Commissioning and Substation Services Engineer

FirstEnergy; Phillipsburg (NJ); On-site; USD 85,680 - 174,960; Full time

Job summary

FirstEnergy is seeking an Engineer III/IV to perform field engineering and technical support for maintenance, construction, testing and commissioning of substations up to 500 kV. The role requires significant field work, collaboration with regional teams, and travel across the FirstEnergy system.

The candidate will design and review test plans, support commissioning, and provide problem‑solving in dynamic substation environments while upholding safety standards and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical, Civil or Mechanical Engineering from ABET‑accredited institution.
• FE certificate is preferred.
• Minimum 3 years engineering experience.
• Experience with substation equipment design, maintenance or testing.
• Familiarity with protection and control equipment is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a safe workplace in accordance with regulations and company practices.
• Commission new transmission substation equipment prior to release to operation.
• Develop check‑out guides, review tests and create energization plans.
• Provide onsite technical support during preventive and corrective maintenance.
• Assist in field design to correct minor design problems.
• Apply engineering knowledge to resolve field problems during installation and testing.
• Support development or modification of maintenance practices to address new tech.
• Audit maintenance paperwork and test results for regulatory completeness.
• Provide emergency technical support to support customer restoration.
• Participate in storm duties and hazard response.
• Travel throughout FirstEnergy system, including overnight stays.
• Collaborate with multi‑discipline teams to ensure project success.

Skills

Strong communication

Project management

Field engineering

Safety compliance

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Travel readiness

Mentoring technicians

Education

B.S. in Electrical Engineering

B.S. in Civil Engineering

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering

ABET‑accredited degree or PE license

FE certificate preferred

Tools

SEL protection & control

Enoserve RTS

Doble testing

Job description

FirstEnergy at a Glance

We are a forward‑thinking electric utility powered by a diverse team of employees committed to making customers’ lives brighter, the environment better and our communities stronger.

FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, FirstEnergy includes one of the nation’s largest investor‑owned electric systems, more than 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid‑Atlantic regions, and a regulated generating fleet with a total capacity of more than 3,500 megawatts.

Job Description

This is an open position with FirstEnergy Service Company, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. The selected candidate may be offered a position within the same job family, at a level that is lower than what was posted. This will be determined based on the results of the interview process, which considers the candidate’s skills, work history, experience level, and other relevant qualifications.

Potential office locations in NJ: Morristown, Hopatcong, East Hanover, Philipsburg.

FirstEnergy takes a market‑based approach to pay, which may vary depending on your location. In addition, your actual base salary will depend on various factors such as your skills, qualifications, and experience. The estimated pay range for this role is $85,680 – $174,960.

This position is to provide field engineering services and technical support for the maintenance, construction, testing and commissioning of substation equipment up to and including 500 kV. Equipment includes power transformers, circuit breakers, CCVTs, Cap Banks, SVCs, associated relay protection and control equipment, and SCADA systems. Maintenance and commissioning activities can be of either new or modifications to existing substations. The role requires significant time (90% or more) working outside of an office environment at various company and customer substation facilities and service centers. In addition to maintenance and commissioning activities, occasional technical support for regional substation activities may be required.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a safe workplace for coworkers and the community based on industry regulations, company practices, and hazard knowledge.
• Commission new transmission substation equipment prior to release to operation.
• Develop check‑out guides, review and approve test results and isolation plans, and create energization plans to minimize system risk.
• Provide limited field design services to correct minor design problems encountered during substation capital projects.
• Provide onsite technical support to regional substation services employees during preventive and corrective maintenance activities.
• Apply engineering skills and operational knowledge to identify and resolve technical problems in the field during installation, testing, and design life of equipment, including challenging and validating design approaches.
• Assist in developing new or modifying existing maintenance practices to address changing technology, new equipment types, improved testing methods, and regulatory changes.
• Audit preventive and corrective maintenance paperwork and test results to verify technical adequacy and regulatory completeness.
• Provide emergency technical support following equipment failures to support customer restoration and system reinforcement, including developing field modifications and commissioning mobile substations.
• Support emergency plans through participation in assigned storm duties and hazard response.
• Work independently and collaboratively with regional and plant personnel and outside vendors.
• Communicate across multi‑disciplined teams—including contractors, customers, switchmen, operations, design engineering, planning/protection, and project management—to ensure project success.
• Assist in performing apparent cause and root cause analyses, documenting findings in technical reports and presentations.
• Educate others on technical subjects and improve technical programs and processes.
• Support the development of corporate programs and policies; assist others tasked with leading organizational change.
• Assist senior technical staff in developing solutions to complex technical assignments.
• Support utilities operations and maintenance staff in meeting goals and deadlines.
• Produce results that have a direct, positive impact on the company.
• Consistently anticipate customer needs and deliver high‑quality results.
• Travel throughout the FirstEnergy system, including occasional overnight stays when necessary.

Qualifications – Engineer III

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical, Civil or Mechanical Engineering (BSEE, BSCE, BSME) from an ABET‑accredited institution is required. Acceptable alternatives include a Professional Engineer’s (PE) license, an ABET‑accredited Engineering Technology degree, or a non‑ABET degree plus an advanced engineering degree from an ABET institution. Civil Engineering is preferred.
• Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) certificate is preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of engineering experience.
• Experience in design, maintenance or testing of substation equipment is strongly considered. Familiarity with microprocessor‑based protection and control equipment is a plus.
• Experience with SEL products, Enoserve RTS, and Doble testing.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills.
• Commitment to FirstEnergy’s Safety Policies and the Accident Prevention Handbook.
• Understanding of FirstEnergy’s Manual of Operations.
• Ability to participate in after‑hours (evenings, weekends, holidays) callouts for emergencies.
• Leadership by example.
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects, work under pressure, adapt to changing scope, budget, and field challenges.
• Strong mechanical aptitude.
• Willingness to train and mentor technicians and other staff.
• Developed analytical and technical abilities.
• Ability to build effective working relationships at all levels.
• Must be able to drive projects to completion in the field with the regional substation workforce.
• Deliver quality, accurate work within established deadlines.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
• Must live within a 45‑minute commute of the assigned work location.

Qualifications – Engineer IV

• Requirements are the same as Engineer III; however, minimum of 5 years of engineering experience is required, or 7 years if holding an Engineering Technology degree.

Benefits, Compensation & Workforce Diversity

At FirstEnergy, employees are key to our success. We reward individual and team efforts through a total rewards philosophy that includes competitive pay plus incentive compensation, a company‑sponsored pension plan, 401(k) with employer match, and a choice of medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and life insurance programs. Skills development training with tuition reimbursement is provided. FirstEnergy proudly supports workforce diversity; all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability. No recruiters or agencies without a previously signed contract. We cannot sponsor or transfer H‑1B visas at this time.

Safety

Safety is a core value for FirstEnergy and is essential to all of our business activities. We provide employees with the tools, information, and processes to perform their duties safely for themselves, coworkers, customers, and the public. Our goal is to maintain an accident‑free, injury‑free workplace and promote public safety through world‑class standards.