Sr. Relay Technician

Electric Power Systems; Sioux Falls (SD); On-site; USD 85,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Pay

Career Development

Certifications incentives

Travel per diem

Referral bonuses

Tuition reimbursement

Health Insurance

Job summary

Electric Power Systems in Sioux Falls, SD seeks a Senior Relay Technician to lead protection and control testing, commissioning, and troubleshooting for substations and industrial facilities. You will guide field teams, ensure safe, reliable operation, and deliver complete project execution with strong customer interaction.

Responsibilities include analyzing protection schemes, hardware commissioning, relay settings validation, and documenting results.

Qualifications

• Pass a pre-employment drug screening per safety policy.
• Criminal background check clearance.
• Able to work overtime and travel out of town.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and safe driving record.
• Hands-on experience installing, maintaining, testing & repairing protective relays.
• Knowledge of relay test software.

Responsibilities

• Lead job site safety briefings and uphold safety culture.
• Analyze protection schemes for power circuits and systems.
• Perform installation, commissioning, testing, and functional testing of substation control circuits.
• Execute advanced end-to-end testing using relay test equipment and software.
• Read and validate protection schematics and configurations.
• Lead root cause analyses for relay trips and disturbances.
• Develop project execution plans, outage sequences, and energization plans.
• Coordinate resources and field activities for large projects.
• Prepare comprehensive reports and as-built documentation.
• Mentor Relay Technician I/II and junior engineers; interface with customers.

Skills

Relay testing

Relay protection

Relay test software

Driver's license

Pre-employment drug screen

Background check

Willing to travel

Overtime willingness

Education

Bachelor's or associate degree in electrical/electronic technology

5+ Years of Relevant Industry Experience

NETA III/IV Certified (preferred)

Tools

Relay test software

Protective relay test equipment

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.

EPS does not work with individual recruiters or third party recruiting agencies, and will not recognize claim to any unsolicited resumes or candidate information.

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