Lead Protection and Control Technician

Accountabilities

As Lead Protection and Control Technician, you will oversee field commissioning activities, ensure the proper functioning of protection and control equipment, and provide technical leadership throughout project execution. Your responsibilities will include:

• Interpret project scopes of work and coordinate commissioning activities, resource allocation, and scheduling to ensure efficient and timely project completion.

• Lead field teams in performing testing and commissioning activities while maintaining compliance with safety procedures and minimizing service interruptions.

• Interpret substation documentation, including single-line diagrams, AC/DC schematics, panel wiring diagrams, and equipment layout drawings.

• Develop and prepare technical procedures, test plans, isolation plans, and functional guidelines for maintenance and construction activities.

• Perform comprehensive testing and verification of protective relays, including voltage and current inputs, relay calibration, metering, trip functions, alarms, and control switches.

• Install, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair complex substation protection and control systems, including electromechanical, solid-state, and microprocessor-based relays.

• Commission new substations and electrical equipment, ensuring that protection, control, automation, and communication systems operate correctly.

• Test and maintain pilot channel equipment, including power line carrier systems, pilot wires, transfer trip systems, fiber optics, coupling voltage transformers (CVTs), line tuners, and line traps.

• Perform troubleshooting and repairs on substation relaying equipment, control systems, and associated electrical infrastructure.

• Support the installation, testing, and integration of SCADA, fault data, sequence-of-events recording (SER), and station automation equipment.

• Provide technical support and guidance to field service personnel throughout project execution.

• Mentor junior technicians, sharing technical knowledge and promoting consistent field service practices.

• Serve as a subject matter expert in protective relaying and provide technical leadership to small project teams.

• Ensure all work complies with client specifications, switching procedures, safety requirements, and applicable technical standards.

Requirements

The ideal candidate is an experienced field service professional with strong expertise in electrical power systems, substation commissioning, and protective relay technology. You should bring:

• At least 5 years of hands-on field experience in commissioning, equipment and panel checkout, relay calibration, testing, and repair of substation protection and control systems.

• Strong knowledge of three-phase power systems and electrical protection and control schemes.

• Experience with protective relays, including electromechanical, solid-state, and microprocessor-based technologies.

• Ability to interpret electrical wiring diagrams, elementary diagrams, single-line drawings, and substation schematics.

• Practical experience using electrical testing equipment, associated software, tools, and wiring systems.

• Familiarity with substation design, protection and control engineering, construction, and commissioning.

• Additional experience with SCADA, fault data systems, sequence-of-events recording (SER), and integration or automation equipment installation and testing is highly desirable.

• Ability to quickly learn and apply testing procedures for different types of substation equipment.

• Understanding of electrical safety practices and the ability to follow client-specific switching procedures and operational requirements.

• Ability to interpret technical specifications and complete assignments in accordance with established requirements.

• Strong technical problem-solving, troubleshooting, and analytical skills.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, including the ability to understand and prepare safety-related documentation and communicate effectively with clients and diverse teams.

• Strong interpersonal skills, business acumen, leadership capabilities, and the ability to manage field activities.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word, Excel, and Outlook.

• Valid driver's license and a good driving record.

• Willingness and ability to perform regular fieldwork in both indoor and outdoor environments.

Benefits

The position offers a competitive compensation package and a comprehensive range of benefits for eligible employees:

• Compensation: $40–$85 per hour.

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.

• Life insurance coverage.

• Short-term and long-term disability insurance.

• Retirement savings plans, including employer matching where applicable.

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and/or Health Savings Accounts (HSA).

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

• Parental leave.

• Paid Time Off (PTO).

• Company-paid holidays.