Lead Relay Field Technician

Qualus•, AL

About The Position

The Lead Relay Field Technician works in Qualus’s Field Engineering department, calibrating, installing, maintaining, and repairing protective relays and associated equipment to support safe, reliable electric-grid operation. The role also maintains, installs, repairs, and troubleshoots complex control systems, microprocessor and electromechanical protective relays, substation and utility protection systems, station automation, and SCADA systems. The technician plans and leads commissioning and testing activities, provides technical support and mentorship to field-service personnel, and serves as a field subject matter expert in protective relaying. The position requires regular indoor and outdoor field work and travel to client sites. The stated travel schedule is three weeks at a client site followed by a long weekend of approximately three days at home, with paid housing and travel home. Candidates may live anywhere in the United States and travel to the client location if they do not prefer to relocate.

Requirements

At least 5 years of field experience commissioning, checking out panels and equipment, calibrating relays, and testing and repairing substation relaying and control schemes.
Knowledge of three-phase power systems and power-system protection and control schemes.
Knowledge of test equipment, test-equipment software, and test-equipment tool and wiring use.
Ability to interpret wiring and elementary diagrams and perform basic testing required for the role.
Basic PC skills.
Ability to quickly learn and apply test procedures for different types of substation equipment.
Ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups and adapt communication to the audience and situation.
Ability to learn and apply client switching procedures and safety measures.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, business acumen, and management ability.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Valid driver's license and good driving record.
Ability to communicate effectively in English, including reading and writing, because of safety-related materials, documentation, and client interactions.

Nice To Haves

Experience in substation design, including protection and control engineering.
Experience in substation construction or commissioning.
Experience installing and testing SCADA, fault-data, SER, or integration-automation equipment.

Responsibilities

Interpret project-level scopes of work and plan commissioning activities and resource schedules; lead teams in completing tests efficiently, on time, without service interruptions, and in accordance with safety protocols.
Interpret substation drawings, including single-line drawings, AC and DC schematics, panel wiring diagrams, and panel layout drawings.
Write procedures and test plans for maintenance and construction activities, including isolation plans and functional guidelines.
Test substation systems and equipment, including relay voltage and current inputs, local and SCADA metering, relay calibration, trip functions, alarms, and function switches.
Lead and perform routine troubleshooting and repair of substation relaying and control equipment.
Commission new substations and power equipment, relaying systems, pilot-channel equipment, controls, and communications equipment.
Provide project technical support to Field Service personnel.
Provide technical mentorship to junior-level Field Service personnel.
Serve as a field subject matter expert in protective relaying.
Serve as the technical lead for small project teams.
Perform regular field work indoors and outdoors.
Learn and apply client switching procedures and safety measures as required.
Complete assignments in accordance with applicable specifications.

Benefits

Sign-on or relocation bonus.
External and internal referral bonuses.
Per diem.
Company truck for company and personal use.
Career development opportunities, including mentorship and company investment.
Paid housing while traveling to client sites and paid travel home for the stated travel schedule.
Medical, dental, and vision coverage for eligible employees.
Life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage for eligible employees.
Retirement savings plans, including employer matching where applicable.
Flexible spending and/or health spending accounts for eligible employees.
Employee Assistance Program.
Parental leave.
Paid time off.
Company holidays.