Lead Commissioning Engineer

Wunderlich-Malec Engineering; Roseville (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

Wunderlich‑Malec Engineering in Roseville, CA is seeking a Lead Commissioning Engineer to oversee testing and commissioning of substation and generation station equipment, including protection relays and transformers.

The ideal candidate has 8–20+ years of experience, strong leadership, and the ability to train technicians while coordinating with clients and field crews. Travel up to 50% and NICET certification eligibility are preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering (electrical, mechanical, or engineering technology) preferred.
• 8–20+ years testing & commissioning experience.
• In-depth understanding of three‑phase power systems.
• In-depth understanding of protection and control schemes and implementation.
• In-depth experience utilizing relay test sets with various relay vendors including SEL, GE, Beckwith, ABB, Basler, etc.
• In-depth understanding of equipment testing – circuit breakers, transformers, circuit switchers, MOABS, CTs, PTs, batteries & chargers, transfer switches, line tuners, wave traps, carrier relays, etc.
• Experience leading crews to test and commission new and modified substations, including equipment isolation/restoration and complex circuit cutovers.
• Travel up to 50%.
• Valid driver’s license.
• NICET certification or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Review specifications and drawings to understand the purpose and functionality of substation; identify and resolve design errors.
• Manage and schedule the installation and commissioning with subcontractors, personnel, and customer.
• Provide safety analysis and proper equipment isolation procedure.
• Provide a day‑to‑day outage plan for customers.
• Develop detailed test procedures and sign‑off sheets for each piece of equipment.
• Monitor construction and be available to address technical questions during construction, installation and testing.
• Demonstrate ability to service newly designed and experimental equipment, instilling confidence in the customer.
• Assist field crews and dispatch in developing switching to properly sequence equipment.
• Directly witness or perform critical tests such as DC Functional Trip Testing prior to energization and in‑service.
• Direct crews during final commission and energization.
• Acknowledge substation modification is complete and functional, handing over to Dispatch.
• Support several capital projects; rotate among jobs and monitor progress.
• Work extended hours at a job site near project completion when testing and energization are near.
• Develop and maintain relationships with customers and provide excellent service and sales ability.
• Develop estimates for client proposals and business development.
• Understand diagrams and drawings for system operation and testing requirements.
• Develop standard testing documentation and training procedures; obtain NICET certification.

Skills

Team leadership

Communication skills

Problem solving

Project management

Budget management

Independent work

Technical leadership

Negotiation skills

Time management

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

Relay test equipment

SCADA

RTU testing tools

Job description

Wunderlich‑Malec Engineering (WM) is a 100% employee‑owned ESOP and one of the largest and most well‑established engineering companies in the United States. When you join WM you become part of a company that is:

• 100% employee‑owned with 40+ years of industry history
• ENR (Engineering News Record) Top 500 firm
• Rated as a top System Integrator Giant

We have a Lead Commissioning Engineer opportunity available in Roseville, CA. The Lead Commissioning/Testing Engineer will be responsible for testing and commissioning Transmission and Distribution substations additions or modifications; ensuring they are installed, function, and are energized correctly. The position leads the testing and commissioning of electrical equipment within substations or generator plants, performing and directing all aspects of electrical testing including protection relays, circuit breakers, transformers and other substation equipment. Lead Engineer is responsible for training new engineers/technicians in relay testing, equipment testing and substation commissioning.

Major Responsibilities

This position requires the Commissioning Engineer to provide testing and commissioning services along with engineering to the Utility Substation and Generation Stations. Responsibilities include:

• Review specifications and engineering drawings to understand the purpose and functionality of substation; identify and resolve design errors.
• Manage and schedule the installation and commissioning with subcontractors, personnel, and customer in accordance with project requirements.
• Provide safety analysis and proper equipment isolation procedure.
• Provide a day‑to‑day outage plan for customers.
• Develop detailed test procedures and sign‑off sheets for each piece of equipment.
• Monitor construction and be available to address technical questions as they arise during construction, installation and testing.
• Demonstrate ability to service newly designed and experimental equipment, instilling confidence in the customer.
• Assist field crews and dispatch in developing switching to properly sequence equipment, ensuring hold points for testing are incorporated.
• Directly witness or perform critical tests such as DC Functional Trip Testing prior to energization and in‑service.
• Direct crews as necessary during critical work junctures, typically during final commission, just prior to and through initial energization.
• Acknowledge substation modification is complete and functional, formally handing it over to Dispatch for operation within design limits.
• Support several capital projects occurring simultaneously; rotate among jobs, keeping abreast of construction activities, reviewing test results, and monitoring work to anticipate problems and gauge technical involvement.
• Work extended hours/days at a particular job site near project completion when equipment is ready for control scheme testing and energization.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with customers, demonstrating awareness of customer needs, preferences, and constraints.
• Provide customer service, sales ability, and the ability to handle difficult customers and meet their satisfaction.
• Support the development of estimates for client proposals and further business development.
• Understand AC and DC elementary diagrams, wiring diagrams and one‑line drawings for system operation and testing requirements.
• Develop standard testing documentation, training procedures, and maintain all project documentation including certifications and calibration records; candidate should be able to obtain NICET certification or equivalent.
• Apply programming and testing for protection relays from GE, SEL, ALSTOM, SCHNEIDER, SIEMENS, and ABB; develop programming macros for automated relay testing.

Ideal Candidate Qualifications

• Proven ability to motivate, mentor, and optimize in a collaborative, team‑oriented environment.
• Goal oriented and focused.
• Strong drive, energy, enthusiasm, and proactive style.
• Experience managing technical projects of various sizes.
• Excellent written and oral communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent negotiation, influence, mediation, and conflict management skills.
• Proven problem‑solving and decision‑making ability.
• Strong organizational, multi‑tasking, and time‑management skills.
• Strong budget management skills.
• Diverse skill set with the ability to work independently; act as technical lead on projects and guide less experienced engineers/technicians. May also act as Commissioning Engineer on projects.

Job Requirements

Education A Bachelor's degree in engineering (electrical, mechanical, or engineering technology) from an accredited institution is preferred.

Experience A minimum of 8‑20+ years testing & commissioning experience, including:

• In‑depth understanding of three‑phase power systems.
• In‑depth understanding of protection and control schemes and implementation.
• In‑depth experience utilizing relay test sets with various relay vendors including SEL, GE, Beckwith, ABB, Basler, etc., and manufacturers of electromechanical relays.
• In‑depth understanding of equipment testing – circuit breakers, transformers, circuit switchers, MOABS, CTs, PTs, batteries & chargers, transfer switches, line tuners, wave traps, carrier relays, etc.
• In‑depth experience executing in‑service power measurements (load checks).
• Experience leading crews to test and commission new and modified substations, including equipment isolation/restoration and complex circuit cutovers while mitigating inadvertent operations.
• Experience with rotating machinery, including generators and excitation systems.
• Experience testing previously programmed RTUs locally and remotely for system operators.
• Experience with SCADA, RTU, and DFR systems.

Travel Ability to travel a minimum of 50%.

Driver's License Must possess and maintain a valid and unrestricted driver's license.

Physical Demands Seeing, color perception, hearing, listening, clear speech, dexterity in hands, driving, lifting, climbing, ability to mount and dismount equipment, pushing, and pulling, exposure to warm and cold temperatures, sun exposure, moisture, potential exposure to hazardous materials and electrical voltages.

Working Conditions Standard office work; work‑from‑home; in‑field leadership. On‑site environment may require work in various temperature conditions, around moisture, on slippery and uneven surfaces, in confined spaces, and at heights. Frequent standing, driving a 4‑wheel drive vehicle, occasional bending, squatting, climbing, twisting, balancing, and reaching. Exposure to noise, vibrations, and chemicals. May require irregular or extended hours, being on call, and travel for project completion.

Job descriptions are not exhaustive lists of all skills, responsibilities, or efforts associated with a job. They reflect principal job elements essential for performing the job and evaluating performance.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Basic and Supplemental Life and AD&D
• Long Term Disability
• Voluntary Short Term Disability
• Healthcare & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Account
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Referral Bonus Program
• 401(k)/Profit Sharing
• 100% ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Will Preparation Resources
• Worldwide Travel Assistance

Salary Range The expected salary range is $140,000 – $185,000 annually depending on qualifications, plus a discretionary bonus and employee stock program.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.