Testing & Commissioning Manager

PTAG; City of Rochester (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible schedule

Competitive pay

ESPP

Safety culture

Job summary

PTAG in Rochester, NY seeks a Lead Testing & Commissioning Manager to oversee testing and commissioning for complex high-voltage substations, including greenfield and brownfield scopes. You will lead planning, execution, verification, and documentation of P&C, A&I, SCADA, cybersecurity, and HV systems.

This role requires strong leadership, extensive experience in relay protection, field engineering, and project coordination, with exposure to NPCC/NERC standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related field from ABET-accredited or Owner-approved institution.
• Minimum 10 years’ experience in commissioning and testing electrical equipment, relay protection & control systems, field engineering, troubleshooting, and startup of substations.
• Specialized advanced training (e.g., PTI, WPI, ECNE PUI) preferred.
• Advanced expertise in planning, commissioning, and engineering documentation.
• Familiar with RTUs, Gateways, and communication protocols (DNP3, MMS, Modbus).

Responsibilities

• Commissioning leadership: develop and manage comprehensive commissioning plans, forms, outage/energization strategies, and test documentation.
• Coordinate and lead commissioning efforts across primary equipment, relay protection systems, P&C and A&I devices, SCADA and cybersecurity systems.
• Execute and supervise AC/DC, secondary, and functional/phasing tests.
• Validate proper operation of protection logic, interlocks, and messaging (GOOSE, IEC 61850).
• Troubleshoot communications and platform issues (serial, network, RTUs).
• Track and restore temporary configurations (relay settings, wiring).
• Consolidate test data and prepare Final Commissioning Reports and as-left documentation.
• Construction Support & Field Oversight; review drawings and standards; initiate design modifications.
• Support technical teams during installation and ensure compliance with customer testing requirements.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Project coordination

Troubleshooting

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering (ABET-accredited)

Tools

Aspen OneLiner

Doble Protection Suite

61850 Test

Wireshark

NMap

Cimplicity

MS Office

Job description

Testing & Commissioning Manager - Rochester, NY - ID#7102

Are you ready to make an impact in the Power industry? Join PTAG, a leading Project Management Advisory & Services firm, recognized across North America for helping world-class clients deliver major capital projects successfully.

We are seeking a Lead Testing & Commissioning Manager to support our growing team in Rochester, NY. In this role, you’ll play a key part in driving project excellence, collaborating with industry leaders, and ensuring high-quality outcomes across complex initiatives.

About PTAG

At PTAG, we help our clients plan, manage, and execute their most challenging projects with innovation, integrity, and collaboration.

Our mission

Our mission is to help our clients achieve successful delivery and efficient operation of their capital projects.

Our vision

Our vision is to support global leaders in the selection, planning, and execution of their major initiatives.

Our Values Include

• Safety: The safety of our employees, suppliers, and clients is always the top priority.
• Collaboration: We build true partnerships with clients and service providers.
• Leadership: We elevate project performance through the application of best practices.
• Accountability: We take responsibility for every aspect of our engagements.
• Client Satisfaction: We strive for 100% satisfaction on every project.
• Integrity: We believe in open and transparent communication at all levels.

Role & Responsibilities

The Lead Testing & Commissioning Manager (LT&CM) oversees and manages testing and commissioning activities for complex high-voltage substation projects—including both greenfield and brownfield scopes. The LT&CM leads the planning, execution, verification, and documentation of all Protection & Control (P&C), Automation & Integration (A&I), SCADA, Network Security, and HV component systems. In multi-stage brownfield projects, the LT&CM may also fulfill Construction Manager duties.

• Commissioning Leadership
• Develop and manage comprehensive commissioning plans,
• forms, outage/energization strategies, and test documentation.
• Coordinate and lead commissioning efforts across:
• Primary equipment (HV apparatus)
• Relay protection systems
• P&C and A&I devices
• SCADA and cybersecurity systems
• Execute and supervise AC/DC, secondary, and functional/phasing tests.
• Validate proper operation of protection logic, interlocks, and messaging (e.g., GOOSE, IEC 61850).
• Troubleshoot communications and platform issues (serial, network, RTUs).
• Track and restore temporary configurations (e.g., relay settings, wiring).
• Consolidate test data and prepare Final Commissioning Reports and as-left documentation.
• Construction Support & Field Oversight
• Review and interpret drawings, instruction manuals, and standards.
• Initiate or manage design modifications (as-built documentation, redlines).
• Support technical teams and contractors during installation phases.
• Ensure compliance with Customer Testing & Commissioning requirements, and applicable standards (NPCC, NERC PRC-2/5, etc.).
• Interface with Substation Operations and SCADA teams for system protection turn-downs, switching plans, and SCADA validation.

Safety & Compliance

• Uphold project safety standards; participate in job briefings and hazard identification.
• Ensure use of PPE, site access control, and conformance with OSHA and Customer-specific safety programs.

Project Coordination

• Serve as the Test Lead—approving all testing and certifying completion.
• Lead and participate in construction and commissioning kickoff meetings.
• Coordinate with the Project Manager on scheduling, contractor accruals, change orders, and risk mitigation.
• Guide field teams in aligning with construction sequencing and safe energization practices.
• Support training for Customer staff in new equipment or systems.

Project Deliverables

• LT&CM ensures delivery of all required post-commissioning documentation, including:
• Wiring verification reports
• Component Test Protocols (1000-E1)
• As-left relay settings, test plans, logic and GOOSE diagrams
• As-left IED, SCADA, and network configuration data
• PSMP forms (where applicable)
• Weekly commissioning reports
• Substation asset key sheets
• Highlighted and redlined construction drawings
• Final Commissioning Report (including CE-reviewed documents)

Qualifications / Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related field from an ABET-accredited or Owner-approved institution.

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in:
• Commissioning and testing electrical equipment
• Relay protection & control systems
• Field engineering, troubleshooting, and startup of substations
• SCADA and communication infrastructure
• Specialized advanced training (e.g., PTI, WPI, ECNE PUI) preferred.

• Advanced expertise in planning, commissioning, and engineering documentation.
• Familiar with industry software/tools including:
• Aspen OneLiner
• Doble Protection Suite, 61850 Test
• Wireshark, NMap, Cimplicity
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Strong understanding of communication protocols:
• DNP3, MMS, Modbus
• Familiarity with RTUs and Gateways (e.g., RTAC/SMP)
• Strong communication and leadership skills, with ability to influence cross-functional teams.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities under time constraints.
• High attention to detail, with commitment to documentation accuracy and project deliverables.
• Capable of conducting lessons-learned reviews and contractor performance evaluations.

Certifications

• OSHA 30 Certification
• First Aid/AED Certified
• Valid Driver’s License
• E-STAR/CONVEX (Switching & Tagging) Certification (or willingness to obtain)
• Background check clearance in accordance with IUSA Contractor policy

Salary Range for Role $120,000-150,000

Compensation at PTAG varies depending on a wide array of factors, which may include but are not limited to the specific office location, role, skill set and level of experience.

Why Join PTAG?

At PTAG, you’ll be part of a dynamic, growing consulting firm that values professional development, collaboration, and innovation.

Opportunity to work on major infrastructure and capital projects.

• Exposure to industry-leading clients and partners.
• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package.
• Flexible work environment and opportunities for advancement.
• Employee Share Purchase Plan (ESPP).
• A culture that values safety, accountability, and excellence.

PTAG is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.

PTAG uses AI-enabled tools to support certain aspects of the recruitment process, including reviewing applications against job-related criteria. These tools are used to assist our recruiters. All hiring decisions are made by PTAG recruiters and hiring managers.