Sr. Relay Technician

Electric Power Systems; Albert Lea (MN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Pay

Career Path Planning

Certifications incentives

Tuition Reimbursement

Per Diem for Travel

Referral Bonuses

Instructor-Led Training

Job summary

Electric Power Systems (EPS) is seeking a Sr. Relay Technician to serve as technical lead for protection and control systems, overseeing testing, commissioning, troubleshooting, and full project execution on substation and industrial systems.

This role emphasizes safety leadership, customer interaction, and mentoring field personnel. Ideal candidates will bring deep experience with relay panels, transformer changes, circuit breaker work, and automated relay test equipment, with strong

Qualifications

• Pre-employment drug screen required.
• Background check required.
• Overtime and out-of-town travel may be required.
• Valid driver's license with safe driving record required.
• Hands-on experience installing, maintaining, testing & repairing protective relays in substation environments.
• Ability to troubleshoot distribution and transmission controls circuits.
• Knowledge of relay test software.

Responsibilities

• Lead safety briefings on job sites and enforce safety policies.
• Analyze protection schemes for power circuits and components.
• Install, commission, test, and perform functional tests on relay panels and related gear.
• Execute advanced end-to-end testing using relay test equipment and software.
• Read and validate protection schematics and system configurations.
• Calibrate and ensure performance of relays (electro-mechanical and microprocessor-based).
• Perform complex troubleshooting of protection, control, and communication systems.
• Lead root cause analyses for relay trips and disturbances.
• Develop project execution plans, commissioning procedures, and outage sequences.
• Coordinate resources and field activities for large-scale projects.
• Prepare and finalize reports including test results and relay settings verification.
• Ensure all deliverables (as-built drawings, documentation) meet standards.
• Mentor Relay Technician I–II and junior engineers; interface with customers and stakeholders.

Skills

Relay protection experience

Safety sensitive

Overtime & travel

Valid driver's license

Relay test software knowledge

Education

Electrical/Electronic technology degree or military/engineering degree

NETA III/IV Certification

Tools

Relay test software

Job description

Overview

Job Title: Sr. Relay Technician

About The Company:

Electric Power Systems (EPS) is a NETA-accredited independent electrical testing and engineering organization specializing in electrical acceptance testing, commissioning, and maintenance for clients across Data Centers, Utility, Generation, Renewables, Transit, Industrial and Commercial Facilities throughout North America. We are committed to safety, technical expertise, and setting the standard of excellence in the power industry.

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401(k) Savings Plan with Company Match
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and a Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Coverage
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Perks:

• Competitive Pay
• Talent Development – Instructor-Led Technical Courses and Online Learning
• Career Path Planning
• Incentives for Professional Certifications
• Competitive Per Diem for Travel
• Referral Bonuses
• Tuition Reimbursement

Position Summary:

The Senior Relay Technician serves as the technical lead for protection and control systems, responsible for advanced testing, commissioning, troubleshooting, and full project execution. This role requires deep expertise in analyzing protection schemes, managing complex projects, and leading field teams while ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient operation of substation and industrial (C&I) systems. The position also emphasizes customer interaction, team development, and technical leadership.

Responsibilities

Safety Leadership

• Lead job site safety briefings, proactively identifying, eliminating, or mitigating hazards.
• Enforce company safety policies and champion a strong safety culture across all field activities.
• Utilize Human Performance Error Reduction (HPE) tools to improve reliability and reduce risk.

Technical Expertise & Execution

• Analyze protection schemes for power circuits and other power system components, including transmission, distribution, and industrial systems.
• Perform installation, commissioning, testing, and functional testing of substation control circuits on relay panels, transformer change-outs, and circuit breaker replacements.
• Execute advanced end-to-end and functional testing using automated relay test equipment and software.
• Read, interpret, and validate protection and control schematics, logic diagrams, and system configurations.
• Ensure proper calibration and performance of electromechanical and microprocessor-based relays.

Troubleshooting & Analysis

• Perform complex troubleshooting of protection, control, and communication systems across a wide range of applications.
• Analyze event records, oscillography, and system data to make informed deductions and determine system performance or misoperations.
• Lead root cause analysis investigations for relay trips, failures, and system disturbances.

Project Leadership & Planning

• Develop project execution plans, commissioning procedures, outage sequences, and energization plans.

• Project manage large-scale and complex commissioning, retrofit, and maintenance projects.
• Coordinate resources, schedules, and field activities to ensure successful project completion.

Reporting & Deliverables

• Develop, review, and finalize comprehensive reports, including test results, relay settings verification, and system performance.

• Ensure completion of all project deliverables, including as-built drawings, relay settings validation, and commissioning documentation.

• Ensure all documentation meets customer and industry standards.

Team Development & Customer Interface

• Train and qualify Relay Technician I, II, and junior engineers in protection and control practices.
• Provide mentorship and technical leadership to field personnel.
• Interface directly with customers, utilities, and project stakeholders to communicate status, resolve issues, and meet expectations.

Qualifications

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Able to pass a pre-employment drug screen due to this being a safety sensitive position.
• Complete a satisfactory criminal background check.
• Able to work overtime and travel out of town for periods of time.
• Must have a valid driver's license and currently have and be able to maintain a safe driving record.
• Hands on experience installing, maintaining, testing & repairing protective relays in transmission, generation, or distribution level substations.
• Capable of trouble shooting distribution and transmission controls circuits.
• Knowledge of relay test software.

Preferred Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience installing, maintaining, testing, or repairing circuit breakers, transformers, switchgear, or similar equipment.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's or associate degree in electrical/Electronic technology, Military Experience, or 4-year Engineering Degree, preferred
• 5+ Years of Relevant Industry Experience
• NETA III/IV Certified, preferred

Physical Requirements:

• Able to climb ladders, stand for extended periods, able to lift 70 lbs.

EPS is an equal opportunity employer and gives consideration for employment to all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, disability, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and sexual orientation), political affiliation, military service, national origin, age or any other characteristics protected by state or federal laws.