P&C Lead Test Engineer

POWERX Edge • Oklahoma City, OK

9d

About The Position

The P&C Lead Test Engineer leads testing, commissioning, validation, and operational integration of protection and control systems across transmission, distribution, and generation substations. The role provides technical leadership and field mentorship, ensuring systems operate safely and reliably and meet utility standards, engineered design intent, and POWERX commissioning practices. The engineer is expected to understand system topology, protection philosophy, sequence components, relay logic, AC/DC fundamentals, communications architecture, human performance principles, and the operational impact of testing in energized substations.

The position leads project execution from planning through energization and turnover, including greenfield and brownfield commissioning involving relay protection, SCADA integration, IEC 61850 communications, RTUs, breaker controls, transformer protection, bus protection, line protection, and restoration activities. It coordinates with project management, engineering, construction, clients, and operations personnel; mentors developing Test Engineers; and serves as the primary field technical interface with the client. The role includes work in energized substations up to 500kV, travel as required, and overtime or outage schedules when necessary.

Requirements

• At least 3 years of experience in high-voltage Protection & Control testing and commissioning.
• Experience with SEL, GE, ABB, Siemens, Westinghouse, or equivalent relay platforms.
• Satisfactory background and motor vehicle record check.
• Must pass pre-employment, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, and/or random drug testing.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present technical information to audiences with varying levels of expertise.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel sufficient to produce client-ready commissioning documentation, test records, redlines, reports, and planning materials.
• Ability to work safely around energized electrical equipment and mechanical hazards, and in operational substations and construction environments.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to travel as required and work overtime and outage schedules as necessary.
• Ability to adapt to greenfield and brownfield scopes, transmission, distribution, and generation substations, night and weekend outages, and restoration events.
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional development in relay platforms, IEC 61850/GOOSE communications, NETA practices, IEEE guidance, and evolving utility and NERC CIP standards.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Electrical Technology, or an Associate degree in Electrical Technology or related field experience.
• Experience commissioning substations from 12.5kV through 765kV.
• OSHA 30 certification.
• Knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC) and OSHA Electrical Safe Work Practices.
• First Aid/CPR certification.
• Familiarity with NERC CIP requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead advanced testing, commissioning, troubleshooting, and operational validation across transmission, distribution, and generation substations.
• Perform and oversee relay protection testing using Doble, Omicron, RTS, SEL AcSELerator, GE Enervista, and equivalent platforms.
• Validate line, transformer, bus, feeder, breaker failure, reclosing, transfer trip, and communication-assisted protection schemes.
• Perform end-to-end testing and operational verification of relay systems, SCADA, RTUs, IEC 61850 networks, GOOSE messaging, telecom systems, breaker controls, and station communications.
• Perform and validate CT/PT testing, including ratio, polarity, phasing, CT saturation characteristics, and single-point grounding.
• Interpret and troubleshoot relay logic, phasors, event reports, oscillography, sequence components, and fault behavior to identify abnormal conditions and operational risks.
• Read, interpret, and validate one-lines, three-lines, schematics, wiring and logic diagrams, relay settings files, and panel layouts.
• Support switching, outage coordination, energization, restoration, and operational turnover within energized substations up to 500kV.
• Lead complex utility commissioning projects and coordinate field execution with project management, engineering, construction, and client operations.
• Review engineered drawings, relay settings, logic diagrams, and layouts for technical accuracy and constructability; identify design gaps and operational risks before energization.
• Develop test, isolation, and energization plans; commissioning procedures; Human Performance mitigation plans; and Job Hazard Analyses.
• Ensure testing aligns with utility standards, NETA practices, IEEE guidance, and client requirements.
• Support development and improvement of Protection & Control procedures and operational standards.
• Review testing results for accuracy, completeness, and operational correctness before client turnover.
• Lead crews professionally and mentor developing engineers in field execution and system understanding.
• Promote learning, verification, operational discipline, communication, and workforce development; help evaluate technical competency, testing quality, and operational readiness.
• Maintain and promote a safety-first culture; follow LOTO procedures and switching boundaries; verify live-dead-live conditions and safe isolation boundaries.
• Use Human Performance Improvement tools, lead safety discussions, JHA reviews, and pre-job briefs, and comply with OSHA, NERC CIP, utility requirements, and internal standards.
• Support investigation and mitigation of operational or safety events when required.
• Serve as the primary field technical interface with clients; communicate status, technical concerns, schedule impacts, and operational risks.
• Maintain client relationships, monitor scope changes, and communicate impacts to leadership.
• Support project forecasting, scheduling, manpower planning, and execution strategy.
• Maintain commissioning records and test results, including redlines and turnover documentation, and submit daily and final reports.
• Carry out additional responsibilities as needed to support organizational goals and evolving business needs.

Benefits

• Competitive pay
• Incentives for certifications
• Referral bonus program
• Tuition reimbursement
• Medical, dental, vision, LTD, STD, Basic Life/AD&D, and other ancillary products
• 401k program with a company match
• Performance program
• Paid parental leave
• PTO including Wellness Days and paid holidays

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed