Senior Relay Technician - Utility Substation Protection

Asplundh Electrical Testing; Twentynine Palms (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Retirement plan

Company-provided life insurance

Disability coverage

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Employee discounts

Job summary

Asplundh Electrical Testing is seeking a Senior Relay Technician to lead protective relay testing, calibration, and commissioning for medium- and high-voltage substations. You will guide field crews, support outage work, and ensure safety standards are upheld across projects.

Ideal candidates have 5+ years in protective relaying, HV testing, and strong knowledge of microprocessor-based relays. Travel to customer sites is required; be prepared for regional assignments.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in protective relaying for utility substations.
• Experience testing 5kV–500kV protection systems.
• Strong knowledge of microprocessor-based relays.
• Experience with modern relay test platforms.
• Ability to interpret protection diagrams, AC/DC schematics, and wiring/logic drawings.
• OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification preferred.
• NETA Level III or IV certification preferred.
• Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel to sites.

Responsibilities

• Lead job briefings and safety tailboards in the field.
• Perform protective relay testing, calibration, troubleshooting, and commissioning.
• Test and validate protection schemes: distance, differential, overcurrent, breaker failure, bus protection.
• Verify control circuits for transformers, breakers, feeders, capacitors, and reactors.
• Support outage planning, switching coordination, energization, and restoration.
• Lead and mentor onsite technicians; coordinate with project managers and utility customers.
• Create and maintain test reports and field documentation.
• Participate in job walks, project estimating, and customer discussions.
• Serve as a technical resource and trainer for developing relay technicians.

Skills

Protective relaying

HV protection testing

Microprocessor relays

Relay test platforms

Safety protocols

Schematics interpretation

Physical fitness / travel

Education

NETA Level III or IV Certification

Technical degree or military electrical training

OSHA 10 or OSHA 30

Valid driver’s license

Tools

Circuit breakers

Power transformers

Switchgear

RTUs & substation comms

Job description

Asplundh Electrical Testing is seeking a Senior Relay Technician to lead protective relay testing, calibration, and commissioning for medium- and high-voltage substations. You will guide field crews, support outage work, and ensure safety standards are upheld across projects.

Ideal candidates have 5+ years in protective relaying, HV testing, and strong knowledge of microprocessor-based relays. Travel to customer sites is required; be prepared for regional assignments.