Protection & Control Commissioning Engineer

Hitachi, Ltd.; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Care

401(k) Plan

Family care and support

Work-life balance

Learning & development

Job summary

Hitachi Energy is seeking a P&C Commissioning Engineer to lead on-site testing and commissioning of Intelligent Electronic Devices for electrical substations. You will configure relays, validate GOOSE/MMS, and ensure interoperability across multi-vendor environments, while maintaining safety and quality standards.

You will collaborate with project managers and customers, document results, and contribute to design reviews and commissioning reports.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
• 3+ years in field testing and commissioning of protection and control systems.
• Professional Engineering license or PMP certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform functional and acceptance testing of IEDs per IEC 61850.
• Configure relay settings and communication parameters.
• Document test results and ensure compliance with standards.
• Integrate IEDs with MicroSCADA systems and validate SCL files.
• Support cybersecurity, HSE, and project documentation.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Willingness to travel

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

OMICRON CMC

DOBLE test equipment

DIGSI

AcSELerator

MicroSCADA integration

IEC 61850 engineering

Job description

Job Description

The Opportunity

The P&C Commissioning Engineer is responsible for on-site testing and commissioning of Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs) and associated protection and control systems for electrical substations. This role involves installation supervision, testing, and commissioning of advanced digital systems, ensuring compliance with standards, safety, and project timelines. The P&C Field Engineer collaborates with project managers, customers, and technical teams to deliver reliable and high-quality solutions.

How you'll make an impact:

Commissioning & Testing

• Perform functional and acceptance testing of IEDs (protection relays, bay controllers, merging units) according to IEC 61850 standards.
• Configure and validate relay settings, logic, and communication parameters.
• Conduct GOOSE messaging and MMS verification for interoperability.
• Execute end-to-end testing of protection schemes using OMICRON CMC or equivalent tools.
• Validate time synchronization (SNTP/PTP) and redundancy schemes for IED networks.
• Document all IED test results and maintain compliance with customer and regulatory requirements.

Integration & Configuration

• Integrate IEDs with MicroSCADA systems: Perform signal mapping, database configuration, and HMI validation to ensure accurate visualization and control.
• IEC 61850 Engineering: Validate Substation Configuration Language (SCL) files, including ICD, CID, and SCD, and ensure proper GOOSE and MMS communication between devices.
• Communication Protocols: Verify and troubleshoot interoperability for Modbus, DNP3, and IEC 61850 protocols across multi-vendor environments.
• Network Configuration: Set up and test Ethernet switches, VLANs, and redundancy schemes (PRP/HSR) for substation automation networks.
• Cybersecurity Compliance: Implement and verify secure access, password policies, and firewall settings in accordance with Hitachi Energy standards.
• System Performance Validation: Conduct end-to-end testing of SCADA integration, including alarms, events, and control commands, ensuring seamless operation between IEDs and MicroSCADA.

Documentation & Reporting

• Prepare commissioning reports, detailed test records, and as-built documentation for customer approval and internal archives.
• Maintain accurate logs of system configurations, parameter changes, and firmware updates for all IEDs and associated equipment.
• Ensure documentation complies with Hitachi Energy standards, IEC 61850 engineering guidelines, and project-specific requirements.
• Provide clear and organized records to support operational learning and future maintenance activities.
• Identify and document any non-conformances during installation, testing, or commissioning activities.
• Prepare Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs) detailing the issue, root cause, and corrective actions.
• Communicate NCRs promptly to project managers and quality teams for resolution.
• Track and verify implementation of corrective actions before project close-out.
• Ensure NCR documentation aligns with Hitachi Energy quality management processes and customer requirements.

Customer & Team Collaboration

• Work closely with project managers, engineers, and customers during commissioning phases.
• Provide technical support and training to customers and site personnel.
• Participate in meetings to discuss commissioning progress and resolve issues.

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure all commissioning activities comply with company HSE policies and site safety requirements.
• Promote a culture of safety and integrity during on-site work.

Your Background:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in field testing and commissioning of protection and control systems.

Expertise in IED testing and configuration from major manufacturers:

• Strong knowledge of Hitachi ABB: REC670, REL670, REF615, RET670, and MicroSCADA integration.
• Experience with Siemens: SIPROTEC series (e.g., 5 series relays), DIGSI configuration tools.
• SEL (Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories): SEL-351, SEL-421, SEL-751, and AcSELerator software.
• Hands‑on experience with advanced test equipment (OMICRON CMC, DOBLE) for secondary injection and end‑to‑end testing.
• Familiarity with SCADA integration, communication protocols (Modbus, DNP3, IEC 61850), and Ethernet network configuration (PRP/HSR).
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to travel extensively within the assigned zone.
• Professional Engineering license or PMP certification preferred.

We pride ourselves on offering a holistic range of competitive benefits to support your financial, physical and mental wellbeing and personal development. We want you to truly thrive with us, in work and out.

For this role, depending on grade and experience, we offer the following employee benefits (subject to the respective plan rules):

• Health Care (medical, dental, vision, etc.)
• Financial Wellbeing: (Employer sponsored pension - 401(k) Program with generous company match and contribution, Life/AD&D Insurance, disability insurance)
• Family Care: Life and Family (Legal, pet, auto, home, identity theft, etc.), special needs support, and adoption assistance
• Work-Life: Enhanced leave programs (FMLA, Military Service Leave, Maternal, Paternal, adoption, vacation, and holiday)
• Employee Engagement and Development: Employee Resource Groups (depending on location), tuition reimbursement program, on-demand learning platforms

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)-Females/Minorities/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

Protected veterans and qualified individuals with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access the Hitachi Energy career site as a result of your disability. You may request reasonable accommodations by completing a general inquiry form on our website. Please include your contact information and specific details about your required accommodation to support you during the job application process.

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Use of Al and automated tools in recruitment

As part of our recruitment process, Hitachi Energy uses digital and automated tools, including Al-supported solutions, to assist with activities such as application screening, job matching, and interview scheduling. These tools are designed to support our recruiters and do not replace human decision-making. Candidate data is processed in accordance with applicable data protection and employment laws as well as Hitachis Global Data Privacy Notice.