Sr. Relay Technician

Electric Power Systems; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) Plan

HSA/FSA

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Tuition Reimbursement

Certification Incentives

Training & Development

Job summary

Electric Power Systems (EPS) is seeking a Senior Relay Technician to serve as the technical lead for protection and control systems. You will perform advanced testing, commissioning, troubleshooting, and full project execution while guiding field teams and ensuring safe, reliable operation of substation and industrial systems.

You will also interface with customers, document test results, and mentor junior engineers, focusing on safety and technical excellence in every assignment.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience installing, maintaining, testing & repairing protective relays in transmission, generation, or distribution substations.
• Ability to lead field teams and manage complex protection and control projects.
• Willingness to travel and work overtime as required.
• Valid driver's license and safe driving record.

Responsibilities

• Lead job site safety briefings and enforce safety policies.
• Analyze protection schemes and perform commissioning/testing of relay panels and circuits.
• Execute end-to-end testing using relay test equipment and software.
• Read and validate protection and control schematics and configurations.
• Develop and finalize reports, drawings, and commissioning documentation.
• Mentor Relay Technician I/II and junior engineers; interface with customers and stakeholders.

Skills

Relay protection

Field testing

Troubleshooting

Team leadership

Safety leadership

Education

Bachelor's or Associate in Electrical/Electronic Technology

Military Experience

Engineering degree (4-year)

Tools

Relay test software

Substation equipment knowledge

Job description

About The Company

Ele ct ric Power Systems (EPS) is a NETA -accredited independent ele ct rical testing and engineering organization specializing in ele ct rical acce pt ance testing, commissioning, and maintenance for clients across Data Centers, Utility, Ge neration, 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 Covera ge
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Competitive Pay
• Talent Development – Instru ct or-Led Technical Courses and Online Learning
• Incentives for Professional Certifications
• Tuition Reimbursement

Perks

• Competitive Pay
• Talent Development – Instru ct or-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.

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 ass ociate degree in electr ical /Electronic technology, Military Experience, or 4-year Engineering Degree, preferred
• 5+ Years of Relevant Industry Experience
• NETA I II /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, ge nder identity and sexual orientation), political affiliation, military service, national origin, a ge or any other chara ct eristics prote ct ed by state or federal laws.