Senior Relay Test Technician

Tesco Automation Inc.; Indiana (PA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Tesco Automation Inc. seeks a Senior Relay Test Technician to test, commission and prove PAC philosophies, protection schemes, and application logic in the field and factory. The role emphasizes Omicron and Doble test equipment and leadership of junior technicians.

Responsibilities include FAT/SAT support, end-to-end testing, safety discipline, and North America travel to client sites, with preferred NETA CET or equivalent credentials.

Qualifications

• Diploma or equivalent technical qualification in electrical engineering technology, power systems, or a closely related discipline.
• Senior-level experience testing and commissioning protective relays and PAC schemes.
• Ability to interpret PAC philosophies, logic diagrams, schematics, and settings files.
• Strong safety discipline and ability to work independently on energized or outage-constrained sites.
• Already legally eligible to work in the USA and/or Canada.

Responsibilities

• Test and commission protection, automation, and control schemes against PAC philosophies.
• Functional testing of protective relays and PAC logic.
• Execute relay and scheme testing using Omicron and Doble test sets.
• Support FAT, SAT, and site commissioning of protection IEDs, IEC 61850 applications.
• Verify interlocking, control sequences, trip logic, communications performance.
• Diagnose and resolve protection, wiring, and communications issues.
• Prepare test plans, reports, and punch-list documentation.
• Travel within North America to support factory testing, site commissioning, and outages.
• Mentor junior technicians and support IEC 61850 University training.

Skills

Relay testing

PAC schemes

Field commissioning

Test planning

Education

Electrical engineering technology diploma

Tools

Omicron test equipment

Doble test equipment

Multi-vendor protection platforms

Job description

Open to qualified applicants who are already legally eligible to work in Canada or the United States. Tesco Automation does not sponsor work permits or employment visas for this role.

About Tesco Automation

Tesco Automation is a system integrator and consultant specializing in IEC 61850 digital substations and protection, automation, and control (PAC) systems. We deliver multi-vendor integration, turnkey P&C solutions, commissioning, and hands‑on training for utilities, data centers, and industrial clients across North America.

Position Summary

We are hiring a Senior Relay Test Technician to test, commission, and prove PAC philosophies, protection schemes, and application logic in the field and at the factory. This is a senior, hands‑on role with a strong focus on Omicron and Doble test equipment. Candidates who hold NETA certification, CET designation, or equivalent credentials are strongly preferred.

Key Responsibilities

• Test and commission protection, automation, and control schemes against approved PAC philosophies, logic diagrams, and settings.
• Perform functional testing of protective relays and associated PAC logic for line, transformer, bus, feeder, and related applications.
• Execute relay and scheme testing using Omicron and Doble test sets, including pickup, timing, element, and end‑to‑end scheme tests.
• Support FAT, SAT, and site commissioning of protection IEDs, control circuits, and IEC 61850 applications (GOOSE, MMS, and Sampled Values as applicable).
• Verify interlocking, control sequences, trip logic, and communications performance against design intent.
• Diagnose and resolve protection, wiring, and communications issues during commissioning and in‑service testing.
• Prepare clear test plans, test records, as‑found/as‑left reports, and punch‑list documentation.
• Work with protection engineers, field crews, and clients to close out commissioning packages safely and on schedule.
• Mentor junior technicians and support Tesco’s IEC 61850 University training activities as needed.
• Travel within North America to support factory testing, site commissioning, and outage work.

Required Qualifications

• Diploma or equivalent technical qualification in electrical engineering technology, power systems, or a closely related discipline.
• Senior‑level experience testing and commissioning protective relays and PAC schemes.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret PAC philosophies, logic diagrams, schematics, and settings files—and to prove that logic in the field.
• Hands‑on proficiency with Omicron and/or Doble relay test equipment.
• Working knowledge of multi‑vendor protection platforms (Siemens, ABB/Hitachi, SEL, GE, Schneider, or similar).
• Strong safety discipline, documentation habits, and ability to work independently on energized or outage‑constrained sites.
• Already legally eligible to work in the USA and/or Canada.

Strongly Preferred

• NETA certification (Level III or IV preferred).
• Experience testing IEC 61850 schemes, including GOOSE and Sampled Values.
• Process bus / merging‑unit testing experience.
Additional credentials such as NICET, journeyman electrician, or manufacturer test‑set certifications.