About the Role:
Southwire is hiring an Underground Lineman to perform safe repair and rejuvenation of medium- to high-voltage underground cables using Novinium’s patented technologies. This is a hands-on, field role involving cable testing, splicing, switching, and repair under varying weather and site conditions.
Key Responsibilities:
Operate test equipment (TDR waveform, RF locators) to analyze cable paths, splice locations, and neutral corrosion
Prepare and inject underground residential distribution (URD) and feeder cables with rejuvenation fluids
Perform splicing, terminations, elbows, and other underground craftwork
Conduct cable switching and write switching orders
Operate company vehicles and bucket trucks as required
Maintain equipment, assist with project planning, and record daily work logs
Provide safe, professional service at customer sites
Requirements:
Experience as a Lineman (Class A, Class B, or First Class Power Lineman) or Cable Splicer with certification
Ability to read circuit maps; basic computer proficiency (MS Office)
Valid driver’s license and acceptable DMV record (CDL preferred)
Passport and ability to travel to Canada preferred
Physical requirement: Able to lift, push, pull, and carry at least 75 lbs for 300 feet; able to climb poles, kneel, and work in confined spaces with harnesses
Working Conditions:
Frequent travel
Exposure to seasonal weather
Long periods of standing, kneeling, or confined-space work
Compensation & Benefits:
Starting pay: $45 – $50 per hour
Southwire also provides competitive employee benefits, tuition reimbursement, and growth opportunities (per company standard offerings)
Would you take a physically demanding underground lineman job in Colorado for $45–50/hour, with travel, heavy lifting (75 lbs), and exposure to harsh outdoor conditions — or would the risks and demands keep you away?
I’d look at it if it’s $40–45/hr+ with OT, solid per diem, and hotels covered when you’re bouncing around Colorado. Underground’s no joke — fault locating, confined spaces, shoring — so I’d want their safety record and how many nights you’re actually gone each month. Do they pay standby or travel time?
I’d consider it if the pay and OT are solid and there’s real per diem for the travel — underground in CO winters and confined spaces is no joke. Is it union, and what’s the pay range and typical schedule/on-call?
Did a season on Novinium crews in Colorado - keep the injection resin warm or you’ll fight viscosity and miss cure times; we kept cartridges in the cab with a small 12V heater. Also bump-test your gas monitor before every vault - carbon monoxide spikes after a thaw can sneak up on you.
If you take it, bring a pop-up ice fishing tent and a small propane heater - making a warm bubble over the vault kept our shrink sleeves and resin cures on spec at 15°F. I also kept a little 12V transfer pump onboard to dewater manholes fast when the vac truck was an hour out.
Link to view more job details or apply