T&D Commissioning Manager - Grid

Sargent Lundy; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 145,000 - 222,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Plans

Paid Vacation

Paid Holidays

Parental Leave

401(k)

Tuition Assistance

Employee Discount

Daycare

Job summary

Sargent & Lundy in Chicago, IL is seeking an experienced professional to lead and oversee complex commissioning for high-voltage substations. The role blends field testing, design review, coordination with construction and operations, and ensuring safety and schedule adherence.

The ideal candidate has 15+ years in HV commissioning, strong knowledge of protection relays, and the ability to read detailed schematics. A hybrid office/field arrangement is available in Chicago.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of HV substation construction and commissioning experience.
• Familiar with microprocessor protection relays from ABB, AREVA, Siemens, SEL.
• Able to read AC/DC schematics and wiring diagrams for multiple protections.
• Proficient with MS Office applications.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee commissioning activities for substation projects, ensuring compliance with engineering and operational standards.
• Provide engineering oversight, including reviewing designs, troubleshooting issues, and coordinating with teams.
• Manage system testing, verification, and energization to ensure safe and reliable operation.
• Work closely with construction, engineering, and operations teams to drive project completion.
• Ensure adherence to safety protocols, project schedules, and utility standards.
• Experience in commissioning, protection and controls, and high-voltage equipment.
• Oversight of project specific testing activities including assisting with isolation plans and with flagging and barriers
• Challenge and validate design approaches
• Identify and correct errors and deficiencies
• Provide interface between testing contractors/subcontractors and client
• Review/Create project specific testing and commissioning plans and energization plans
• Review/Create project specific site work plans
• Review of test data to client standards and review of in-service test data (angles/load flow verification)
• Monitor relay testing and review of relay settings
• Monitor functional testing in accordance with the three-line current and potential and schematic diagrams
• Monitor and review of testing of SCADA and communication systems
• Troubleshoot issues that arise during testing activities

Skills

HV Substations

Commissioning Experience

Protection Relays

Schematic Reading

MS Office

Communication Skills

Tools

SCADA Systems

Job description

Responsibilities

This position allows for a hybrid work schedule with a mix of work spent in office and working remote from home.

The preferred location of this role is Chicago, IL.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Oversee commissioning activities for substation projects, ensuring compliance with engineering and operational standards.
• Provide engineering oversight, including reviewing designs, troubleshooting issues, and coordinating with teams.
• Manage system testing, verification, and energization to ensure safe and reliable operation.
• Work closely with construction, engineering, and operations teams to drive project completion.
• Ensure adherence to safety protocols, project schedules, and utility standards.
• Experience in commissioning, protection and controls, and high-voltage equipment.
• Oversight of project specific testing activities including assisting with isolation plans and with flagging and barriers
• Challenge and validate design approaches
• Identify and correct errors and deficiencies
• Provide interface between testing contractors/subcontractors and client
• Review/Create project specific testing and commissioning plans and energization plans
• Review/Create project specific site work plans
• Review of test data to client standards and review of in-service test data (angles/load flow verification)
• Monitor relay testing and review of relay settings
• Monitor functional testing in accordance with the three-line current and potential and schematic diagrams
• Monitor and review of testing of SCADA and communication systems
• Troubleshoot issues that arise during testing activities

Qualifications

We do not sponsor employees for work authorization in the U.S. for this position.

Essential skills and experience:

• 15 or more years of experience in construction & commissioning at high voltage substations
• Familiarity with microprocessor protection relays used in electric utility substations. Should have a knowledge of relays from ABB, AREVA, Siemens, SEL, etc.
• Ability to read and understand AC and DC Schematic Diagrams and Wiring Diagrams for electric utility substations. This includes schematics and wiring diagrams for protection, transformer protection, bus differential protection, breaker failure protection, etc.
• Proficiency with MS Office applications
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Technology & Innovation

Sargent & Lundy values the appropriate use of technology to improve how work gets done and deliver high-quality outcomes for our clients. Depending on the role, employees may use data, automation, artificial intelligence, and other digital tools to support research, analysis, engineering and design activities, workflow improvement, or other aspects of their work. We value candidates who demonstrate an interest in learning and effectively using emerging technologies where relevant to their role. Employees remain accountable for their work and are expected to apply appropriate professional judgment and review when using technology-assisted tools. Experience with AI, automation, programming, or similar technologies is valued where relevant but is not required unless specifically identified elsewhere in the job description.

About Sargent & Lundy

At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

Health & WellnessFinancial BenefitsWork-Life Balance

• Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
• Life & Accident Insurance
• Disability Coverage
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Back-Up Daycare
• FSA & HSA

• 401(k)
• Pre-Tax Commuter Account
• Merit Scholarship Program
• Employee Discount Program
• Corporate Charitable Giving Program
• Tuition Assistance
• First Professional Licensure Bonus
• Employee Referral Bonus

• Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
• Paid Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• Paid Bereavement Leave
• Flexible Work Arrangements

Compensation Range

$145,310.00 - $222,001.00

Transparency Statement

Sargent & Lundy discloses compensation ranges that comply with all local and state regulations. The total compensation package for eligible positions will include a base salary or an hourly rate and a comprehensive benefits package, reflecting our commitment to rewarding performance and supporting the overall well-being of our employees. Individuals may also be eligible to participate in our yearly discretionary bonus.

Equal Opportunity

Sargent & Lundy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any protected status as defined by applicable law.