Protection & Control Technician - Electrical Testing (PA, NJ)

The Nowak Group • Philadelphia, PA

51d • $60 - $85 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Protection and Control Technician is responsible for delivering high-quality testing and verification services for utility and industrial-scale power systems. This role supports protection and control maintenance, upgrades, and new installations across the full project lifecycle—from design validation through system energization. The position helps ensure electrical systems are installed, tested, and commissioned in accordance with design intent, project specifications, and industry standards, while minimizing risk and supporting safe, reliable system operation.

Requirements

• Minimum associate’s degree in electrical technology, Army Prime Power or Navy Nuclear electrical program, apprenticeship OR 1-3 years substation protection and controls field experience
• Knowledge of electrical power systems, protection, and control concepts
• Experience with relay testing – electro-mechanical and microprocessor relays
• Ability to read and interpret electrical drawings, AC/DC schematics, and protection schemes
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills
• Effective communication and technical abilities
• Commitment to safety, quality, and human performance
• Ability to travel within defined footprint
• Valid driver's license with clean driving record
• Osha 30
• NFPA 70E

Nice To Haves

• Senior level Protection and Control Technician qualifications include: Minimum associate’s degree in electrical technology, Army Prime Power or Navy Nuclear electrical program, or apprenticeship and 1-3 years substation protection and controls field experience OR 5+ years substation protection and controls field experience
• Lead level Protection and Control Technician qualifications include: Minimum associate’s degree in electrical technology, Army Prime Power or Navy Nuclear electrical program or apprenticeship and 5 years substation protection and controls field experience OR 7+ years substation protection and controls field experience

Responsibilities

• Execute comprehensive electrical testing activities to verify proper installation and system integration
• Ensure compliance with design intent, project specifications, codes, and industry standards
• Support system energization and turnover to operations
• Perform protective relay testing, calibration, and settings verification
• Validate proper operation of protection systems - Ensure integrated system components operate together as designed
• Identify and resolve misconfigurations or performance issues prior to energization
• Support system reliability by preventing nuisance trips, equipment damage, and outages
• Conduct functional testing of protection, control, and automation systems
• Simulate operating conditions to verify logic, interlocks, alarms, and system responses
• Perform testing and validation of metering systems, including revenue-grade and power quality meters
• Ensure compliance with utility requirements and project specifications
• Review electrical designs, including drawings, protection schemes, control logic, and system settings
• Provide technical recommendations to improve system safety, reliability, and performance
• Diagnose and resolve protection mis-operations, control system issues, alarms, and performance anomalies

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision – 100% employer funded for employee + family
• Retirement contributions
• Short term disability
• Hourly Wage with applicable overtime rates
• Per diem ($210 per day) and travel
• Paid vacation fund
• Paid holidays
• FR clothing allowance
• Cell phone allowance
• Safety shoes/prescription glasses reimbursement
• Outfitted company vehicle and fuel card
• Company required PPE, tools, and equipment

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree