Commissioning Engineer — Southeast

Ziggurat Automation Inc.; Charlotte (NC); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Ziggurat Automation Inc. is seeking a commissioning professional based in Charlotte, NC to manage the L1–L5 commissioning processes for multi-vendor protection systems. The successful candidate will oversee FAT and SAT procedures, ensuring compliance with NFPA 70E standards.

With a focus on the Southeast data center corridor, your role will involve regular travel for testing phases. You will handle punch-list management and establish effective working relationships with prime contractor teams. This presents a unique opportunity to contribute significantly to high-profile projects in a growing market.

Qualifications

• 5+ years commissioning experience on medium-voltage critical power systems (data centers, substations, industrial).
• Experience in FAT/SAT procedure development and execution for protection relays and generator controllers.
• Knowledge of NFPA 70E compliance including arc-flash PPE and LOTO procedures.

Responsibilities

• Own L1–L5 commissioning on multi-vendor protection systems.
• Manage punch-lists through closeout and owner acceptance.
• Conduct FAT/SAT test procedures and functional performance testing.

Skills

Commissioning experience

FAT/SAT procedure development

NFPA 70E compliance

Punch-list management

Transfer testing experience

Secondary injection testing

Education

5+ years in medium-voltage critical power systems

Tools

Omicron

Doble test sets

Job description

Commissioning & Field Execution

Location: Charlotte, NC (Field)

Compensation discussed during final conversation.

Why This Role Exists

The Southeast data center corridor — Virginia through Georgia — has the highest concentration of active hyperscale construction. Commissioning delays on these projects carry real safety‑and‑risk exposure, and flying engineers across the region create gaps that compound punch lists. You will own L1–L5 commissioning on multi‑vendor protection systems, design‑through‑acceptance, regionally anchored where project density demands consistent presence.

What You Own

• FAT/SAT/IST test procedures for protection relays, generator controllers, ATS, and SCADA systems
• Functional performance testing: protection scheme verification, trip coordination, interlock validation
• Staged commissioning planning: board‑by‑board or zone‑by‑zone cutover with deterministic rollback
• Transfer testing: open‑transition and closed‑transition sequences, retransfer with time delay
• Punch‑list management through closeout and owner acceptance
• Turnover packages: commissioning records, as‑built documentation, O&M manuals

Systems You’ll Touch

Vendor Platforms

• SEL
• Woodward
• Caterpillar
• Omicron
• Doble

Software Tools

• AcSELerator QuickSet
• AcSELerator RTAC

Standards

• NFPA 70E
• IEEE 1584

Test Phases

• Factory Acceptance Test (FAT)
• Site Acceptance Test (SAT)
• Secondary injection testing
• Functional performance testing
• Witness testing
• Staged commissioning / cutover

Site Activities

• Automatic mode transitions
• ATS control (open/closed transition)

What Success Looks Like

First 90 Days

• Completed commissioning or witness testing on at least one Southeast data center project
• Developed FAT or SAT test procedures for a protection relay or controller scope
• Established working relationships with at least one prime contractor commissioning team in the region

First 180 Days

• Leading commissioning execution on Southeast corridor projects — owning the full commissioning scope
• Independently conducting witness testing with owner representatives present
• Known contact for prime contractors in the Southeast region for P&C commissioning needs

Required Background

• 5+ years commissioning experience on medium‑voltage critical power systems (data centers, substations, industrial)
• FAT/SAT procedure development and execution for protection relays and generator controllers
• Secondary injection testing with Omicron or Doble test sets
• Transfer testing experience: ATS open/closed transition, generator paralleling, load bank testing
• NFPA 70E compliance: arc‑flash PPE, approach boundaries, LOTO procedures on energized equipment
• Punch‑list management and turnover documentation experience

Preferred Background

• NETA Level III or IV certification
• SEL relay commissioning (QuickSet, 751/700G families)
• Woodward generator controller commissioning (easYgen 3400, LS‑6)
• Experience working with AE/MEP/EPC prime contractors on data center projects
• Based in or willing to relocate to the Southeast (NC, VA, GA, TN, FL)

What to Expect in the Field

Travel 40–60% during commissioning phases. Regional focus — Southeast corridor (VA, NC, GA, TN, FL).

Site Hours: early starts, occasional weekends. More predictable schedule with regional focus vs. nationwide travel.

Customer‑Facing: direct interface with prime contractor commissioning leads and owner representatives. Regional relationships built over time.

Documentation: heavy — test procedures, commissioning records, punch lists, turnover packages.

Field Safety

• NFPA 70E compliance mandatory — arc‑flash PPE, approach boundaries, daily safety briefings

Why Ziggurat

• Regional focus means you build relationships with the primes building in the Southeast, not just pass through projects
• Commission what we designed — relay settings, automation logic, and coordination curves come from the same team
• Your field feedback improves the next design — direct loop between site reality and the engineering office
• Growing into the densest hyperscale construction corridor in the country