Senior Relay Technician

The Senior Relay Technician (SRT) is an advanced-level technical position responsible for leading and performing the testing, inspection, maintenance, troubleshooting, and commissioning of protective relaying systems and associated control equipment with minimal supervision. This role serves as the designated crew leader on assigned projects and is responsible for ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with all customers, industry, and company standards.

Senior Relay Technician is encouraged to recommend measures to improve field service operations, technical execution, crew productivity, and customer service. The Senior Relay Technician may be assigned work individually or as part of a larger electrical substation, transmission, distribution, generation, or industrial power project.

Senior Relay Technician reports directly to the Operations Manager and works closely with engineers, project managers, customers, and field personnel. This position provides direct oversight, coordination, and mentorship to Relay Technician I, II, and III personnel assigned to the project.

Effective communication with Operations Manager and/or Supervisor is required throughout active projects and when awaiting assignment and/or standby time.

Often requires extensive travel and non-standard schedules at field locations with exposure to varying environmental conditions.

Duties and responsibilities include,but are not limited to, the following:

• Lead the testing, inspection, maintenance, troubleshooting, and commissioning of protective relaying systems, including but not limited to:
• Transmission and distribution line protection schemes
• Transformer differential and restricted earth fault protection
• Breaker failure and transfer trip schemes
• Generator and motor protection systems
• Reclosing, synchronizing, and transfer schemes
• Microprocessor-based relays and networked protection systems
• Serve as the on-site lead responsible for crew safety, daily work planning, and execution of assigned scope of work.
• Perform and oversee:
• End-to-end relay testing
• Secondary injection testing
• Functional and logic verification
• Trip and close circuit validation
• DC system testing and verification
• Troubleshooting and root cause analysis of relay mis-operations
• Review, interpret, implement, and verify relay settings files and protection coordination documentation.
• Serve as crew lead on relay projects, ensuring safety compliance, quality control, and schedule adherence.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to Relay Technician I, II, and III personnel.
• Review and ensure accuracy of field reports, commissioning documentation, and as-built redlines.
• Interface directly with utility engineers, project managers, and customers as the primary on-site technical representative.
• Conduct and participate in job briefings, tailboard meetings, and hazard assessments.
• Ensure compliance with all company safety policies, utility safety rules, and applicable OSHA requirements.
• Maintain test equipment, tools, vehicles, and job site organization in a clean and serviceable condition.
• Monitor project progress and communicate schedule impacts, technical concerns, safety issues, or resource needs to Operations Manager, Supervisor and/or Project Manager.
• Travel to job sites as required, including overnight travel and extended assignments.
• Participate in/lead job briefings, tailboard meetings, hazard assessments, and incident investigations.
• Identify opportunities for operational improvements, technical standardization, and enhanced customer service.
• Support business development efforts through technical expertise, project estimating input, and customer interaction.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by Operations Manager or Supervisor.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required, associate or bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering technology or related field preferred.
• 7+ years of experience in relay testing, commissioning, or substation protection and control work.
• Demonstrated experience leading field crews and managing relay projects
• Strong understanding of AC/DC theory and power system protection fundamentals.
• Advanced understanding of power system protection…