Protection & Control (P&C) Relay Technician

Relay Technician / Protection & Control Technician / Relay Commissioning Engineer

Preferred Location: VA, WV, PA, MD, NC, SC, NJ, NY, OH

Job Description

Company Overview

We are seeking experienced professionals to join our team supporting critical electrical infrastructure projects across utility, industrial, and commercial sectors.

Position Summary

We are looking for skilled Relay Technicians / Protection & Control Technicians and Relay Commissioning Engineers with expertise in testing, commissioning, and maintaining protective relay systems and substation equipment. This role involves working on transmission and distribution projects ranging from 4.16kV to 500kV systems.

Key Responsibilities

Testing & Commissioning

• Install, program, test, and commission microprocessor-based and electromechanical protective relays (SEL, GE, ABB, Schweitzer, Cooper, etc.)
• Perform acceptance and maintenance testing of high, medium, and low voltage electrical equipment
• Conduct end-to-end relay testing using GPS timing and vector testing methods
• Test and commission circuit breakers, transformers, switchgear, RTUs, and SCADA systems
• Execute functional testing of protection schemes including differential, overcurrent, directional, breaker failure, bus protection, and line protection

Technical Expertise

• Read, interpret, and mark up AC/DC schematics, logic diagrams, and wiring drawings
• Perform CT/PT testing including ratio, polarity, excitation, and saturation testing
• Conduct transformer testing (power factor, turns ratio, insulation resistance)
• Test communication systems including fiber optics, power line carrier, serial, DNP3.0 protocols
• Utilize test equipment: Doble M4000/6150, Omicron, Megger, RTS, Protection Suite, ProTest software
• Program and integrate RTUs, Digital Fault Recorders, and SCADA systems

Project Execution

• Lead commissioning activities for greenfield and brownfield substation projects
• Provide contractor oversight and ensure adherence to work practices, safety standards, and project specifications
• Interface with clients, engineers, contractors, and utility personnel
• Prepare test reports, as-built drawings, and commissioning documentation
• Support energization activities and in-service testing

Compliance & Safety

• Ensure NERC, FERC, and NETA compliance requirements are met
• Follow OSHA, NFPA 70E, and company safety protocols
• Perform switching operations on transmission and distribution systems
• Conduct job safety briefings and risk assessments

Required Qualifications

Experience

• Minimum 5+ years of hands-on experience in relay testing and substation commissioning
• Extensive knowledge of protection schemes for transmission and distribution systems
• Experience with voltage levels ranging from 480V through 345kV (500kV preferred)
• Proven ability to read and interpret protection and control drawings

Technical Skills

• Proficiency with relay test sets (Doble, Omicron, Megger, RTS)
• Experience with SEL, GE Multilin, ABB, Schweitzer relay platforms
• Knowledge of SCADA systems, RTU programming, and communication protocols
• Familiarity with solid-state and electromechanical relay schemes