Relay Technician Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Relay technicians maintain and repair electrical protection systems in power grids, qualifying for H-1B and other work visas as specialized electrical engineering roles. Most positions require an electrical engineering degree and hands-on experience with relay testing equipment. Utility companies and electrical contractors regularly sponsor visas for experienced relay technicians due to specialized skill requirements.
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Get Access To All JobsPOWER YOUR GREATNESS
PacifiCorp is seeking customer-centric candidates to grow and sustain our commitment to a culture of customer service excellence, environmental sustainability, inclusion & belonging.
Responsibilities
A Journeyman Technician, commonly referred to as Meter & Relay Technician, Instrument & Control Technician, Plant Technician, or Engineering & Controls Technician, is a Journeyman qualified to install, maintain, adjust, test and repair all substation and generating station meters, relay and control equipment, such as meters, governors, solid state exciters, computerized controls systems, and may work on other apparatus within their qualifications involved with the operation and maintenance of the Company’s facilities.
The Employee must have a working knowledge of all relay and control schemes sufficient to enable them to diagnose and correct troubles on station meter, relay, and remote-control equipment, including supervisory and telemetering.
They shall be qualified to and will prepare reports and records incidental to the work. The Employee shall also be responsible for meter, relay, and control equipment, and electrical control system, including vehicles, tools, test equipment, spare parts and supplies provided by the Company.
Requirements
- A high school diploma, GED or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Has successfully completed an electrical apprenticeship or equivalent program.
- Relevant experience and/or training.
- Must pass a pre-qualifying skills test.
- Good driving record.
- Physical exam required.
Preferences
- 3+ years’ experience as an Instrument & Control Technician or Meter & Relay Technician.
- Class A CDL.
Additional Information
Req Id: 114403
Company Code: PacifiCorp
Primary Location: Idleyld Park, Oregon 100% ONSITE
Department: Power Supply
Schedule: Full-Time
Personnel Subarea: IBEW Local 659
Hiring Range: $71.13 per hour
Benefits: Health care, retirement, paid time off, tuition assistance, paid short-term and long-term disability, paid bereavement leave. For more information, please visit: https://careers.pacificorp.com/content/New-Benefits-Page/?locale=en_US
Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without an accommodation.
PacifiCorp is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion or religious creed, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status (except as required by law), gender (including gender identity and expression), sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran or military status, familial or parental status, marital status or any other category protected by applicable local, state or U.S. federal law.
Unless otherwise required by law, all offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and drug screening including for marijuana. While marijuana is legal in several states, including Oregon, a positive test for positions in Oregon may disqualify a candidate. The company complies with the laws of Washington and California and only obtains and considers positive tests for marijuana in safety-sensitive positions or those covered by U.S. Department of Transportation regulations.
POWER YOUR GREATNESS
PacifiCorp is seeking customer-centric candidates to grow and sustain our commitment to a culture of customer service excellence, environmental sustainability, inclusion & belonging.
Responsibilities
A Journeyman Technician, commonly referred to as Meter & Relay Technician, Instrument & Control Technician, Plant Technician, or Engineering & Controls Technician, is a Journeyman qualified to install, maintain, adjust, test and repair all substation and generating station meters, relay and control equipment, such as meters, governors, solid state exciters, computerized controls systems, and may work on other apparatus within their qualifications involved with the operation and maintenance of the Company’s facilities.
The Employee must have a working knowledge of all relay and control schemes sufficient to enable them to diagnose and correct troubles on station meter, relay, and remote-control equipment, including supervisory and telemetering.
They shall be qualified to and will prepare reports and records incidental to the work. The Employee shall also be responsible for meter, relay, and control equipment, and electrical control system, including vehicles, tools, test equipment, spare parts and supplies provided by the Company.
Requirements
- A high school diploma, GED or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Has successfully completed an electrical apprenticeship or equivalent program.
- Relevant experience and/or training.
- Must pass a pre-qualifying skills test.
- Good driving record.
- Physical exam required.
Preferences
- 3+ years’ experience as an Instrument & Control Technician or Meter & Relay Technician.
- Class A CDL.
Additional Information
Req Id: 114403
Company Code: PacifiCorp
Primary Location: Idleyld Park, Oregon 100% ONSITE
Department: Power Supply
Schedule: Full-Time
Personnel Subarea: IBEW Local 659
Hiring Range: $71.13 per hour
Benefits: Health care, retirement, paid time off, tuition assistance, paid short-term and long-term disability, paid bereavement leave. For more information, please visit: https://careers.pacificorp.com/content/New-Benefits-Page/?locale=en_US
Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without an accommodation.
PacifiCorp is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion or religious creed, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status (except as required by law), gender (including gender identity and expression), sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran or military status, familial or parental status, marital status or any other category protected by applicable local, state or U.S. federal law.
Unless otherwise required by law, all offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and drug screening including for marijuana. While marijuana is legal in several states, including Oregon, a positive test for positions in Oregon may disqualify a candidate. The company complies with the laws of Washington and California and only obtains and considers positive tests for marijuana in safety-sensitive positions or those covered by U.S. Department of Transportation regulations.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Relay Technician
Target utility companies and large electrical contractors
Major utilities like Duke Energy, PG&E, and electrical contractors such as Quanta Services frequently sponsor H-1B visas for relay technicians with specialized protection system experience.
Emphasize your protection system certifications
Highlight SEL, GE, or ABB relay system certifications in your application. These specialized credentials strengthen the specialty occupation argument for visa approval.
Document your SCADA and testing equipment experience
Detail experience with specific relay testing equipment, SCADA systems, and power system analysis software. This technical specialization supports H-1B specialty occupation requirements.
Apply to renewable energy infrastructure projects
Solar and wind farm developers need relay technicians for grid interconnection projects. These growing sectors often have visa sponsorship budgets for qualified candidates.
Consider industrial facilities beyond utilities
Large manufacturing plants, data centers, and hospitals need relay technicians for their electrical systems. These employers may have less competition for sponsored positions.
Network through IEEE Power & Energy Society chapters
Join local IEEE chapters to connect with utility engineers and electrical contractors. Many relay technician positions are filled through professional referrals rather than job boards.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Do relay technicians qualify for H-1B specialty occupation status?
Yes, relay technician positions typically qualify as specialty occupations when they require an electrical engineering degree and involve specialized protection system work. The role's technical complexity and degree requirement usually satisfy USCIS specialty occupation criteria, though job descriptions must emphasize engineering analysis rather than routine maintenance tasks.
What degree do I need for H-1B sponsorship as a relay technician?
Most sponsored relay technician positions require a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, power systems engineering, or closely related field. Some employers may accept electrical technology degrees combined with significant relay testing experience, but engineering degrees provide stronger H-1B petitions.
Which visa options work best for relay technicians?
H-1B is the primary option for relay technicians with engineering degrees. TN visa works for Canadian and Mexican citizens in engineering roles. L-1 may apply if transferring within multinational utility companies. O-1 is possible for technicians with extraordinary expertise in specialized protection systems.
How competitive is H-1B sponsorship for relay technicians?
Moderately competitive, as utility companies and electrical contractors do sponsor visas but have limited budgets. Your chances improve with specialized certifications in protection systems, experience with utility-scale projects, and targeting companies with active infrastructure expansion or modernization programs.
Can relay technicians get green cards through employment?
Yes, relay technicians with engineering degrees can pursue EB-2 or EB-3 green cards. EB-2 requires advanced degrees or exceptional ability in electrical protection systems. Most qualify for EB-3 professional worker category. PERM labor certification may be challenging due to available U.S. workers with similar skills.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Relay Technician jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.
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