Relay Technician

Job Title:

Relay Technician

Job Description

This onsite Relay Technician position based out of the Amarillo office focuses on substation protection and controls testing in both greenfield and brownfield substations at various stages of energization. You will work hands-on with protection schemes, control wiring, and relay testing, supporting reliable operation of utility substations across the Texas and Oklahoma panhandle and southeastern New Mexico.

This role offers a strong technical career path and can serve as a gateway to higher-level positions such as Commissioning Engineer, Project Manager, Field Service Manager, Operations Manager, or pre-commissioning and commissioning roles.

Responsibilities

* Perform substation relay testing and commissioning activities in greenfield and brownfield substations at various stages of energization.

* Implement and verify substation protection and control schemes, ensuring proper operation of relays and associated equipment.

* Interpret and work from control schematics, wiring diagrams, and panel layouts to complete and verify control wiring.

* Carry out point-to-point wiring checks to confirm correct terminations and functional integrity of protection and control circuits.

* Conduct live current transformer (CT) work in accordance with established safety and technical procedures.

* Test, ring out, and verify control and protection cables to ensure correct installation and performance.

* Upload relay settings into protection relays and verify that settings are correctly applied and functioning as intended.

* Utilize relay test equipment, including Omicron test sets and associated software such as Test Universe, to perform functional and performance testing of protection relays.

* Work with both modern digital relays and legacy electromechanical relays, performing testing, troubleshooting, and adjustments as needed.

* Apply three-phase power system knowledge to understand and validate system behavior, fault responses, and relay operations.

* Collaborate with engineering and field teams involved in relay settings development, substation design, and commissioning activities.

* Travel to various job sites within the Texas and Oklahoma panhandle and southeastern New Mexico for short assignments, typically up to two weeks, with occasional longer assignments given advanced notice.

* Document test results, configurations, and field observations clearly and accurately for project records and future reference.

* Support pre-commissioning and commissioning efforts by verifying that protection and control systems are ready for energization.

* Maintain tools, test equipment, and work areas in a safe, organized, and professional manner while adhering to all site safety requirements.

Essential Skills

* Minimum of 5 years of field experience in substation protection and controls testing.

* Strong hands-on experience as a substation relay technician working in energized and non-energized substation environments.

* Deep familiarity with substation protection and controls and their practical implementation in the field.

* Ability to read, interpret, and work from control schematics, wiring diagrams, and panel wiring drawings.

* Proficiency with control wiring, low-voltage wiring, and point-to-point wiring verification.

* Solid understanding of three-phase power systems and their application in protection and control schemes.

* Experience performing live CT work following appropriate procedures and safety practices.

* Ability to test and ring out control and protection cables to verify continuity and correctness.

* Capability to upload relay settings to protection relays and verify proper operation.

* Familiarity with protection and control concepts used in substations, including utility distribution and substation design.

* Willingness and ability to travel for short periods, typically not exceeding two weeks at a time, with flexibility for occasional longer trips with prior notice.

* Strong troubleshooting skills and attention to detail when working with both digital and electromechanical relays.

* Ability to work independently in the field while communicating effectively with project and engineering teams.

Additional

Skills & Qualifications

* Experience developing relay settings is highly relevant and may translate well to this role.

* Experience in substation design and commissioning is beneficial and can support growth into commissioning-focused roles.

* Knowledge of remote terminal units (RTUs) is a plus.

* Familiarity with Omicron test sets and software such as Test Universe is a strong advantage.

* Experience with electromechanical relays is a plus.

* Education in electrical engineering or an associated degree is preferred but not required.

* Experience with utility distribution, substation design, and protection and control engineering is advantageous.

* Candidates residing in the Texas or Oklahoma panhandle or southeastern New Mexico are preferred, though relocation support or living outside the service area may be…