Protection and Control Senior Test Engineer

Job Summary:

The P&C Senior Test Engineer is responsible for the independent execution of testing, commissioning, and validation activities across transmission, distribution, and generation substations. This role operates with minimal supervision on assigned scopes, applies sound system-level understanding to protection testing, and actively contributes to the development of less experienced team members.

The P&C Senior Test Engineer understands not only how to execute individual protection tests but also how the tested components interact as a complete protection system. This includes CT/VT theory and application, relay logic interpretation, control circuit verification, drawing navigation, and the ability to identify and escalate anomalies before they become operational risks.

This role is the critical developmental step between directed execution and full project ownership. The Senior Test Engineer is building the leadership habits, system-level awareness, and planning skills required to advance to Lead. This position supports greenfield and brownfield commissioning projects involving relay protection systems, SCADA integration, breaker controls, transformer protection, and bus protection across substations up to 765kV.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

•  None.

Duties/Responsibilities:

Technical Knowledge

• Independently execute relay protection testing using Doble, Omicron, RTS, SEL AcSELerator, GE Enervista, and equivalent testing platforms.

• Test and validate protection elements including line, transformer, bus, feeder, breaker failure, reclosing, and transfer trip schemes under Lead oversight on complex configurations.

• Perform and validate CT/PT testing including ratio, polarity, phasing, saturation characteristics, and single-point grounding verification independently.

• Execute complete relay input/output testing, analog-to-digital metering checks, and individual element pickup and timing tests with accurate pass/fail determination.

• Interpret relay logic, phasors, event reports, and oscillography to identify abnormal conditions and communicate findings clearly to the Lead.

• Apply working knowledge of AC/DC power system fundamentals and complex power calculations, symmetrical components and relay element operation, protection zones and coordination philosophy, instrument transformer behavior and application, and overcurrent/differential/impedance/breaker failure protection applications.

• Read, interpret, and navigate one-lines, three-lines, schematics, wiring diagrams, logic diagrams, cable schedules, and panel layouts with ease.

• Identify station phasing and equipment orientation from any location in the substation.

• Support switching activities and outage coordination independently; prepare projects through final pre-energization readiness with Lead oversight required prior to actual energization.

• Treat every testing scope as a system validation exercise, not an isolated component check.

• Technical Development

• Actively engage with internal training material at the advanced levels and apply that learning directly to field assignments and commissioning scopes.

• Develop complete test plans, isolation plans, energization plans, commissioning procedures, Human Performance mitigation plans, and job hazard analyses for assigned scopes independently, ensuring all documents reflect the full protection scheme and operational risk profile.

• Review full drawing packages prior to testing not just the immediate work area identifying design inconsistencies, relay logic concerns, and drawing errors for escalation before work begins.

• Ensure all testing aligns with utility standards, NETA practices, IEEE guidance, and client-specific commissioning requirements, taking ownership of standard compliance on assigned scopes.

• Maintain complete, accurate, and well-organized test records, redlines, and daily reports; support the Lead in reviewing results for operational correctness prior to client turnover.

• Actively study complex protection schemes, SCADA integration, IEC 61850 / GOOSE communications, and advanced relay platforms to build the system-level knowledge required at the Lead level.

• Seek exposure to project coordination, energization planning, and scope management under Lead mentorship to prepare for full project ownership.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of Protection and Control procedures and field standards.

Mentorship and Team Collaboration

• Actively mentor Test Engineer II team members on protection testing techniques, drawing interpretation, relay logic, and the development of independent judgment in the field.

• Actively mentor Test Engineers on foundational skills including equipment identification, test set operation, documentation practices, and safe work execution.

• Tailor coaching to where each individual sits in the career ladder — guiding the Test Engineer toward TE II readiness and guiding the Test Engineer II toward Senior-level independence.

• Reinforce safe work practices, HP tool use, and verification culture within the crew through consistent modeling and direct feedback.

• Provide honest, constructive feedback to junior team members and communicate development observations to the Lead.

• Contribute to a learning environment where questions are encouraged, mistakes are learning opportunities, and technical growth is a shared team priority.
• Support the Lead in monitoring scope changes and communicating field impacts.

Safety & Human Performance

• Maintain and promote a safety-first culture in all environments.

• Strictly adhere to Lock Out / Tag Out (LOTO) procedures and switching boundaries.

• Utilize Human Performance Improvement (HPI) tools to minimize operational risk.

• Verify live-dead-live conditions and establish safe isolation boundaries.

• Lead daily safety discussions, JHA reviews, and pre-job briefs.

• Maintain compliance with OSHA, NERC CIP, utility requirements, and internal standards.
• Support investigation and mitigation of operational or safety events when required.

Additional responsibilities and tasks as required to support the organization's goals and adapt to evolving business needs.

Attributes/Abilities:

• Must have a satisfactory background/MVR check.

• Must pass a pre-employment, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, and/or random drug test.

• Maintains a questioning attitude and high attention to detail to catch errors early and confirm work is done right.

• Stays calm under pressure and adapts quickly to changing conditions in dynamic field environments.

• Mentorship mindset — invests in developing junior engineers and reinforcing safe, high-quality work across the crew.

• Customer-focused in every interaction, with a commitment to continuous learning and ongoing professional development.

• Ability to maintain professional conduct and technical credibility in all client-facing interactions.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel for accurate documentation, reporting, and data tracking.

Experience and Education:

• Minimum 2+ years of experience in high-voltage Protection & Control testing and commissioning.

• Experience commissioning substations from 12.5kV through 765kV preferred.

• Experience with SEL, GE, ABB, Siemens, Westinghouse, or equivalent relay platforms.

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Electrical Technology, or an Associate degree in Electrical Technology or related field experience preferred.

• OSHA 30 certification preferred.

• Knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC) and OSHA Electrical Safe Work Practices is preferred.

• First Aid / CPR certification preferred.
• Familiarity with NERC CIP requirements preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work safely around energized electrical equipment and mechanical hazards.

• Ability to work in operational substations and construction environments.

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.

• Ability to travel as required.

• Ability to work overtime and outage schedules as necessary.

• Exposure to outdoor weather conditions, noise, vibration, heat, dust, oil, grease, and energized equipment environments.