Subject Matter Expert (SME) – Air-Insulated and Gas-Insulated Switchgear (AIS/GIS)

Job Requirements

At Quest Global, it’s not just what we do but how and why we do it that makes us different. With over 25 years as an engineering services provider, we believe in the power of doing things differently to make the impossible possible. Our people are driven by the desire to make the world a better place—to make a positive difference that contributes to a brighter future. We bring together technologies and industries, alongside the contributions of diverse individuals who are empowered by an intentional workplace culture, to solve problems better and faster.

Role Overview

The Subject Matter Expert (SME) serves as the recognized technical authority for Air-Insulated Switchgear (AIS) and Gas-Insulated Switchgear (GIS) technologies, providing technical leadership, governance, and strategic guidance across Product Management, Research & Development, Manufacturing, Quality, Procurement, and Service functions.

This role focuses on product technology, equipment design, performance optimization, reliability, standards compliance, and technology evolution. The SME acts as a trusted advisor in technical decision-making and product development activities, rather than being involved in substation application engineering or project execution.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Advisory

- Serve as the organization's recognized technical expert in AIS and GIS technologies.
- Provide technical leadership and strategic guidance on product architecture, design principles, insulation systems, material selection, and equipment performance.
- Advise cross-functional teams on complex technical challenges, emerging technologies, and industry best practices.
- Support critical technical decision-making processes through risk assessment, technology evaluation, and expert recommendations.

Design Governance & Product Excellence

- Review and challenge technical specifications, design concepts, engineering change requests, and product qualification strategies.
- Participate in design reviews, technical governance boards, and product approval forums.
- Ensure technical solutions align with performance, reliability, manufacturability, and compliance requirements.
- Identify opportunities for product standardization, modularization, cost optimization, and performance enhancement.

Reliability & Problem Resolution

- Lead root cause analysis (RCA) activities for significant product, manufacturing, or field performance issues.
- Provide recommendations for corrective and preventive actions to improve product reliability and lifecycle performance.
- Support failure investigations and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.

Standards & Compliance

- Provide technical guidance on applicable IEC, IEEE, CIGRE, and utility-specific requirements related to AIS and GIS products.
- Support product qualification, type testing, certification, and standards compliance activities.
- Monitor industry trends, regulatory developments, and technology advancements to ensure organizational readiness and competitiveness.

Knowledge Management & Capability Development

- Develop technical guidelines, engineering best practices, design standards, and lessons learned documentation.
- Deliver technical training, mentoring, and coaching to engineering and cross-functional teams.
- Promote knowledge sharing and technical excellence across the organization.

We are known for our extraordinary people who make the impossible possible every day. Questians are driven by hunger, humility, and aspiration. We believe that our company culture is the key to our ability to make a true difference in every industry we reach. Our teams regularly invest time and dedicated effort into internal culture work, ensuring that all voices are heard.

We wholeheartedly believe in the diversity of thought that comes with fostering a culture rooted in respect, where everyone belongs, is valued, and feels inspired to share their ideas. We know embracing our unique differences makes us better, and that solving the worlds hardest engineering problems requires diverse ideas, perspectives, and backgrounds. We shine the brightest when we tap into the many dimensions that thrive across over 21,000 difference-makers in our workplace.

Work Experience

Required Qualifications

- Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Engineering, or a related field.
- Minimum 15 years of experience in high-voltage switchgear technologies, with significant expertise in AIS and/or GIS products.
- Demonstrated experience in technical leadership, design reviews, troubleshooting, and product development support.

Technical Expertise

Deep knowledge and practical experience in:

- AIS and GIS equipment design principles and product architecture
- High-voltage insulation systems and dielectric design
- Switching devices and interruption technologies
- Electrical clearances, insulation coordination, and dielectric performance
- Product qualification, type testing, and validation methodologies
- Reliability engineering, failure analysis, and root cause investigation
- IEC, IEEE, and CIGRE standards applicable to high-voltage switchgear
- Product lifecycle management, technology roadmap development, and continuous improvement methodologies

Preferred Competencies

- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
- Ability to influence technical decisions across multidisciplinary teams.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience working with global engineering, manufacturing, and service organizations.

Proven ability to mentor engineers and drive technical capability development.