Relay Field Engineer 1 - Washington, DC

M.C. Dean, Inc•District of Columbia, DC

About The Position

The Relay Field Engineer 1 leads and performs inspection, testing, troubleshooting, maintenance, repair, and startup of low- and medium-voltage electrical distribution equipment in field and shop environments. Equipment includes breakers, transformers, switches, switchgear, relays, motor control centers, and other electrical apparatus. The position requires understanding electrical distribution systems and using complex electrical test equipment. The engineer contributes to a safe working environment and successful project delivery. Local, regional, and national travel is required; international travel is preferred. The role coordinates and supports projects, maintains job documentation, performs acceptance and maintenance testing, troubleshoots electrical systems, and collaborates with engineers, project managers, and clients during commissioning and startup. It includes rotating emergency on-call duty and providing technical guidance to junior technicians as needed.

Requirements

At least 2 years of relevant electrical experience, or an associate degree or bachelor's degree in a related field.
Valid and active U.S. work authorization.
NETA or NICET certification, or equivalent hands-on electrical testing experience.
Strong understanding of ANSI, IEEE, NETA, NFPA, NEC, and OSHA electrical safety standards.
Ability to interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and technical manuals.
Proficiency operating and troubleshooting protective relays, circuit breakers, transformers, switchgear, and other electrical equipment.
Experience with Doble, Omicron, Megger, Vanguard, and Fluke meters or other test equipment listed.
Understanding of insulation resistance, power factor, contact resistance, and high-potential testing procedures.
Knowledge of medium- and high-voltage systems up to 500 kV, including arc-flash hazard analysis.
Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills, including the ability to diagnose system failures.
Willingness to travel as needed and work in industrial, data center, and utility environments.
Ability to work safely under minimal supervision and follow industry best practices.
Ability to lift, carry, and move objects weighing up to 50 pounds regularly, using proper lifting techniques and safety protocols.
Ability to relocate a 12-foot stepladder without assistance.
Ability to work at heights up to 60 feet and climb and maintain balance on scaffolds, aerial lifts, catwalks, and ladders.
Ability to walk, climb, lift, squat, crawl, kneel, push, pull, and reach overhead routinely and repetitively.
Good vision, which may be corrected, ability to see color, and ability to hear and communicate in English.
Ability to use a standard ladder without exceeding its weight limit while carrying tools.
Ability to recognize when something is wrong or likely to go wrong.
Ability to apply general rules to specific problems and combine information to draw conclusions.
Ability to see details at close range and understand information presented through spoken words and sentences.

Nice To Haves

OEM-certified field service training program.

Responsibilities

Coordinate, lead, and support multiple onsite and in-house projects using company software systems.
Review and maintain job documentation, ensuring information is complete from order receipt through invoicing.
Test low- and medium-voltage cables, instrument and power transformers, switchgear, breakers, electro-mechanical and solid-state relays, and other electrical apparatus.
Contain material costs by eliminating wasteful practices and implementing appropriate control measures.
Rotate emergency on-call duty and respond to customer emergencies in a timely manner when called.
Promote continuous improvement and teamwork.
Perform acceptance and maintenance testing of electrical power systems in compliance with NETA standards.
Conduct protective relay testing, calibration, and programming for various manufacturers.
Perform circuit breaker and switchgear testing, including timing and primary and secondary injection tests.
Troubleshoot electrical faults and conduct root-cause analysis of system failures.
Conduct transformer testing, including turns ratio, insulation resistance, and power factor tests.
Follow electrical safety protocols, including lockout/tagout procedures and PPE requirements.
Maintain detailed test reports and documentation for compliance and client review.
Collaborate with engineers, project managers, and clients to support efficient system commissioning and startup.
Provide mentorship and technical guidance to junior technicians as needed.