Principal Specialist, PAC Commissioning

LUMA Energy•Santurce - Lucchetti, PR

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Serves as LUMA’s senior technical authority for commissioning, testing, validating, and energizing protection, automation, and control systems across Puerto Rico’s transmission, generation, and distribution network, leading the full lifecycle of PAC, SCADA, communications, and substation automation systems—from design review through final energization—to ensure the safe, reliable integration of critical electrical infrastructure.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from an ABET-accredited university.
6 to 8 years' progressive engineering experience performing functional role responsibilities along with the required licenses and certifications.
3 years' experience working in electrical utility industry.
Demonstrated success leading commissioning activities for energized transmission and distribution substations.
Extensive experience with high-voltage electrical systems, protection and control schemes, digital substations, communications networks, and SCADA integration.
Proven experience leading complex commissioning, system energization, outage coordination, operational acceptance, and restoration activities.
Demonstrated ability to independently diagnose and resolve highly complex technical issues while balancing safety, reliability, operational risk, and project objectives.
Experience leading multidisciplinary technical teams in a utility, engineering consulting, EPC, OEM, or comparable environment.
Advanced knowledge of utility commissioning standards, electrical safety practices, and applicable industry regulations.
Master’s degree in engineering or bachelor’s degree in engineering accompanied of Professional Engineering license may substitute when accompanied by a minimum of 4 years of progressive experience in commissioning, PAC, substations or related field in electrical utility industry.
Valid driver’s license

Nice To Haves

Professional Engineer License issued by the Examining Board for Engineers, Architects, Surveyors and Landscape Architects of Puerto Rico.
Be a member of the Puerto Rico College of Engineers and Land Surveyors (CIAPR).

Responsibilities

Leads complex commissioning activities from engineering design review through final energization to ensure new and modified infrastructure is safely integrated and fully operational before being placed into service.
Provides technical leadership for PAC, communications, SCADA, and station automation commissioning to guarantee consistent technical standards across all critical grid systems.
Reviews engineering packages for constructability and standards compliance, providing Engineering with recommendations that help prevent design or execution gaps prior to commissioning.
Leads technical investigations into commissioning deficiencies, protection system performance issues, relay misoperations, and equipment failures, and recommends the corrective actions required to achieve full commissioning acceptance.
Serves as technical authority during critical outages, protection cutovers, and energization activities to safeguard personnel, equipment, and system reliability in high-risk moments.
Develops commissioning plans, testing procedures, energization strategies, and switching sequences to minimize operational risk during energization and cutover events.
Recommends commissioning acceptance or rejection, supports final energization and operational readiness decisions, and identifies opportunities to improve commissioning standards, testing methodologies, best industry practices, and operational procedures.
Coordinates commissioning activities across Engineering, Construction, Project Management, System Operations, contractors, manufacturers, and regulators to ensure aligned, on-schedule project delivery.
Mentors commissioning technicians and contractors to build long‑term technical capability and succession depth within the commissioning function, while also providing subject‑matter expertise to cross‑departmental stakeholders involved in commissioning processes.
Applies and reinforces all applicable safety standards, regulations, and company policies, actively promoting LUMA’s safety culture, and suspends activities whenever identified risks threaten personnel safety, equipment integrity, or system reliability.
Interprets and applies utility standards, labor agreements and regulatory requirements; and reinforces company policies, procedures, and standards, ensuring robust compliance with all applicable laws, industry regulations, and internal governance requirements.
Participates in storm restoration tasks and assigned drills to contribute to the safe and reliable recovery of services.
Performs additional tasks aligned with role expectations and qualifications to support team goals and operational flexibility.