Senior Commissioning Engineer

Electrical Commissioning Manager / Senior CxA (MV/HV)

What this role does

• Leads the commissioning, testing, and energization of medium‑ and high‑voltage electrical infrastructure
• Oversees the transition from construction to live power operations
• Manages testing teams, installation contractors, and commissioning specialists
• Enforces strict electrical safety, switching, and maintenance standards

Travel requirements

• Primary project located in the Chicago area with expected long‑term site involvement (3‑5+ years)
• Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally or offshore as needed
• Participate in Factory Witness Testing (FWT) at global manufacturing facilities prior to equipment shipment
• Travel to vendor locations to witness testing of transformers, switch gear, GIS, protection systems, and other critical electrical equipment
• Represent the owner/client during factory acceptance and commissioning activities
• Occasional short‑notice travel may be required to support project schedules and equipment delivery timelines

Key Responsibilities

• Lead commissioning activities from pre‑commissioning through final energization
• Oversee Level 1‑5 commissioning program
• Manage testing and startup of transformers, switch gear, substations, GIS, and protection systems

Factory Witness Testing

• Travel internationally to witness factory testing of electrical equipment
• Verify equipment quality and compliance before shipment
• Coordinate installation crews, testing contractors, vendors, and commissioning teams
• Ensure a smooth transition from construction to operations

Safety & Compliance

• Establish and enforce high‑voltage safety procedures
• Manage switching orders, LOTO programs, work permits, and energization protocols
• Serve as or direct Authorized Person (AP) / Senior Authorized Person (SAP) activities

Technical Oversight

• Review relay testing results and protection system performance
• Support troubleshooting of relay operations, protection schemes, and grid disturbances
• Review COMTRADE files, secondary injection testing results, and system statuses

Stakeholder Coordination

• Work directly with EPC firms, utilities, equipment manufacturers, and regulatory agencies
• Coordinate all technical activities required for energization

Documentation & Quality

• Review and approve FAT (Factory Acceptance Testing) and SAT (Site Acceptance Testing)

Equipment Experience Needed

• Utility substations
• Power transformers
• Transmission and distribution systems
• Generator Step‑Up (GSU) transformers

• MV switch gear
• Circuit breakers
• Loop switches
• Distribution systems

• Dip switches
• Controls
• SEL relays
• CADA systems
• EPMS (Emergency Power Management Systems)

Ideal Candidate

• 8+ years of MV/HV commissioning experience
• Experience in utility, substation, data center, or industrial power infrastructure
• Strong relay and protection systems knowledge
• Experience leading energization activities
• Familiar with utility coordination and switching procedures
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering preferred
• AP/SAP certification preferred
• Valid passport and willingness to travel internationally