Lead Relay Field Technician

Qualus•Greenville, SC

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 the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the electric grid. The role maintains, installs, repairs, and troubleshoots complex control systems, protective relay systems—including microprocessor and electromechanical systems—substation and electric utility protection systems, station automation, and SCADA systems. The technician interprets project scope and substation drawings, plans commissioning and resource scheduling, develops procedures and test plans, conducts equipment testing, and leads troubleshooting and repair work. The role also commissions substations and related power, protection, control, pilot-channel, and communications equipment; provides technical support and mentorship; and serves as a field subject matter expert and technical lead for small project teams. Regular field work is performed indoors and outdoors.

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, power system protection and control schemes, test equipment, and test equipment software.
Ability to use test equipment and tools/wiring, interpret wiring and elementary diagrams, and perform basic testing relevant to the duties.
Basic PC skills.
Ability to quickly learn and apply test procedures for various types of substation equipment.
Ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups and tailor communication to the audience and situation.
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, for safety-related materials, documentation, and client interactions.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Interpret project-level scope of work, plan commissioning and resource scheduling, and provide team leadership to complete testing efficiently, on time, without service interruptions, and in accordance with established 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 protective systems, including verifying relay voltage and current inputs, local and SCADA metering, relay calibration, trip operations, alarms, and function switches.
Lead and perform routine troubleshooting and repair of substation relaying and control equipment.
Commission new substations and power equipment; electromechanical, solid-state, and microprocessor relays; 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 a technical lead for small project teams.
Perform regular field work indoors and outdoors.
Learn and apply client switching procedures and safety measures as required.
Reference and complete assignments according to applicable specifications.