Sparus Holdings · 12 hours ago
Level 3 Protection & Control Relay Technician
Jersey City, NJ
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level
7+ years expSparus Holdings is seeking a Level 3 Protection & Control Relay Technician to serve as a senior field lead responsible for testing, commissioning, maintaining, and troubleshooting protection and control systems for substations. The role involves executing complex test plans, validating protection settings, leading field teams, and mentoring junior technicians while ensuring safety and compliance standards are met.
IndustrialProfessional Services
Responsibilities
Lead end‑to‑end commissioning of new or upgraded protection schemes (bus, line, transformer, feeder, capacitor bank, differential, distance, overcurrent, reclosing, sync check, breaker failure, transfer trip)
Perform and document functional testing of electromechanical, solid state, and microprocessor‑based relays (e.g., SEL/Schweitzer, GE Multilin, ABB/Hitachi, Siemens)
Execute end‑to‑end scheme checks: CT/PT/verifications, polarity/phasing, wiring checks, trip testing, interlocking, point‑to‑point SCADA/RTU/IED proving, time sync (IRIG‑B/PTP/NTP), and event capture validation
Use power system test sets (e.g., Omicron, Doble, Megger) to perform relay testing, including state‑sequencing, playback, and dynamic tests
Interpret and validate relay settings/logic against protection design, one‑lines/three‑lines, schematics, and protection coordination studies
Capture and analyze fault records and event reports; perform oscillography review to identify root cause and recommend corrective actions
Validate CT/VT ratios, burdens, saturation limits, and accuracy classes relative to protection functions
Commission and troubleshoot RTU/IED communications (DNP3/IEC 61850/Modbus), substation gateways, HMI, and remote alarming
Perform point‑to‑point testing with the control center; validate status/analog mapping, tagging, interlocks, and control permissives
Read and redline one‑line diagrams, three‑line diagrams, AC/DC schematics, wiring diagrams, panel layouts, and cable schedules
Develop and execute Method of Procedure (MOP)/Energization Plans, test forms, and as‑found/as‑left documentation
Maintain meticulous test records, configuration backups, relay settings files, and turnover packages
Act as field lead: plan work, assign tasks, interface with engineering, operations, construction, and vendors
Mentor and train Level 1–2 technicians, fostering safety, quality, and technical rigor
Enforce LOTO, arc‑flash boundaries, energized work permits, and applicable OSHA/utility safety practices
Adhere to NERC CIP handling of cyber assets and secure configuration practices when applicable
Support NERC/FERC, PRC standards testing intervals and documentation as required by the business
Qualification
Required
7+ years experience in P&C relay testing/commissioning in utility, EPC, or industrial power systems (or equivalent combination of education/experience)
Strong working knowledge of transmission and distribution protection schemes, substation equipment, and AC/DC control circuits
Proficiency with relay test sets (Omicron/Doble/Megger) and vendor software tools (e.g., SEL AcSELerator/QuickSet, GE EnerVista, ABB/PCM600)
Ability to interpret protection settings, logic diagrams, and apply protection coordination principles
Experience with SCADA/RTU/IED protocols (DNP3, IEC 61850 GOOSE/MMS preferred)
Valid driver's license; ability to travel and work irregular hours during cutovers or outages
Associate's degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technology or equivalent military/utility training required
Preferred
Certifications such as NICET (Power Testing), NETA (II/III/IV), ISA, or equivalent utility qualification
Experience with fault/event analysis, dynamic testing, and advanced protection applications (line differential, bus differential, distance, synchrophasors/PMU)
Familiarity with time synchronization (IRIG‑B/PTP), cybersecurity/NERC CIP fundamentals, and disturbance recording
Prior experience leading commissioning on greenfield/major brownfield substation projects (69–500 kV)
Proficiency with relay configuration management and file/version control practices
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering/Technology preferred (or equivalent experience)
Company
Sparus Holdings
Sparus is a holding company that owns operating businesses offering field, professional, and technology services to utilities.
501-1000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$7.5MKey Investors
NewSpring
2016-09-08Series Unknown· $7.5M
Leadership Team
R
Richard Summers
Chief Executive Officer
Recent News
Middle Market Growth
2023-12-23
2023-02-07
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