ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Variable Speed Drive Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Quanex

Controls Technician - 1st Shift

Rice Lake, WI · On-site

$25/hr

Has understanding of PLC, HMI, and variable speed drive programming and installation * Is meticulous in maintaining existing documentation and developing new documents as needed * Can perform basic ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsVariable Speed Drive Jobs

Variable Speed Drive information

See salary details

$11

$17

$27

How much do variable speed drive jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for variable speed drive in the United States is $17.29, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $19.47 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Variable Speed Drive vs Motor Technician?

AspectVariable Speed DriveMotor Technician
Primary RoleControls and adjusts motor speed and torque using electronic devicesMaintains, repairs, and installs motors and related equipment
Required CertificationsElectrical certifications, VSD-specific trainingElectrical or mechanical certifications, motor repair training
Work EnvironmentIndustrial settings, control panels, electrical roomsFactories, maintenance workshops, on-site motor installations
Industry UsageManufacturing, HVAC, water treatmentManufacturing, energy, industrial facilities

While a Variable Speed Drive focuses on controlling motor operation electronically, a Motor Technician specializes in maintaining and repairing motors. Both roles often work together in industrial settings, but their core responsibilities differ significantly.

What are some common challenges faced by Variable Speed Drive technicians during equipment installation and how can they be addressed?

Variable Speed Drive (VSD) technicians often encounter challenges such as ensuring proper compatibility between the VSD and the motor, configuring control parameters accurately, and minimizing electrical noise interference. To address these, technicians should carefully review manufacturer specifications, follow recommended wiring and grounding practices, and perform thorough testing before commissioning. Collaboration with engineers and maintenance teams also helps in troubleshooting and optimizing system performance.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Variable Speed Drive Technician, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Variable Speed Drive Technician, you need a solid understanding of electrical systems, motor controls, and troubleshooting, typically supported by a technical diploma or equivalent experience in industrial automation. Familiarity with programming software for drives, use of diagnostic tools, and relevant certifications like those from Siemens or Rockwell Automation are commonly required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication help technicians work safely and efficiently with clients and teams. These skills are crucial for ensuring reliable equipment operation, minimizing downtime, and supporting industrial productivity.

What is a Variable Speed Drive?

A Variable Speed Drive (VSD) is an electronic device used to control the speed and torque of electric motors by regulating the power supplied to them. VSDs help improve energy efficiency, process control, and reduce mechanical stress on motor-driven systems. They are commonly used in industries like manufacturing, HVAC, and water treatment to optimize motor performance and lower energy consumption. By adjusting the motor speed to match demand, VSDs can lead to significant cost savings and longer equipment life.
More about Variable Speed Drive jobs
What job categories do people searching Variable Speed Drive jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Variable Speed Drive jobs are:
Variable Speed Drive jobs near you
Infographic showing various Variable Speed Drive job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 27% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $35,967 per year, or $17.3 per hour.
Senior Power Electronics Engineer (onsite)

Senior Power Electronics Engineer (onsite)

Johnson Controls

New Freedom, PA • On-site

$80K - $135K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 23 days ago

Johnson Controls rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 398 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

131st of 527 rated manufacturers

Job description

About Johnson Controls
Johnson Controls, a global leader in thermal management, mission-critical building systems, energy efficiency, and decarbonization, helps customers use energy more productively, reduce carbon emissions, and operate with the precision and resilience required in rapidly expanding industries such as data centers, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, advanced manufacturing, and higher education.
For more than 140 years, Johnson Controls has delivered performance where it really matters. Backed by advanced technology, lifecycle services and an industry-leading field organization, we elevate customer performance, turn goals into real-world results and help move society forward.
Visit johnsoncontrols.com for more information and follow @Johnsoncontrols on social platforms.
What you will do
Johnson Controls is seeking a talented Senior Power Electronics Engineer to join our Chillers product group. In this role, you will design, develop, test, and sustain printed circuit board (PCB) assemblies used in Variable Speed Drive (VSD) applications. You will be part of a collaborative team responsible for the full product lifecycle-from design and simulation through prototype development and reliability testing-ensuring solutions meet defined hardware requirements and perform as expected. This position is based onsite in New Freedom, PA; candidates must reside within commuting distance or be willing to relocate.
How you will do it
  • Develop and maintain main control board, which contains MCU, FPGA and other circuits, for VSD application.
  • Develop and maintain gate driver board and other PCBAs for VSD application.
  • Design of analog and digital interface circuits, development of power supply circuits and/or selection of power supplies.
  • Perform worst case circuit analysis and incorporation of appropriate reliability principles to ensure reliable operation over the environmental specifications.
  • Design and maintain PCBAs including both schematic and layout using design tools.
  • Independently conduct and apply cost analysis to feasibility studies on proposed designs or modifications to existing designs.
  • Provide guidance/support to product technical support team and PCBA manufacturing factories as needed to maintain existing and/or NPI products.
  • Integrate new and modify existing processes to cover all phases of the electronic development process.
  • Understanding and complying with quality policy, procedures and instructions to ensure product quality and customer satisfaction.

What you will need
Required
  • Bachelor's Electrical Engineer with 5+ years of professional power electronics engineering, or in lieu of experience, Master's degree
  • PCBA schematic design and experience with variable speed drives

Preferred
  • Familiarity with TI MCU
  • Familiarity with circuit design and layout tools
  • Familiarity with signal integrity tools
  • Experience with programmable logic

HIRING SALARY RANGE: $80,000 - $135,000 (Salary to be determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data.) This role offers a competitive Bonus plan that will take into account individual, group, and corporate performance. This position includes a competitive benefits package. The posted salary range reflects the target compensation for this role. However, we recognize that exceptional candidates may bring unique skills and experiences that exceed the typical profile. If you believe your background warrants consideration beyond the stated range, we encourage you to apply. To support an efficient and fair hiring process, we may use technology assisted tools, including artificial intelligence (AI), to help identify and evaluate candidates. All hiring decisions are ultimately made by human reviewers. For details, please visit the About Us tab on the Johnson Controls Careers site at https://jobs.johnsoncontrols.com/about-us
Johnson Controls International plc. is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a qualified individual with a disability or any other characteristic protected by law. To view more information about your equal opportunity and non-discrimination rights as a candidate, visit EEO is the Law. If you are an individual with a disability and you require an accommodation during the application process, please visit here.

What Johnson Controls employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Johnson Controls logo

About Johnson Controls

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Johnson Controls is a world leader in smart buildings, creating safe, healthy and sustainable spaces. For nearly 140 years, we’ve made buildings better and now we’re transforming them again with our award-winning digital technologies and services. We’re using artificial intelligence and data driven solutions to give you deeper insight into your building’s health, sustainability and performance. It’s changing the way we design, operate and maintain indoor environments and driving to a new era of autonomous buildings. We deliver the blueprint of the future for industries such as healthcare, schools, data centers, airports, stadiums, hotels, manufacturing and beyond through OpenBlue, our comprehensive suite of connected solutions. Johnson Controls offers the world’s largest portfolio of building technology, software and services. Supported by a team of more than 100,000 dedicated employees working across 150 countries, we’re helping customers achieve their sustainability goals and power their mission.

Industry

Machinery manufacturing, water transportation, public safety statistics centers and offices and manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Milwaukee, WI, US

View All Johnson Controls Jobs

Apply