Protection & Controls Technician

ZipRecruiter; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking company as a Protection & Controls Technician, where you'll play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and functionality of electrical power stations. This position involves hands-on testing and maintenance of protective relays, requiring travel across various states. You'll work closely with a team of professionals, conducting critical testing and troubleshooting to support renewable energy projects. With a commitment to safety and excellence, this role offers the chance to make a significant impact in the growing solar industry while enjoying comprehensive benefits and opportunities for growth.

Benefits

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401k

Paid Time Off

Holidays

Tuition Reimbursement

Flexible Work Options

Qualifications

• 2+ years in electrical testing and inspection, focusing on high voltage.
• Hands-on experience with protective relays in substations.

Responsibilities

• Perform installation and maintenance of protective relaying equipment.
• Conduct function testing of substation control circuits.

Skills

Electrical Equipment Testing

Relay Testing

Troubleshooting

Communication Skills

Power Equipment Testing

Education

High School Diploma

Associate Degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Relay Test Software

Protective Relays (SEL, GE, ABB)

Job description

Blue Ridge Power is a full-service EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction) company for solar projects across the United States, offering integrated engineering, a qualified professional labor force, and an expansive fleet of equipment to serve the needs of our clients. Headquartered in Asheville, NC, with offices in Fayetteville, NC, and Lexington, SC. Blue Ridge Power has installed 8 GW of solar infrastructure throughout the country and employs about 700 team members. Learn more at blueridgepower.com.

Protection & Controls Technician

Blue Ridge Power (BRP) is seeking a Protection & Controls Technician to join our team! The Protection & Controls Technician performs electrical testing on relays in electrical power stations. Your duties involve using relay test sets to test different types of microprocessor relays inside electrical substations. This position is safety-sensitive.

This role requires 50-70% travel with per diem while on project sites, including but not limited to Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Oklahoma.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. for any employer; we cannot sponsor visas.

Responsibilities:

1. Perform installation, commissioning, testing, and maintenance of protective relaying equipment.
2. Conduct function testing of substation control circuits on relay panels, transformers, and circuit breakers.
3. Develop relay macros and testing routines, confirming protection and control design.
4. Perform relay testing using test software and analyze relay operation based on fault types.
5. Create standard procedures for commissioning, testing, and maintenance of protective relays.
6. Set and test protective relays (SEL, GE, ABB, etc.).
7. Review relay settings and logic equations for system operation compliance.
8. Develop isolation and restoration procedures for outages.
9. Lead safety briefings on-site.
10. Review and develop relay test plans per customer specifications.
11. Investigate electrical issues, including root cause analysis.
12. Calibrate and test electromechanical and microprocessor relays.
13. Act as on-site project lead, assigning tasks and interfacing with clients.
14. Interpret protection and control schematics and wiring diagrams, identifying discrepancies.
15. Determine customer requirements and deliver as-built prints and test results.
16. Understand manufacturer literature to facilitate testing.
17. Verify relay settings and logic against schematics and standards.
18. Review and comment on substation commissioning and energization plans.
19. Support engineering, construction, and operations teams with field information.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Over 2 years' experience in electrical equipment testing and inspection, including high voltage.
• Over 2 years' relay testing experience.
• Knowledge of power equipment testing, commissioning, and maintenance.
• Hands-on experience with protective relays in substations.
• Troubleshooting skills for distribution and transmission control circuits.
• Knowledge of relay test software.
• Experience with transformers, breakers, and switchgear.
• Excellent communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in utility-scale solar or renewables.

Education & Certifications:

• Valid driver’s license.
• High School Diploma; an associate degree in electrical engineering is preferred.

Work Environment & Physical Demands:

• 50-70% travel with per diem.
• Ability to work outdoors in all climates.
• Physical ability to lift up to 70 lbs, climb ladders, and stand for long periods.
• Must follow safety standards and OSHA requirements.

Blue Ridge Power offers comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, 401k, paid time off, holidays, training, tuition reimbursement, and flexible work options. We support local organizations and are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

We do not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party agencies.