Protection & Control Technician Lead

Protection & Control Technician Lead

Are you ready to play a critical role in maintaining the reliability of the regional power grid? Our company, a premier provider of utility support and engineering solutions, is seeking a skilled and safety-minded Protection & Control Technician Lead.

In this role, you will act as a key field asset supporting major electrical utility infrastructure by providing comprehensive technical oversight, documentation management, and specialized commissioning for protection and control systems. From advanced microprocessor-based relays to complex brownfield isolation plans, your technical expertise will directly ensure grid safety and integrity.

Key Responsibilities

• Technical Oversight & Field Leadership: Assist the Start-Up Coordinator and Commissioning Engineer with overall technical supervision; maintain active, hands-on involvement during complete testing and final field checkouts, and fully step in to lead field operations when the Start-Up Coordinator is off-site.


• Work Plan & Isolation Development: Author detailed Work Plans by collaborating with engineering, substation construction staff, and electricians to unify field tasks. Develop Protection Isolation Requests (Info Orders) and isolation procedures to safely remove infrastructure (relays, panels, battery systems, breakers, transformers, SSVTs, CCVTs, PTs, CTs, and Linear Couplers).


• Comprehensive Relay & Meter Testing: Execute complex acceptance and functional testing across microprocessor-based, solid-state, and electromechanical protective relays and power meters using Enoserve RTS and Doble Protection Suite. Manage As-Left settings files and manually calibrate legacy devices.


• Secondary & Ancillary Equipment Support: Test and operate specialty secondary devices including Transformer Calisto units, Transformer DRMCCs, and ABB Circuit Breaker Sentinels. Calibrate pilot channel equipment, including power line carriers, pilot wires, transfer trips, fiber optics, line tuners, and line traps.


• Schematic Verification & Field Wiring Support: Read blueprints and analyze transmission-level protection schemes to correct mis-operations. Provide field support to electricians, validating that physical substation wiring matches design drawings and redlines (As-Builts).


• Substation Systems & SCADA Checkout: Execute current/voltage loop checks, trip testing, panel point-to-point wiring verifications, and alarm validation. Coordinate and test substation SCADA systems, station annunciators, and data network communication devices.


• Compliance, Documentation & Mentoring: Compile and upload project files via ProjectWise to complete the final Project Work Binder. Manage Cascade documents, CIP lists, and equipment energization tracking. Provide technical instruction, guidance, and mentoring to field testing technicians.
  

Qualifications & Experience

Education & Training:

• Degree: Associate or Bachelor’s degree (preferred) in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, or Electrical Power & Controls.


• Experience Substitution: A proven track record of seven (7) years of applicable substation electrical testing experience may be substituted for the degree requirement.


• Certifications: Level 3 or 4 NETA or NICET Certification is required.

Technical Skills:

• Brownfield & Live Safety: Extensive track record performing testing and commissioning activities on reliability upgrades within energized "Brownfield" transmission stations and working safely around energized "in-service" high-voltage equipment.
  


• Software Proficiency: Advanced familiarity with manufacturer software including SEL Compass, AcSELerator Quickset (SEL-5030), GE (Enervista Launchpad), and RFL (GARD PRO).


• Industry Acumen: Advanced background in transmission-level protective relaying schemes, strong leadership capability, and absolute proficiency with electrical testing equipment/tools in a collaborative team environment.

Core Requirements:

• Valid state driver's license with a clean driving record.


• Willingness to travel to various client substation sites across the designated service territory.


• Availability to respond to emergency call-outs, storm restoration support, and occasional overtime as required.


• Strong analytical problem-solving skills and the ability to work effectively both independently and in team environments.

What We Offer

• Competitive hourly wage commensurate with experience.


• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance.


• 401(k) retirement savings plan with company matching contributions.


• Robust ongoing technical training and career advancement pathways.


• Paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays.

 All offers are conditioned on acceptable results from a background check and drug screening.