjudication that can take several months. TN is also renewable indefinitely in three-year increments as long as your job and status remain valid.
What documents does my employer need to provide for TN sponsorship?
Your employer must provide a detailed support letter on company letterhead stating your job title, a description of your specific relay duties, your qualifications, your anticipated length of employment, and confirmation that you'll be paid the prevailing wage. For Canadian applicants, this letter goes directly to CBP at the border. For Mexican applicants, it accompanies the DS-160 and supporting documents at a U.S. consulate appointment.
Where can I find Relay Technician jobs that offer TN visa sponsorship?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for Canadian and Mexican professionals seeking U.S. jobs with TN visa sponsorship. You can search for Relay Technician and related protection and controls roles filtered by employers who actively sponsor TN visas, which removes the guesswork of approaching companies that have no experience with the USMCA professional categories.
Can Mexican Relay Technicians apply for TN status the same way Canadians do?
No. Canadian citizens apply for TN status directly at a U.S. port of entry and typically receive a decision the same day. Mexican citizens must apply for a TN visa at a U.S. consulate in Mexico, which involves scheduling an interview, paying the MRV fee, and waiting for consular processing. Both nationalities need the same core documents, but the process and timeline differ significantly.