Manager - Testing & Commissioning - STATCOM Specialist

Larsen & Toubro; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 300,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

Larsen & Toubro in Saudi Arabia is seeking a Testing & Commissioning Manager – STATCOM Specialist to lead end-to-end commissioning and grid integration of STATCOM systems for renewable projects and substations.

You will oversee FAT, on-site commissioning, validation of voltage and reactive power control, interface with grid operators, prepare reports, and train O&M personnel on STATCOM operation and alarms.

Qualifications

• 12–15 years commissioning experience with STATCOM systems.
• OEM commissioning experience is highly desirable.
• IEC 61954 / IEC 62477-1 / IEC 61000 series knowledge is required.

Responsibilities

• Engineering review of STATCOM docs and provide input to the engineering team.
• Installation and pre- commissioning activities.
• Energization and functional commissioning.
• Coordinate stepwise energization and validate operating modes.
• Interface with grid operator during acceptance testing.
• Prepare commissioning and performance test reports.
• Train O&M personnel on STATCOM operation and alarms.

Skills

STATCOM systems experience

Grid testing

Troubleshooting

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor’s Degree – Electrical / Power Engineering

Job description

• Installation & Pre-Commissioning
• Conduct pre-commissioning checks: o Documentation & Readiness
• Insulation, grounding checks

Testing & Commissioning Manager – (STATCOM Specialist)

Position Overview

This position is responsible for end-to-end commissioning and grid integration of STATCOM systems installed for dynamic voltage support and reactive power management in renewable plants and substations across projects. The role ensures that STATCOMs operate reliably under dynamic grid conditions and meet utility acceptance, power quality and stability requirements.

Detailed Core Responsibilities

• Engineering Review
• Review of STATCOM system documentation and provide input to engineering team based on experience: o Power circuit diagrams, control philosophy, protection settings
  • Cooling, auxiliary power, and harmonic filter configuration
  • Substation protection schemes
  • PPC and SCADA systems
• Participating in FAT and control validation exercises
• Installation & Pre-Commissioning
• Verify installation quality of: o Voltage source converters (VSC)
  • Cooling systems (air / liquid)
  • Control and protection panels
• Conduct pre-commissioning checks: o Documentation & Readiness
  • Civil, Electrical, Mechanical completion verification
  • Auxiliary Power checks
  • Control & Protection System Readiness
  • Communication & PPC & SCADA integration
  • Safety & Interlock checks
  • Insulation, grounding checks
  • Grid interface readiness
• Energization & Functional Commissioning
• Coordinate stepwise energization: o Control power → Auxiliary systems → Converter power
• Validate STATCOM operating modes: o Voltage control
  • Reactive power control
  • PF control
• Validate interlocks and protection functions.
• Grid Compliance & Performance Tests
• Support and execution: o Dynamic reactive response tests
  • Step response and voltage recovery tests
  • Harmonic measurement and filtering verification
• Interface with grid operator during acceptance testing.
• Validate coordination with other reactive devices (inverters).
• Documentation & Handover
• Prepare commissioning and performance test reports.
• Support COD and reliability run.
• Train O&M personnel on STATCOM operation and alarms.
  

Testing, Commissioning & Troubleshooting

• Responsible for commissioning, dynamic performance testing, and grid-compliance validation of STATCOM systems in accordance with IEC 61954, IEC 62477-1, IEC 61000 series, IEC 61850, any other relevant standards.

Key Tests

• Converter functional tests and gating checks
• Protection system validation
• Harmonic performance measurement
• Cooling system performance under load

Key Troubleshooting Scope

• Converter trips due to grid disturbances
• Control instability or hunting
• Cooling failures cause deration
• Communication faults with PPC or SCADA
• Harmonic limit exceedances

Key Competencies & Skills

• In-depth knowledge of FACTS and power electronics.
• Understanding voltage stability and reactive power control.
• Experience with dynamic grid testing.
• Strong analytical and system-level troubleshooting ability.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree – Electrical / Power Engineering.
• 12–15 years commissioning experience with STATCOM systems.
• OEM commissioning experience is highly desirable.