Protection and Control Lead Test Engineer

Ellaway Blues Consulting; Town of Texas (WI); On-site; USD 96,000 - 131,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

$70-95/HR

Incentives for Certifications

Referral Bonus Program

Tuition Reimbursement

Medical, dental, vision

401k program

Performance Program

PTO including Wellness Days

Job summary

Ellaway Blues Consulting seeks a P&C Lead Test Engineer responsible for leading testing and commissioning of protection systems across substations. The role emphasizes technical leadership, operational validation, and mentoring of junior engineers.

Candidates must have high-voltage testing experience and a degree in Electrical Engineering. The role offers competitive pay of $70-95/HR and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of experience in high-voltage Protection & Control testing.
• Experience with SEL, GE, ABB, Siemens relay platforms is required.
• Knowledge of OSHA Electrical Safe Work Practices preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead testing, commissioning, and operational integration of protection systems.
• Mentor developing Test Engineers.
• Ensure compliance with utility standards and regulations.

Skills

High-voltage testing

Relay protection testing

Technical leadership

Safety compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Associate degree in Electrical Technology

Tools

Doble

Omicron

SEL AcSELerator

GE Enervista

Job description

Our client takes pride in being the premier provider of comprehensive power services, ensuring that power systems operate efficiently and reliably. Their commitment to quality and excellence is evident in their field services, engineering and consulting expertise, and adherence to certifications and regulations. Safety and performance are at the forefront of their integrated approach.

They are a people-first company, valuing integrity, respect, and teamwork. Their mission is to empower businesses by optimizing system performance, ensuring safety and compliance, and driving operational excellence with innovative solutions. They offer a dynamic environment where both experienced professionals and newcomers can grow, make an impact, and build a legacy.

PERKS

• $70-95/HR
• 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
• PTO including Wellness Days and Paid Holidays
• And much more!

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. This role serves as both a technical leader and field mentor ensuring electrical systems operate safely, reliably, and in accordance with utility standards and engineered design intent. The P&C Lead Test Engineer is expected to understand not only how to perform testing, but also why the system behaves the way it does. This includes understanding system topology, protection philosophy, sequence components, relay logic, AC/DC fundamentals, communications architecture, human performance principles, and the operational impact of testing decisions inside energized substations. This role confidently leads in high-pressure environments, mentors developing Test Engineers, communicates effectively with clients and operations personnel, and takes ownership of project execution from planning through energization and turnover. This position supports greenfield and brownfield commissioning projects involving relay protection systems, SCADA integration, IEC 61850 communications, RTUs, breaker controls, transformer protection, bus protection, line protection, and system restoration activities.

Technical Knowledge:

• Lead advanced testing, commissioning, troubleshooting, and operational validation activities across transmission, distribution, and generation 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 application, 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 500kV.
• 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 Analysis (JHAs)
• 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 (SOP’s).
• Review testing results for accuracy, completeness, and operational correctness prior to client turnover.
• 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:Maintain and promote a safety-first culture in all environments.

• 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.

Experience and Education:

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