Senior Electrical Testing & Commissioning Engineer

Description

The Senior Electrical Testing & Commissioning Engineer plans, executes, and oversees electrical testing and commissioning across Fervo's geothermal power projects. The role covers the full commissioning lifecycle from pre-commissioning inspections and factory acceptance testing through field testing, system energization, and handover to operations. Equipment scope includes medium- and low-voltage switch gear, power transformers, instrument transformers (PTs and CTs), circuit breakers, protective relays, cables, MCCs, VFDs, motors, generators, and plant grounding systems.

This role is Fervo's internal expert on electrical acceptance testing. The engineer works directly with third-party NETA-accredited testing companies to scope, schedule, witness, and review testing across all equipment categories. They will also develop Fervo's own test requirements and commissioning procedures, based on NETA ATS/MTS and supplemented by IEEE, NFPA 70B, and manufacturer requirements, and will work closely with Fervo's internal Electrical Engineers to keep test scopes technically sound and consistent with the project's protection and operational philosophy.

Requirements

Responsibilities

Commissioning Planning & Test Management

* Develop and implement Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs) for all electrical systems, based on design specifications, protection philosophies, and applicable standards (NETA, IEEE, IEC).

* Define pre-commissioning, commissioning, and energization sequences to ensure safe and orderly system startup.

* Prepare commissioning procedures, test packages, method statements, and work permits for electrical testing activities.

* Manage the electrical commissioning schedule and coordinate with EPC contractors, NETA testing firms, OEMs, and internal stakeholders.

* Lead pre-energization safety reviews (PSSRs) and energization readiness walkdowns for major electrical equipment.

NETA Acceptance Testing & Electrical Inspection

* Lead NETA acceptance testing (per ANSI/NETA ATS) for MV and LV equipment including cables, switch gear, power transformers, instrument transformers (PTs and CTs), circuit breakers, protective relays, MCCs, VFDs, motors, and grounding systems. Tests are performed either directly or through third-party contractors.

* Review and formally accept NETA and other electrical test reports for all equipment categories. Identify deficiencies, out-of-tolerance values, or failed tests, and drive resolution with the testing contractor, OEM, or internal engineering.

* Witness relay functional testing; review protection coordination studies, relay settings, and arc flash analyses; and verify correct implementation in the field before energization.

* Perform or witness specific acceptance tests including cable insulation resistance, DC hipot, and VLF testing; breaker contact resistance and timing; transformer turns ratio (TTR); power factor and dissipation factor; insulation power factor; and CT/PT accuracy and polarity.

* Verify control and interlocking logic, including integration testing between protection systems and SCADA/DCS/PLC platforms, in coordination with Fervo's internal Electrical Engineers.

* Track all test failures, non-conformances, and open punch items through a live deficiency register and drive each to documented closure.

Contractor & Stakeholder Coordination

* Serve as Fervo's primary contact for third-party NETA testing companies, managing scope, schedules, resource deployment, and test report acceptance from mobilization through closeout.

* Develop and maintain Fervo's internal electrical test requirements, commissioning procedures, and acceptance criteria, based on NETA ATS/MTS, IEEE, and NFPA 70B, and updated as project requirements evolve.

* Work closely with Fervo's internal Electrical Engineers throughout test planning and execution to align test scopes with design intent, resolve technical questions from test results, and ensure findings are reflected in engineering records and as-built documentation.

* Participate and/or run daily commissioning coordination meetings and keep project leadership informed on status, open items, and technical risks.

* Coordinate with operations and maintenance teams on energization sequencing and system turnover.

Documentation & Handover

* Compile and maintain complete commissioning documentation packages including test records, punch lists, deviation logs, as-built markups, and turnover dossiers.

* Prepare commissioning completion reports and handover packages for operations, confirming all systems have been tested, accepted, and documented.

* Communicate lessons learned from commissioning to engineering and project teams for use on future projects.

Required Qualifications

* 7+ years of hands-on experience in electrical testing and commissioning, with a strong background in NETA acceptance testing on power generation, substation, or industrial projects.

* Direct field experience conducting NETA acceptance testing on cables, switch gear, power transformers, instrument…