Lead Substation 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 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.