Application Engineer, High Voltage Circuit Breakers

HICO America, with headquarters in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and facilities in Los Angeles and Greensburg, PA, is part of the Power Systems business unit, in the Industrial Performance Group of the Hyosung Corporation, a publicly traded conglomerate based in Seoul, South Korea. HICO is an ISO 9001 and 14001 certified company, with primary business in power system products. Our goal remains to Power the Success of our customers' projects, doing our part & contributing by bringing projects online on-time, and exceeding expectations of quality and service.

Application Engineer, High Voltage Circuit Breakers (HVCB)

Supporting transmission-class dead tank circuit breaker applications from 69kV through 800kV.

The High Voltage Circuit Breaker Application Engineer (HVCB Application Engineer) reports to the Manager, Application Engineering and is responsible for the technical review and support of orders from the bid stage through post-completion customer field support for high-voltage dead tank circuit breakers utilizing SF6 and emerging alternative insulating technologies.

The HVCB Application Engineer provides US-based support to sales, project management, turnkey, design, transportation, installation, commissioning, and field service teams as well as customers and overseas design and manufacturing teams.

Key Responsibilities

Bidding Stage

• Review incoming RFP’s to identify major requirements
• Discuss RFP requirements and project expectations with design team
• Participate in selection of appropriate available product models
• Review HVCB drawing packages from design team and compare with customer specifications to ensure technical requirements and standards are met
• Identify clarifications and deviations to customer specification
• Identify and recommend any design changes to improve competitiveness and ensure consistency of designs for each customer
• Participate in internal bid review meetings as necessary and assist Sales Managers in understanding all equipment design packages
• Support sales on technical discussions and bid clarification presentations with customer
• Review customer requirements related to ANSI/IEEE C37 standards, utility specifications, seismic requirements, transient recovery voltage (TRV), switching duty, insulation coordination, and transmission system application considerations
• Support technical evaluation of dead tank breaker configurations, operating mechanisms, CT integration, control schemes, and auxiliary systems
• Coordinate with global engineering teams regarding applicability of SF6 alternative technologies and evolving environmental or regulatory requirements

Project Execution Stage

• Support turnover meeting with Project Execution team
• Attend and support project kickoff meetings with customer
• Support communications between factory design engineers and customers during design stage of high-voltage dead tank circuit breakers
• Review drawings, BOM, design documents, and test plans to ensure customer comments and specifications are met
• Participate in Design Reviews with customers, consultants, and design engineers
• Review and analyze factory test reports to ensure test requirements are met
• Play key role in analysis of Root Cause failures and Lessons Learned Reports
• Review factory type test and routine test documentation associated with IEEE/ANSI and IEC requirements
• Support resolution of technical issues involving breaker controls, gas systems, mechanical operation, CT performance, timing, and field integration
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders on transmission utility approval processes and technical compliance matters

Installation and Commissioning

• Provide technical guidance to departments handling installation and commissioning of equipment
• Review and analyze field test results to ensure site test requirements are met and equipment is ready to be placed into service
• Support troubleshooting and technical resolution of field issues involving breaker operation, control systems, gas handling, timing, alarms, and interlocks
• Review commissioning documentation including timing tests, contact resistance, CT verification, wiring verification, and functional checks

Customer Support

• Interface with subcomponent vendors for resolution of technical problems (including manufacturers of monitoring equipment, relays, etc.)
• Provide remote field support for technical issues at site before and after energization
• Perform other duties as assigned
• Support technical presentations and product discussions with utilities, EPCs, consultants, and end users
• Represent the HVCB product line in technical discussions with customers, industry organizations, and standards committees as applicable

Education / Skills Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent technical discipline; 2-7 years’ experience in design, manufacturing, testing, field service, or application engineering, or equivalent education and experience
• Developed analytical skills
• Strong computer skills, emphasizing knowledge of MS Office products
• Experience in the Transmission, Distribution, or Generation industry
• Ability to read and interpret transmission one-lines, schematic diagrams, wiring diagrams, GA drawings, and customer technical specifications
• Understanding of high-voltage substation equipment and transmission utility practices
• Ability to work directly with customers, factories, and cross-functional engineering teams on technically complex projects

Preferred Skills

• Previous experience with high-voltage dead tank circuit breakers, switchgear, or related substation equipment highly desired
• Experience using AutoCAD or other comparable design tools
• Experience with engineering analysis related programs such as finite element analysis
• Familiarity with ANSI/IEEE C37 standards and high-voltage testing requirements
• Experience supporting equipment in the 69kV–800kV transmission voltage range
• Experience with factory acceptance testing (FAT), commissioning, field troubleshooting, or utility technical support
• Knowledge of SF6 handling practices and emerging alternative insulating or interruption technologies is a plus
• Participation in IEEE Switchgear Committee activities, working groups, or familiarity with IEEE C37 standards development is highly valued

What Makes Someone Successful in This Role

• Ability to independently manage technically complex transmission projects with minimal supervision
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work directly with utilities, EPCs, consultants, factories, and field personnel
• Strong ownership mentality and willingness to resolve technical issues through completion
• Ability to balance commercial competitiveness with technical and quality requirements
• Comfort operating in customer-facing situations including design reviews, technical presentations, factory testing, and field support
• Interest in becoming a long-term technical resource and subject matter expert within the transmission breaker industry
• Active engagement with industry standards, including participation in IEEE Switchgear Committee activities and familiarity with IEEE C37 series standards related to high-voltage circuit breakers and substations

HICO America provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.