Senior P&C Test Engineer - Substation Protection

POWERX; Kalamazoo (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Pay

Incentives for Certifications

Referral Bonus Program

Tuition Reimbursement

Medical, dental, vision, LTD, STD, and

401k program with a company match

Performance Program

Paid Parental Leave

PTO including Wellness Days and Paid-H

Job summary

POWERX is seeking a P&C Senior Test Engineer to independently execute testing, commissioning, and validation across substations up to 765 kV. You will apply system‑level protection knowledge, interpret relay logic, and mentor junior engineers while supporting greenfield and brownfield projects.

You will develop test plans, validate protection schemes, and ensure compliance with utility standards and client requirements on complex configurations. Leadership development and safety are emphasized.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2+ years of experience in high‑voltage Protection & Control testing and commissioning.
• Experience commissioning substations from 12.5kV through 765kV preferred.
• Experience with SEL, GE, ABB, Siemens, Westinghouse, or equivalent relay platforms.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Electrical Technology, or an Associate degree in Electrical Technology or related field experience preferred.
• OSHA 30 certification preferred.
• Knowledge of NEC and OSHA Electrical Safe Work Practices is preferred.
• First Aid / CPR certification preferred.
• Familiarity with NERC CIP requirements preferred.

Responsibilities

• Independently execute relay protection testing using Doble, Omicron, RTS, SEL AcSELerator, GE Enervista, and equivalent testing platforms.
• Test and validate protection elements including line, transformer, bus, feeder, breaker failure, reclosing, and transfer trip schemes under Lead oversight on complex configurations.
• Perform and validate CT/PT testing including ratio, polarity, phas­ing, saturation characteristics, and single‑point grounding verification independently.
• Execute complete relay input/output testing, analog-to-digital metering checks, and individual element pickup and timing tests with accurate pass/fail determination.
• Interpret relay logic, phasors, event reports, and oscillography to identify abnormal conditions and communicate findings clearly to the Lead.
• Apply working knowledge of AC/DC power system fundamentals and complex power calculations, symmetrical components and relay element operation, protection zones and coordination philosophy, instrument transformer behavior and application, and overcurrent/differential/impedance/breaker failure protection applications.
• Read, interpret, and navigate one-lines, three-lines, schematics, wiring diagrams, logic diagrams, cable schedules, and panel layouts with ease.
• Identify station phasing and equipment orientation from any location in the substation.
• Support switching activities and outage coordination independently; prepare projects through final pre‑energization readiness with Lead oversight required prior to actual energization.
• Treat every testing scope as a system validation exercise, not an isolated component check.
• Actively study complex protection schemes, SCADA integration, IEC 61850 / GOOSE communications, and advanced relay platforms to build the system‑level knowledge required at the Lead level.
• Seek exposure to project coordination, energization planning, and scope management under Lead mentorship to prepare for full project ownership.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of Protection and Control procedures and field standards.

Skills

Protection testing

System-level understanding

Relay logic interpretation

Outage coordination

Mentorship

Safety culture

Documentation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Electrical Technology

Tools

Doble

Omicron

RTS

SEL AcSELerator

GE Enervista

Job description

POWERX is seeking a P&C Senior Test Engineer to independently execute testing, commissioning, and validation across substations up to 765 kV. You will apply system‑level protection knowledge, interpret relay logic, and mentor junior engineers while supporting greenfield and brownfield projects.

You will develop test plans, validate protection schemes, and ensure compliance with utility standards and client requirements on complex configurations. Leadership development and safety are emphasized.