Substation Commissioning Engineer

This role focuses on the final testing, validation, and energization of substation systems across Colorado. The Substation Commissioning Engineer ensures that protection and control systems, relays, and three-phase electrical systems operate safely and reliably before energization. This position offers the opportunity to work on the highest-impact phase of substation projects, with clear pathways into leadership roles and strong growth tied to technical advancement.

Responsibilities

• Support commissioning efforts for both greenfield and brownfield substations across Colorado.
• Perform detailed protection and controls testing to verify system performance and functionality.
• Conduct relay testing and logic verification to validate protection schemes prior to energization.
• Review, execute, and document relay testing procedures, including logic checks and setting verification.
• Apply a solid understanding of three-phase electrical systems to assess system readiness and functionality.
• Provide final sign-off on substations and associated equipment prior to energization, ensuring all systems are fully operational.
• Take ownership of final checks and commissioning documentation, maintaining high attention to detail and accountability.
• Work in live, high-impact environments during the final stages of energization while adhering to strict safety and operational procedures.
• Collaborate with project teams, field personnel, and stakeholders to resolve issues identified during commissioning.
• Support multiple substation sites, including a mix of local and travel assignments, typically up to two weeks at a time.

Requirements

• At least 5+ years of field experience in substation protection and controls testing.
• Hands-on experience performing substation commissioning and final energization support.
• Strong background in protection and controls testing for substation systems.
• Proficiency in relay testing and understanding of relay logic to validate protection schemes.
• Solid understanding of three-phase electrical systems and their application in substation environments.
• Demonstrated ability to take ownership of final sign-off responsibilities before energization.
• High attention to detail and strong sense of accountability in high-impact environments.
• Comfort working in field environments, including live substation sites.
• Willingness and ability to travel across Colorado, including assignments up to approximately two weeks at a time.

Qualifications

• Electrical engineering degree preferred.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license strongly preferred.
• Senior relay technicians with 10–15+ years of experience considered in lieu of a degree.
• Experience with relay setting development.
• Substation design experience.
• Exposure to project leadership, such as leading field efforts or supporting project management.
• Based in the Denver Metro or Colorado Springs area is preferred.
• Open to relocation; relocation and sign-on bonus available for strong candidates.
• Interest in growing into leadership roles such as project management, field service management, or operations.

Work Environment

This is a field-based role working primarily at substation sites across Colorado, with approximately 60% of work in the Denver Metro area and additional assignments throughout the state. The position involves a mix of local and travel-based work, typically with trips lasting up to two weeks at a time. You will operate in live, high-impact environments during the final stages of substation energization, working closely with complex protection and control systems and critical infrastructure. The role offers exposure to advanced technologies and systems used in modern substations, along with a clear path into leadership roles and strong compensation growth tied to technical advancement.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Amarillo, TX.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $60.00 - $80.00/hr.

Benefits

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)