Field Service Technician - Development Program

POWERX
Ashburn, VA
Career-pivot friendly

Who this role is best for

Aimed at entry-level technical candidates with a background in electrical theory and willingness to travel, this role emphasizes safety-first practices and on-the-job development in the power infrastructure domain.

Best fit for

  • Entry-level candidates eager to grow into specialized testing or commissioning roles through structured training and field experience
    — “The Field Service Technician – Development Program is a full-time, entry-level technical role filled through the POWERX National Technician Development Program.”
  • Individuals with a strong grasp of electrical schematics and a demonstrated ability to adapt to variable field conditions
    — “Ability to read wire schematics and one-line diagrams, and to review scopes of work and drawings.”
  • Candidates who value company-supported certification growth and are comfortable with extensive travel across the US
    — “Willingness and ability to travel extensively and adapt to changing schedules, sites, and crews.”

Things to consider

  • This role demands strict adherence to safety protocols, including daily job hazard analyses and PPE compliance
    — “Apply NFPA 70E requirements and site-specific safety rules on energized and de-energized equipment.”
  • Candidates must be prepared for a long-term commitment to on-the-job learning and certification pursuit
    — “Pursue industry certifications and credentials, including NETA, with company support.”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with relay test sets and testing software in your resume and interview responses
    — “Set up and operate relay test sets (Doble, Omicron, Megger), insulation-resistance testers, HiPot equipment, digital multimeters, and power-quality analyzers.”
  • Emphasize your ability to document and report field results using Microsoft Office and Excel
    — “Use Microsoft Office and Excel to document and report field results clearly.”
  • Demonstrate a strong safety-first mindset and familiarity with NFPA 70E standards
    — “Basic understanding of electrical theory and power systems fundamentals, with the ability to learn and apply testing standards and NFPA 70E safety requirements on live equipment.”
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • accurate testing
  • safe work practices
  • growing independence
  • certifications
Typical background
engineeringfield service

Skills & requirements

Required

Electrical Field TestingCommissioningService ActivitiesNFPA 70ESafety RulesTest Equipment Setup

Preferred

Problem-solvingTeamwork

Stack & domain

Electrical Field TestingCommissioningService ActivitiesPower Systems EquipmentNFPA 70ESite-specific Safety RulesPPELOTOLive-dead-live VerificationDaily Job Hazard AnalysesElectrical HazardsRelay Test SetsInsulation-resistance TestersHipot EquipmentDigital MultimetersPower-quality AnalyzersSafety-firstTeamworkIndependenceCertificationsEngineeringProtection And ControlNETA Field ServicesCompliance

About the role

Original posting from POWERX via Greenhouse

ABOUT US

At POWERX, we make power work.

We deliver engineering, protection and control, commissioning, NETA field services, and compliance, supporting the full lifecycle of power infrastructure.

With a multinational footprint across the United States and Canada, we bring technical depth and field-proven experience to every project.

POWERX is built on four pillars, with our people as the foundation.

Guided by our values, HEART, our people-first culture shapes how we show up for each other and for our clients because we believe the best work comes from people who feel valued and supported.

That commitment to excellence has been recognized nationally, including Great Place to Work, Fortune Best Workplace in Construction, and Power Best Companies.

In an industry where technology and complexity are ever-changing, we’re ready to help you meet today’s challenges while preparing for tomorrow’s innovations.

Work with a team that’s powered by excellence.

OUR POWERX PERKS 

Competitive Pay

Incentives for Certifications

Referral Bonus Program

Tuition Reimbursement

Medical, dental, vision, LTD, STD, Basic Life/AD&D, and other ancillary products

401k program with a company match

Performance Program

Paid Parental Leave

PTO including Wellness Days and Paid Holidays

And much more!

Job Summary:

The Field Service Technician – Development Program is a full-time, entry-level technical role filled through the POWERX National Technician Development Program. New hires complete five weeks of paid, structured classroom and hands-on training — covering workplace electrical safety, power systems fundamentals, schematic and blueprint reading, protection and control, testing and commissioning, and microprocessor relay testing — before deploying to the field.

Once in the field, the technician performs a broad range of electrical field testing, commissioning, and service activities on power systems equipment at customer sites nationwide, from basic measurements and test-equipment setup to acceptance and maintenance testing. Technicians begin by assisting senior technicians with foundational tasks and progressively take on more independent work as they gain experience and certifications, including NETA. Over time they can grow into specialized testing, protection and controls (P&C), or commissioning-focused work. The role exists to build a pipeline of qualified, safety-first field technicians who support POWERX’s testing, commissioning, and field service commitments to customers nationwide.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None

Duties/Responsibilities:

Testing & Commissioning Support

Assist senior technicians with electrical field testing, commissioning, and service activities on power systems equipment at customer sites, from basic measurements to acceptance and maintenance testing.

Execute assigned test points and procedures accurately, taking on more independent testing as experience and certifications grow.

Electrical Safety & Hazard Control

Apply NFPA 70E requirements and site-specific safety rules on energized and de-energized equipment, including PPE, lockout/tagout (LOTO), and live-dead-live verification.

Complete daily job hazard analyses (JHAs), and recognize, report, and help mitigate electrical hazards before they become incidents.

Test Equipment Setup & Operation

Set up and operate relay test sets (Doble, Omicron, Megger), insulation-resistance testers, HiPot equipment, digital multimeters, and power-quality analyzers.

Build growing proficiency with RTS and relay-programming software to support relay, breaker, and transformer testing.

Work with relay test sets (Doble, Omicron, Megger), RTS test software, insulation-resistance testers (megohmmeters), high-potential (HiPot) test equipment, digital multimeters, clamp-on power-quality analyzers, standard hand tools, and a laptop or tablet for data logging and relay-programming software.

Documentation & Reporting

Record test data accurately and, as proficiency grows, help develop test procedures, checkout summaries, and professional reports.

Use Microsoft Office and Excel to document and report field results clearly.

Training, Certification & Development

Complete all five weeks of the POWERX National Technician Development Program and continue on-the-job learning in the field.

Pursue industry certifications and credentials, including NETA, with company support.

Customer-Site Representation

Represent POWERX professionally at client sites nationwide, maintaining punctuality and adhering to site-specific safety and access requirements at all times.

Communicate test findings clearly and professionally to internal teams and customers.

Attributes/Abilities:

Must pass a satisfactory background check and motor vehicle record (MVR) check.

Must pass pre-employment, post-accident, reasonable-suspicion, and random drug and alcohol screening.

Basic understanding of electrical theory and power systems fundamentals, with the ability to learn and apply testing standards and NFPA 70E safety requirements on live equipment.

Ability to read wire schematics and one-line diagrams, and to review scopes of work and drawings.

Growing proficiency with Doble, Omicron, Megger, and RTS test software for relay, breaker, and transformer testing.

Sound safety judgment, with strict and consistent adherence to PPE, LOTO, live-dead-live verification, and daily JHAs as site conditions change.

Strong verbal and written communication skills, with professional, customer-facing interpersonal skills.

Ability to prioritize tasks and maintain attention to detail while working independently in variable field conditions.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Excel for documentation and reporting.

Coachability during the structured training period and a willingness to pursue industry certifications and credentials.

Willingness and ability to travel extensively and adapt to changing schedules, sites, and crews.

Experience and Education:

High school diploma or GED.

Associate degree or a trade/technical school certificate or diploma, preferred.

0–1 years of experience; able to enter the role as an assistant technician performing foundational field-testing tasks under guidance.

OSHA 30-hour, MSHA, NFPA 70E, CPR/First Aid/BBP/AED, or Power DB certificates or training, preferred.

NETA (International Electrical Testing Association) certification — highly valued and can be pursued after hire with company support, preferred.

Working knowledge of protective relay concepts and microprocessor-based relay testing, preferred.

Progression toward 1–3 years of experience in specialized testing, protection and controls, or commissioning work.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

Exposure to adverse conditions.

Additional exposures include electrical hazards (arc-flash and shock risk near energized equipment), outdoor substation environments, and data center hot/cold aisles.

Wear PPE that is mandated and required at divisional level.

Ability to relocate to Phoenix, AZ for five weeks of paid, in-person training (company-provided housing) and to successfully complete all training requirements.

Actual pay depends on factors such as work location and market, skills, education, experience, and other job-related qualifications. Beyond base pay, POWERX offers a full benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k) plan, and paid time off and leave benefits. Eligible roles may include additional compensation such as bonuses or incentives.

Virginia Pay Range (Hourly)$32—$32 USD

Source: POWERX careers (Greenhouse)

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