Lead Test Engineer

Southern Staffing Group; Michigan City (ND); On-site; USD 96,000 - 117,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Staffing Group is seeking a Lead Test Engineer to own delivery on complex substation protection and controls projects. You will lead field teams, mentor technicians in protection theory, and act as the technical authority signing off testing before client submission.

You will also help grow the business by building client relationships and expanding the pipeline, combining hands-on P&C leadership with project management and people development.

Qualifications

• Experience in substation protection testing and commissioning.
• Proven leadership and mentoring abilities in field teams.
• Strong planning, communication, and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead field teams on complex protection projects and ensure safe, on-time delivery.
• Mentor technicians in protection theory and application and develop training plans.
• Manage project execution plans, man-hours, and client communication.
• Develop client relationships and expand the project pipeline.
• Review testing results for accuracy and sign off before client submission.

Skills

Substation protection

Field leadership

Protection testing

Client relations

Tools

Protection Suite

Test Universe

RTS

Job description

Lead Test Engineer

Compensation: $70 to $85 per hour, depending on experience and certification level

Travel Rotation: 19 days on, 10 days off

Industry: Electric utility testing, commissioning, and field engineering services

Employment Type: Direct hire, full time

About the Opportunity

Our client is a fast growing protection and controls firm serving the electric utility industry. Their work is relay and substation protection at its core: commissioning, testing, and energizing stations to utility standards across the country. The field team is built around deep P&C knowledge, disciplined human performance, and getting protection schemes right the first time.

The company is scaling hard. They are bringing on 50 relay technicians this year across the lead, senior, and junior levels, which means real room to grow and a clear path from the field into leadership. This is a people first organization that invests in its engineers through structured career development, education assistance, and a defined growth track. If you want to lead complex protection work while building toward the next level of your career, this is a strong home.

The Role

As a Lead Test Engineer, you will own project delivery on complex substation protection and controls work. You will lead field teams, mentor technicians in protection theory and application, and act as the technical authority who signs off on testing before it reaches the client. You will also help grow the business by building client relationships and expanding the pipeline. This role blends hands on P&C leadership with project management and people development.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Lead project teams in the field and keep work moving safely and on schedule.
• Mentor team members in protection theory and application and help build training plans for direct reports.
• Contribute to performance reviews and track each engineer's training progression.
• Develop and manage project execution plans, monitor man hours, and manage change.
• Maintain project forecasts and report man hours to the Project Manager.
• Build and nurture client relationships while expanding the client pipeline.

Technical Responsibilities

• Lead complex utility projects from planning through energization.
• Review testing results from team members for accuracy before submission.
• Develop and implement project execution plans, and create human performance and safety plans.
• Apply extensive knowledge of substation protection applications.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to find and resolve design errors or gaps, and confirm corrections are implemented.
• Ensure stations operate correctly and meet client specifications, standards, and industry requirements.

Hands-On Field Work

• Independently test relay protection elements.
• Verify CT and PT ratios, phasing, polarity, and single point grounds.
• Perform fundamental control circuitry tests independently.
• Confirm station phasing and equipment orientation.
• Review and navigate project drawing packages, including one line, three line, schematic, and wiring diagrams.
• Conduct power calculations as needed.
• Develop and execute client relay test routines using Protection Suite, Test Universe, RTS, and similar tools.
• Create protection isolation plans using human performance procedures and tools.
• Develop client specific commissioning plans and procedures.

What You Bring

• Deep technical knowledge of substation protection and controls, with strong hands-on relay testing experience.
• Proven leadership and mentorship skills, with effective people management.
• Strong organization and planning ability.
• Strong communication and active listening, plus financial aptitude on project man hours and forecasts.
• A questioning attitude, high standards, and real attention to detail.
• The ability to stay calm under pressure and adapt as field conditions change.
• Expertise in customer management and a genuine team mindset.

Utility vetting at the lead level is preferred but not required. NETA accreditation is not required for this role. We care about your protection and controls depth in the field, not which credential you carry.

Compensation and Schedule

Pay runs $70 to $85 per hour based on experience and certification. The travel rotation is 19 days on followed by 10 days off, so you get real recovery time between deployments.

The benefits package is built to match: medical, dental, and vision, short and long term disability, employer paid life with AD&D, plus voluntary life, accident, critical illness, and hospital coverage. On the financial and growth side, expect a 401(k) with employer match, education assistance, a clear path for advancement, and competitive paid time off including paid wellness days, holidays, and parental leave.