Senior Commissioning Engineer

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in California, +4 more states.

📋 Description

• Lead and provide support for testing, commissioning, and initial energization activities for utility-scale HV substations, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and photovoltaic (PV) facilities.

• Act as the senior technical authority and main engineering liaison among commissioning teams, project management, engineering, owners, utilities, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and field services.

• Create Testing & Commissioning plans along with comprehensive initial energization procedures.

• Assess protection and control philosophies, relay settings, commissioning strategies, switching procedures, lockout/tagout (LOTO), Permit to Work, Red Rope, and Safety Utility Training (SUT) programs.

• Oversee and assist in the initial energization of substations, ensuring readiness verification, field coordination, and high-voltage switching operations.

• Review and validate commissioning and acceptance test reports; identify discrepancies and provide final engineering sign-off.

• Conduct or coordinate harmonic measurements and power quality evaluations.

• Generate substation operation and training documentation and deliver training onsite.

• Offer technical support after energization, including troubleshooting, monitoring, closeout, and on-call site-event assistance.

• Manage equipment failure investigations and post-trip analyses, including root-cause analysis, corrective actions, and reporting.

• Monitor corrective actions until closure and verify their effectiveness through functional testing and return-to-service sign-off.

• Contribute to lessons learned for procedures, design standards, and Operations & Maintenance (O&M) documentation.

• Serve as the final technical reviewer and approver for commissioning deliverables and turnover packages.

• Review EPC contract exhibits to clarify Testing & Commissioning scope and distribution of responsibilities.

• Provide technical guidance, supervision, mentoring, coaching, performance evaluations, development goals, and workload management for Commissioning Engineers.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from an accredited institution; equivalent experience may be accepted.

• At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in testing, commissioning, and initial energization of utility-scale HV substations, BESS, and/or PV facilities.

• A minimum of 5 years in a leading or primary technical engineer role for commissioning and energization on complex utility-scale projects.

• At least 5 years of experience performing and directing high-voltage switching operations and supporting energized electrical systems.

• A minimum of 2 years of engineering leadership or supervisory experience.

• Proficiency in power system protection, control systems, relay testing, electrical system analysis, power quality, harmonic analysis, and utility interconnection standards.

• Capability to independently resolve intricate technical challenges through engineering analysis and judgment.

• Experience in developing commissioning plans, initial energization procedures, switching procedures, and technical work instructions.

• Background in reviewing and approving engineering deliverables, commissioning reports, and technical documentation.

• Experience in leading technical investigations and root cause analyses for complex electrical system failures.

• Proficiency in mentoring, supervising, or providing technical leadership to engineering personnel.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills for interaction with Owners, Utilities, and internal stakeholders.

• Strong safety record and adherence to company/client safety protocols, OSHA regulations, NFPA 70E, and utility switching and clearance procedures.

• Professional Engineer (PE) license or the ability to obtain one.

• Experience with high-voltage switching.

• NETA Certification Level II, III, or IV.

• Familiarity with harmonic analyzers and power quality monitoring devices.

• Experience in supporting post-energization operations or warranty periods.

• Background in reviewing protection coordination studies and relay settings.

• Experience with SEL, GE, ABB, Schweitzer, or similar protection systems.

• Knowledge of utility interconnection and NERC/FERC compliance requirements.

• Legally authorized to work in the U.S. without requiring employer sponsorship now or in the future.

🏝️ Benefits

• Medical insurance

• Dental insurance

• Vision insurance

• Basic life insurance

• Disability insurance

• 401(k) plan

• Vacation pay

• Sick pay

• Holiday pay