Sr. Relay Technician

Wind Energy Transmission Texas, LLC; Big Spring (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Irregular hours including weekends and holidays

Frequent travel within service area

Job summary

Wind Energy Transmission Texas, LLC is seeking a Senior Relay Technician in Big Spring, TX to manage maintenance, testing, and commissioning in high-voltage substations. The role demands extensive experience in substation equipment and a strong commitment to safety and compliance.

Responsibilities include overseeing installation, leading testing crews, and maintaining critical equipment. Candidates should have at least 10 years of experience and a solid grasp of electrical systems and relay logic.

Successful applicants will demonstrate technical expertise and readiness for irregular hours and travel as needed.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of work experience in substation protection and control maintenance.
• Proficient in SCADA protocols such as SEL Fast Message, MODBUS and DNP3.
• Ability to conduct activities safely and ensure regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Perform or oversee installation, maintenance, testing, and troubleshooting of relay equipment.
• Lead internal and contract crews during testing and commissioning activities.
• Maintain company vehicles, tools, and test equipment and prepare routine reports.

Skills

Substation protection and control maintenance

Familiarity with ERCOT nodal protocols

Experience with NERC compliance

Knowledge of substation equipment

Extensive experience with protection and control equipment

Ability to interpret electrical schematics

Education

High School Diploma

Associate or bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

Doble RTS

Protection Suite

Omicron Test Universe

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Position Overview

The Senior Relay Technician is directly responsible for executing facility maintenance, testing, and commissioning activities in high‑voltage transmission substations in the Big Spring, TX area, supporting work in the Midland, Big Spring, Dickens, and Gail areas. The role emphasizes Protection & Control (P&C) and protective relaying testing; extensive substation apparatus experience is also preferred. Technicians will perform system equipment repair, provide technical assistance, respond to system events, oversee contractors, and help train junior employees.

Duties, Functions, and Responsibilities

• Perform or oversee installation, maintenance, testing, troubleshooting, adjusting, wiring, repairs, and switching of relay and substation equipment.
• Perform SCADA checkouts and troubleshoot issues.
• Lead internal and contract crews in testing and commissioning activities.
• Conduct diagnostic testing and analyze results for protection and control systems and substation equipment.
• Occasionally operate equipment such as bucket trucks, aerial lifts, skid steers, and forklifts.
• Maintain company vehicles, tools, and test equipment.
• Prepare and verify routine reports.
• Champion compliance with WETT safety, reliability compliance, and environmental policies.
• Interface professionally with contractors, engineers, vendors, and other stakeholders.
• Assist in scheduling and planning routine and restorative work.
• Lead efforts to document work and compliance obligations in the work order program/asset database.
• Participate in an on‑call rotation.

Essential Knowledge, Skills, Experience, and Qualifications

• Education
  • High School Diploma required; Associate or bachelor’s degree in engineering or engineering technology is preferred but not required.
• Skills and Experience
  • Minimum 10 years of work experience in substation protection and control maintenance required.
  • Familiar with ERCOT nodal protocols and operating guides.
  • Experience with NERC compliance reporting and documentation requirements.
  • Experience with substation equipment (breakers, transformers, switches).
  • Extensive experience with protection and control equipment (SEL/GE relays, RTUs).
  • Knowledge of industry‑standard maintenance practices, applicable codes, and safety regulations.
  • Experience in commissioning activities/construction of high‑voltage stations.
  • Experience overseeing contractors and ensuring proper reporting and archiving.
  • Ability to ensure OSHA, EPA, and other regulatory compliance.
  • Experience with large power transformers and reactors.
  • Experience performing complex station switching.
  • Ability to take oil samples for DGA analysis and interpret results.
  • Curious attitude with a focus on safety.
  • Proficient in reading electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and relay logic.
  • Extensive knowledge of SEL and GE relay equipment, logic and software.
  • Proficiency with SCADA protocols such as SEL Fast Message, MODBUS and DNP3.
• Certificates & Licenses
  • Thermography Level I or II preferred.
  • Coursework or relevant training preferred (e.g., OSHA 30, NESC, NETA, SEL University).
• Computer Skills
  • Proficiency with test software (Doble RTS, Protection Suite, Omicron Test Universe).
  • Microsoft Office (Project, Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook).
• Competencies
  • Understanding of NERC CIP, PRC, and FAC standards.
  • Good communication using email, presentation, and verbal methods.
  • Organization of information, tasks, communications, and data.
  • Documentation and tracking of critical information.
  • Work and resource planning/scheduling.
  • Electrical schematic and control/protection circuit interpretation.
  • Understanding of AC/DC diagrams.
  • Understanding of protective relaying schemes and their applications.
  • Solid understanding of GE and SEL relay logic.
  • Understanding of RTU and SCADA systems.
  • Knowledge in test software such as Doble RTS and Protection Suite.
  • Understand DNP3, SEL Fast Message, Modbus protocols.
  • Ability to interpret equipment tests and results.
  • Ability to understand one‑line, three‑line AC/DC schemes, and connection diagrams.
  • Ability to use prints, manuals, test data to resolve system issues safely.
  • Ability to troubleshoot fiberoptic communication networks.
  • Understanding of instrument transformers.
  • Familiar with current, potential, and trip circuits.
  • Demonstrate understanding of relay setting logic and troubleshooting.
  • Working knowledge of IEEE, ANSI, ICEA, NESC, and NETA standards.
  • Ability to evaluate situations and apply proper PPE.
  • Ability to conduct activities safely and champion WETT’s safety culture by encouraging safe behavior.
  • Ability to ensure OSHA, EPA, and other regulatory compliance.

Physical Demands

Regularly required to stand, walk, use hands for handling or feeling, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Ability to work at heights and in confined spaces. Capable of lifting and moving heavy objects up to 50 pounds.

Weather Conditions

Exposure to various weather conditions including heat, cold, rain, and snow. Ability to work outdoors for extended periods, sometimes in harsh weather environments.

Work Environment

Exposure to loud noise levels, vibrations, and potentially hazardous materials. Ability to work outdoors for extended periods, sometimes in harsh weather environments.

Additional Information

Schedule: May require working irregular hours, including weekends and holidays, especially during emergency repairs.

Travel: Frequent travel within the service area; occasional overnight travel for training or planning may be required.