Protection and Controls - Technician
About the job
- At least 5 years of experience in the electrical testing industry focused on protection and control equipment, remote terminal units (RTUs), and telecommunications with high-voltage utility, cooperative, power generation, federal, or municipal clients.
- A Bachelor of Science in Engineering or Technology in a similar discipline, a technical school diploma, or military experience in the Army Prime Power or Navy Nuclear electrical program.
- Experience with transmission and distribution relays, including SEL, GE, ABB, and Westinghouse.
- Experience with substation RTUs, communication processors, and telecommunications equipment for brownfield and greenfield projects.
- Experience with scoping, scheduling, and budgeting protection and control, RTU, and telecommunications projects for internal and external entities.
- Experience managing protection and control teams working in high-voltage substations for utility clients.
- Familiarity with North American Electric Reliability Corporation Critical Infrastructure Protection (NERC CIP) requirements.
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds, climb ladders, stand for extended periods, and drive regularly, with or without reasonable accommodations.
- Ability to pass a fit-for-duty physical exam when required.
- Ability to pass pre-employment and periodic unannounced drug tests.
- Ability to pass a pre-employment background check covering a 7-year history.
- Valid driver's license and ability to meet minimum motor vehicle insurability standards.
- Completion of 30-hour Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) training.
- Ability to work in a field environment subject to changing outdoor conditions.
- Willingness to work overtime as needed and travel extensively to client work locations.
- Fluency in spoken and written English.
- Install, commission, test, and maintain protective relay equipment, powerline carrier equipment, digital fault recorders (DFRs), RTUs, and communication processors.
- Perform functional testing for protection and control circuitry associated with transmission lines, high-voltage buses, transformers, circuit breakers, feeders, reactors, and capacitor banks.
- Perform RTU and telecommunications upgrades for clients.
- Complete required work with SEL microprocessor relays, including models 311C, 311L, 387, 411L, 421, 487B, 487E, 487V, 587, 587Z, and 787.
- Work with RTUs and communication processors from GE, Telvent, SEL, Cooper, and Novatech.
- Review, document, and submit test reports for client reporting and regulatory purposes.
- Interpret one-line, three-line, wiring, and schematic diagrams and communication configurations, and identify and report discrepancies.
- Complete time and expense reports accurately and maintain the assigned company vehicle in good condition.
- Experience with GE microprocessor relays, including models C30, D60, F35, L90, T35, and T60.
About the company
Shermco provides electrical testing, maintenance, and engineering services across North America for industrial, commercial, and utility clients. Its offerings include rotating machinery service and repair, protection and control testing, commissioning, wind energy services, field services, in-shop services, systems integration, specialty services, disaster recovery, and industry-specific training. The company earns revenue through service contracts, project-based work, and training programs. Shermco uses on-site field work, shop-based repair, and specialized testing and engineering to ensure electrical system reliability and safety. Unlike many competitors, it combines a broad range of services (from rotating machinery to wind energy and disaster recovery) with accreditation by the InterNational Electrical Testing Association and a broad training ecosystem, aiming to be a trusted partner for ongoing electrical maintenance and safety across multiple sectors.
Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
Acquired
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Irving, Texas
Founded
1974
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Shermco is expanding into data centers, semiconductors, healthcare, and water/wastewater through PQE.
- Revelio Labs showed 1,799 employees in March 2026, up 11.8% from 2023.
- Shermco listed 209 active job openings in 2026, signaling ongoing operational expansion.
What critics are saying
- Blackstone ownership since October 2025 pressures Shermco for bolt-ons and faster integration.
- Shermco depends on scarce NETA technicians; turnover would stall commissioning backlogs.
- A 2026 slowdown in data-center capex would hit PQE and Shermco’s expansion thesis.
What makes Shermco unique
- Shermco sells NETA-certified field testing, engineering, and commissioning across 41 North American service centers.
- Blackstone bought Shermco on October 27, 2025, backing aggressive add-on acquisition execution.
- PQE’s March 11, 2026 acquisition strengthened Central Texas power-systems engineering and data-center capabilities.
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Benefits
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Training Programs
- Professional Certification Support