r/SubstationTechnician

I graduated as an EE with a concentration in power systems. I started my career as a planning engineer (ETAP, power Factory, Cyme) and later moved into a distribution engineer role, handling design, studies, projects, BOMs, and field supervision. After that, I transitioned into a management role overseeing substation field work—supervising all types of testing (including relay testing), construction activities, implementation of P&C designs, RTUs, and troubleshooting across any system inside a substation.

At the same time, my passion has always been power system studies and protection & control. I’ve completed thousands of hours of training on P&C topics. Even though I haven’t formally issued a P&C design, I consider myself a very knowledgeable engineer in that area.

Long story short, I’m considering leaving my mid‑level management position to apply for a P&C or power system studies role. My current income is solid compared to the market, so I’m wondering whether my experience—combined with extensive self‑study—could help me avoid starting over at the bottom of the ladder and allow me to maintain a similar salary.

Has anyone had a similar experience? Any hiring manager who can offer suggestions?

I am open to any of these.

I have underground electrical experience

Can you sub tech and cable splicing guys still storm chase and make good ass money from it?

Thanks just looking for some advice

I’m looking to get into the NETA field. Any tips that could help me. I’m based in TX

I am an overhead crane tech, which is basically a multi craft maintenance tech (electrical, mechanical, welding). I was an outside lineman for 5 years so I am slightly familiar with some aspects of what a NETA tech is. Basically I seen them with their tents set up in substations/ switchyards. And I've flown a few up in buckets so they could test instruments we've installed.

I recently submitted an application for a NETA field tech thinking my linework background would be enough to qualify for neta level experience but apparently it does not. I was contacted about a position with a company (Shermco) out of the Columbus location.( Which I'm 3 hours away from the office and after the initial discussion basically where they share their benefits package and hourly rate, which would be a pay cut for me as a I would be a level 1 tech. But from countless other reddit threads I've read and job postings I've seen it seems like it would be worth the temporary pay cut. )

But after the discussion I was surprised I heard back from them and I'm setting up a interview with the hiring manager.

From what I gathered their focus is data centers.

Any insight on what kind of work that is, who the company is, what to expect from the line of work, and even if it's something I can progress in without a college background would be greatly appreciated. The word Niche keeps coming up in threads and research I've done. I am very intrigued about this field and would like to learn more. Thank you

Has anyone made the switch from a NETA company to a local utility company? I’m tired of all the travel I would like something local but I’ve had zero luck with securing interviews. Any tips? Thanks guys!

I just got an offer at EPS and I’m super excited for the opportunity. I’ll be a substation protection and controls wireman. Can anyone tell me the good, the bad, and the ugly about this line of work? To give some info on my background, I’m coming from manufacturing doing mainly controls wiring in a panel shop environment, along with machine integration. I know the driving and travel can be a lot but I’m willing to tough that out for this opportunity. What are the day to day things that make this kind of work great and not so great? I already accepted the offer and it’ll be a life changing bump in pay for me, I’ve already determined that it’ll be worth it for me to grind the 50 hour weeks and it seems like the managers I interviewed with want me to work towards pre commissioning work given my background in controls wiring. I know this can open many different opportunities up for me. What advice would you give someone in my shoes? What are lessons you learned the hard way in this line of work? Any advice or info is appreciated and I’m excited to start out in this field, although it seems daunting from the outside looking in.

Just venting a bit and hoping some others may have been through something similar. I just started my apprenticeship a few months ago and have been loving the work, like I absolutely love what I get to do every day. My anxiety and mental health have been taking a bit of a toll though, and it’s mainly due to who I work with. My journeyman has been in the trade for 22 years, and although hes extremely knowledgeable, he has very little patience for my mistakes, and criticises everything that I do. I do everything that he asks, and try to do more although he gets furious when I attempt to give him a hand, like this man berates me every freakin day, and I can do nothing right. Its hard to not take his criticisms personal when they’re so frequent, like literally ANYTIME I attempt to work on something. I’m 100% in favor of doing the work correctly, but when its my first time doing something, is it fair to say that I will make mistakes, or is everyone but me born with the ability to retain an entire explanation of how to do something. Idk man Im just feeling like an idiot and hope Im not the only one. The other guys seem to avoid him, so my days consist entirely of being with this dude and being made to feel like i’m dumber than an elementary school kid. Also ive never talked back until today, and I suppose Im upset that I let my impulses get the best of me.

Received an email to interview, was a crazy email with a 3 hour deadline to respond, to interview next day. Then received another one, next day for same thing. Missed both emails, then just received a 3rd email giving me 3 days to respond for an interview in 5 days in Colorado.

Are they hiring pretty fast right now? Seems like they really need bodies with giving 2 emails of a 24 hour notice to interview.

Is Mslcat a good program to get into that will teach you enough to contract out in Cali or other states? I hear it's "mostly construction." And I don't understand that concept, isn't it a 8000hr full apprenticeship?

Going for a utility apprenticeship. Not sure if I should list it here. But there’s people who have applied that have family members already working for the company. I feel like I have 0 shot now since they’re only selecting about 10 people throughout 5 areas. So essentially 2 per station…

And if the family member applicant is at my station(which I know at a minimum, one is), then I essentially have little to no chance.

I guess my question is, do utility companies really favor family members first or do they favor the actual rankings?

I think after knowing this, I personally messed up by not naming names in my application. Brother in laws family all works within the company, but it’s probably too late now for that. I think I’m just bummed out because it’s such a low number they’re accepting and such a high number of “family members” trying out.

Trying to learn more about traveling… a lot of traveling? Forced travel? They keep saying no, but want to hear it from a union employee that can advise. Job comes with a truck, would be a journeyman.

While the market for digital substations is growing, retrofitting or deploying fully digital SF₆ gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) is a massive investment.

For utilities looking to balance cost and ROI, which specific parts or health metrics should be prioritized for digitalization?

Are we better off focusing strictly on continuous SF₆ gas density and leakage monitoring, or should we invest heavily in digitalizing circuit breaker mechanics (e.g., trip coil current, contact wear, and partial discharge)? I would love to hear what asset managers are prioritizing.

Like can yall please just stay in the lineman and electrical field.

This field isn’t typically unionized so the sudden surge of workers only leads to lower wages.

Thinking about trying to jump from linework to p&c/relay side of the power industry. My question is, what’s everyone making? I live in PA.

Hi guys, I was just wondering about what are the most common failure modes you see with GIS, and how do they differ from the typical issues found in an AIS substation?