Relay Specialist

Ellaway Blues Consulting; Kentucky; On-site; USD 103,320 - 123,984; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vehicle stipend

Job summary

Ellaway Blues Consulting seeks experienced Relay Testing Technicians to support long-term utility modernization programs across Ohio and Pennsylvania. This role focuses on relay testing, commissioning, and substation upgrades for a major investor-owned utility, offering stable, ongoing work.

You'll participate in protective relay testing, calibration, and commissioning, review diagrams, and document results while coordinating with engineers and field teams.

Qualifications

• Proven relay testing and commissioning experience in utility or substation environments.
• Strong knowledge of protective relays, P&C systems, and substation equipment.
• Experience on transmission or distribution substations.
• Ability to read electrical drawings and relay settings.
• Willingness to travel to Ohio and Pennsylvania.
• NETA certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform protective relay testing, calibration, and commissioning for substations.
• Test and commission switchgear, breakers, transformers, and protection/control systems.
• Support grid modernization and asset upgrade programs at substations.
• Document test results, generate reports, and support closeout documentation.
• Coordinate with utility personnel and project teams to energize assets.
• Maintain safety protocols on site.

Skills

Relay testing

Protection & control

Reading drawings

Travel flexibility

Education

NETA certification

Tools

Test equipment

Job description

We are seeking experienced Relay Testing Technicians to support long-term utility modernization programs across Ohio and Pennsylvania. This role is heavily focused on relay testing, commissioning, and substation upgrades, supporting major transmission and distribution initiatives for a large investor-owned utility. The program has been active for over a decade and continues to expand into additional distribution substations, offering long-term stability and consistent project flow.

This opportunity provides exposure to large-scale grid modernization efforts, access to experienced technical leadership, and the chance to work on some of the most critical transmission and distribution assets in the region.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform protective relay testing, calibration, and commissioning for transmission and distribution substations
• Test and commission switchgear, breakers, transformers, and protection & control systems
• Support large-scale grid modernization and asset upgrade programs across utility substations
• Execute functional testing, end-to-end testing, and troubleshooting of relay protection schemes
• Review drawings, relay settings, and protection documentation to ensure compliance with utility standards
• Participate in commissioning activities for newly installed or upgraded substation equipment
• Document test results, generate reports, and support closeout documentation
• Coordinate with utility personnel, engineers, and project teams to safely energize assets
• Maintain strict adherence to safety protocols, procedures, and site-specific requirements

Program Scope & Project Background

• Long-term involvement supporting a multi-billion-dollar transmission and distribution modernization effort
• Work includes 600+ transmission substations, with expanding scope into distribution substations
• Focused on upgrading aging infrastructure, improving system reliability, and integrating modern protection and control technologies
• Ongoing program evolution supporting grid resilience, clean energy integration, and advanced distribution technologies

Qualifications

• Proven experience in relay testing and commissioning within utility or substation environments
• Strong understanding of protective relays, P&C systems, and substation equipment
• Experience working on transmission and/or distribution substations
• Ability to read and interpret electrical drawings, schematics, and relay settings
• Familiarity with utility standards, commissioning procedures, and safety requirements
• Willingness to travel and work in Ohio and Pennsylvania
• NETA certification or experience working with NETA-certified testing organizations is strongly preferred
• Hourly Rate: $75–$90/hr (flexible based on experience)
• Vehicle Stipend: $1,000/month
• Relocation Package Available
• Long-term, stable program with consistent work and growth potential