Protection & Control (P&C) Commissiong Engineer

Hitachi Vantara Corporation; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care

401(k) with company match

Life/AD&D Insurance

Disability insurance

Family Care support

Enhanced leave programs

Tuition reimbursement

On-demand learning

Job summary

Hitachi Energy seeks an experienced P&C Commissioning Engineer to lead on-site testing and commissioning of IEDs and protection systems at substations. You will configure relays, validate communications, and document results for customer acceptance.

You will work with project teams to ensure safety, quality and adherence to schedules, employing advanced test tools and rigorous reporting throughout the project lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field required.
• 3+ years of field testing and commissioning experience for protection and control systems.
• Strong knowledge of IEC 61850, Modbus, DNP3 and Ethernet networking.

Responsibilities

• Perform on-site testing and commissioning of IEDs (protection relays, bay controllers, merging units) per IEC 61850.
• Configure relay settings, logic, and communication parameters; validate GOOSE/MMS.
• Document test results, prepare commissioning reports and NCRs.
• Coordinate with project managers, customers and technical teams during commissioning.
• Ensure safety, regulatory compliance and Hitachi Energy standards during fieldwork.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Travel readiness

On-site testing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Professional Engineering license or PMP certification preferred

Tools

OMICRON CMC

DOBLE test equipment

Siemens DIGSI tools

SEL AcSELerator

SIPROTEC configuration tools

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.

More About Us:

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

Hitachi is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, including females, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities.

Accessibility and reasonable accommodation

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.

This accommodation channel is solely for job seekers with disabilities requiring accessibility assistance or an accommodation in the job application process. Messages left for other purposes will not receive a response.

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 Hitachi's Global Data Privacy Notice.