National Electrical Engineering Consultants (NEEC) provides full-service engineering and field support for utilities and renewable developers across the United States. Our core expertise includes Protection & Control (P&C) Substations, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), Solar, and Renewable Energy Integration. NEEC’s commissioning team ensures that every system operates safely, efficiently, and in compliance with the highest industry standards.

Position Overview

The Commissioning Engineer – Protection & Control (P&C) is responsible for the testing, verification, and energization of substation protection, control, and automation systems. This role ensures that all equipment and protection schemes function as designed, meet utility and regulatory standards, and operate safely and reliably. The position requires extensive field experience, technical expertise, and collaboration with design, construction, and utility teams during substation and renewable project commissioning.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead or assist in the commissioning of protection and control systems for high-voltage substations (ranging from 4 kV to 500 kV).
• Perform functional and acceptance testing of protective relays, control panels, and SCADA/RTU interfaces.
• Review and verify protection settings, wiring diagrams, logic, and point-to-point checks for all devices and circuits.
• Execute end-to-end relay testing using advanced test equipment (e.g., Omicron, Doble, Megger).
• Validate and document breaker operations, tripping logic, alarms, and interlocks.
• Troubleshoot field issues related to control circuits, communications, and relay logic during energization.
• Coordinate with engineering, construction, and utility representatives to ensure all commissioning tasks align with project requirements.
• Develop and maintain test reports, as-built documentation, and commissioning records.
• Ensure compliance with NERC, IEEE, and utility standards as well as company safety and quality procedures.
• Mentor and support junior engineers or technicians on P&C systems and testing practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent field experience.
• 3-7 years of direct experience in substation or power system commissioning, with emphasis on P&C systems.
• Proficiency with protective relays (SEL, GE, ABB, Siemens, etc.) and associated software (AcSELerator, Enervista, DIGSI).
• Strong understanding of AC/DC control circuits, CT/PT configurations, logic diagrams, and communication protocols (DNP3, Modbus, IEC 61850).
• Skilled in the use of test sets such as Omicron CMC, Doble F6150, or similar.
• Excellent documentation and reporting skills.
• Ability to read and interpret schematics, single-line diagrams, and wiring drawings.
• Willingness to travel to field sites nationwide and work in substation environments.

Preferred Skills

• Experience in utility or EPC substation projects.
• Familiarity with relay coordination, RTU/SCADA integration, and IEC 61850 GOOSE testing.
• Knowledge of battery systems, solar, and renewable integration.
• OSHA 10/30 certification and NFPA 70E safety training preferred.

Work Environment

This is a field-based position that requires travel to substations and renewable project sites across the U.S. Work may include outdoor environments, energized yards, and construction settings. Adherence to safety procedures and PPE requirements is mandatory.