P&C Lead Test Engineer

POWERX; Tyler (TX); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Pay

Incentives for Certifications

401k program with a company match

Paid Parental Leave

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

POWERX in Tyler, Texas, is looking for a P&C Lead Test Engineer to lead testing, commissioning, and validation of protection and control systems. The role includes mentoring and ensuring safety and reliability in high-voltage environments.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and at least 3 years of experience in the field, capable of leading complex utility projects and maintaining client relations.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3+ years of experience in high-voltage Protection & Control testing and commissioning.
• Experience commissioning substations from 12.5 kV through 765 kV preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.

Responsibilities

• Lead advanced testing, commissioning, and operational validation activities across substations.
• Perform and oversee relay protection testing.
• Communicate project status and technical concerns with clients.

Skills

High-voltage Protection & Control testing

Technical leadership

Mentorship

Relay protection testing

Safety compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

OSHA 30 certification

Tools

Doble

Omicron

SEL AcSELerator

Job description

Job Summary

The P&C Lead Test Engineer is responsible for leading the testing, commissioning, validation, and operational integration of protection and control systems across transmission, distribution, and generation substations. The role serves as both a technical leader and field mentor, ensuring electrical systems operate safely, reliably, and in accordance with utility standards, engineered design intent, and POWERX commissioning philosophy. It involves understanding system topology, protection philosophy, relay logic, AC/DC fundamentals, communications architecture, and the operational impact of testing decisions within energized substations. The candidate will confidently lead high‑pressure environments, mentor developing Test Engineers, communicate effectively with clients, and take ownership of project execution from planning through energization and turnover.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None.

Duties/Responsibilities

Technical Knowledge

• Lead advanced testing, commissioning, troubleshooting, and operational validation activities across substations.
• Perform and oversee relay protection testing using Doble, Omicron, RTS, SEL AcSELerator, GE Enervista, and equivalent testing platforms.
• Validate complete protection and control systems including line, transformer, bus, feeder, breaker failure, reclosing, transfer trip, and communication‑assisted protection schemes.
• Execute end‑to‑end testing and operational verification of relay protection systems, SCADA, RTUs, IEC 61850 networks, GOOSE messaging, telecom systems, breaker controls, and station communications.
• Perform and validate CT/PT testing including ratio, polarity, phasing, CT saturation characteristics, and single‑point grounding verification.
• Interpret and troubleshoot relay logic, phasors, event reports, oscillography, sequence components, and fault behavior to identify abnormal system conditions and operational risks.
• Apply advanced understanding of AC/DC power system fundamentals, complex power and power factor, symmetrical components, protection zones and coordination philosophy, transmission line/transformer/bus and breaker failure protection, instrument transformer behavior, and system topology impacts on protection operation.
• Read, interpret, and validate one‑lines, three‑lines, schematics, wiring diagrams, logic diagrams, relay settings files, and panel layouts.
• Support switching activities, outage coordination, energization, restoration efforts, and operational turnover within energized substations up to 500 kV.
• Treat every testing scope as a system validation exercise, not an isolated component check.

Technical Leadership

• Lead complex utility commissioning projects while coordinating field execution with project management, engineering, construction, and client operations.
• Review engineered drawings, relay settings, logic diagrams, one‑lines, three‑lines, schematics, wiring diagrams, and panel layouts for technical accuracy and constructability.
• Identify design gaps, relay logic concerns, drawing inconsistencies, and operational risks before energization.
• Develop test plans, isolation plans, energization plans, commissioning procedures, Human Performance mitigation plans, and Job Hazard Analyses.
• Ensure all testing aligns with utility standards, NETA practices, IEEE guidance, and client‑specific commissioning requirements.
• Support development and continuous improvement of Protection & Control procedures and operational standards (SOPs).
• Review testing results for accuracy, completeness, and operational correctness prior to client turnover.

Leadership & Mentorship Expectations

• Lead crews with professionalism, accountability, and technical confidence.
• Mentor developing Test Engineers in both field execution and system understanding.
• Build an environment focused on learning, questioning attitude, and continuous improvement.
• Reinforce the understanding that protection systems must be tested as complete systems, not isolated components.
• Promote operational discipline, verification culture, and strong communication practices.
• Support workforce development through mentorship and training progression.
• Assist in evaluating technical competency, testing quality, and operational readiness, and in building future technical leaders within the organization.

Safety & Human Performance

• Strictly adhere to Lock Out / Tag Out (LOTO) procedures and switching boundaries.
• Utilize Human Performance Improvement (HPI) tools to minimize operational risk.
• Verify live‑dead‑live conditions and establish safe isolation boundaries.
• Lead daily safety discussions, JHA reviews, and pre‑job briefs.
• Maintain compliance with OSHA, NERC CIP, utility requirements, and internal standards.
• Support investigation and mitigation of operational or safety events when required.

Client & Operational Engagement

• Serve as the primary field technical interface between POWERX and the client.
• Communicate project status, technical concerns, schedule impacts, and operational risks clearly and professionally.
• Maintain strong client relationships through technical execution, responsiveness, and professionalism.
• Monitor project scope changes and communicate impacts to leadership.
• Support project forecasting, scheduling coordination, manpower planning, and execution strategy.
• Maintain accurate records of commissioning activities and test results; submit daily and final reports documenting on‑site activities.

Attributes/Abilities

• Must have a satisfactory background/MVR check.
• Must pass a pre‑employment, post‑accident, reasonable suspicion, and/or random drug test.
• Questioning attitude that drives a culture of verification across the crew.
• System‑level attention to detail; validates protection schemes as complete systems.
• Calm and decisive under high‑pressure conditions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Mentorship mindset; actively develops Test Engineers and senior Test Engineers.
• Customer‑focused mentality; builds and maintains strong client relationships.
• Organizational discipline; owns commissioning documentation and records.
• Strong planning and forecasting capability.
• Adaptability across greenfield and brownfield scopes, transmission, distribution, and generation substations, night and weekend outages, restoration events.
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Capable of effectively presenting technical information and responding to questions from diverse audiences.

Experience And Education

• Minimum 3+ years of experience in high‑voltage Protection & Control testing and commissioning.
• Experience with SEL, GE, ABB, Siemens, Westinghouse, or equivalent relay platforms.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field preferred; Associate degree in Electrical Technology also acceptable.
• Experience commissioning substations from 12.5 kV through 765 kV preferred.
• OSHA 30 certification preferred.
• Knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC) and OSHA Electrical Safe Work Practices preferred.
• First Aid / CPR certification preferred.
• Familiarity with NERC CIP requirements preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work safely around energized electrical equipment and mechanical hazards.
• Ability to work in operational substations and construction environments.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to travel as required.
• Ability to work overtime and outage schedules as necessary.
• Exposure to outdoor weather conditions, noise, vibration, heat, dust, oil, grease, and energized equipment environments.

Benefits

• Competitive Pay
• Incentives for Certifications
• Referral Bonus Program
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Medical, dental, vision, LTD, STD, Basic Life/AD&D, and other ancillary products
• 401k program with a company match
• Performance Program
• Paid Parental Leave
• PTO including Wellness Days and Paid Holidays
• And more

POWERX is an equal‑opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by law.