Energization Engineer - Electrical Subject Matter Expert (SME)

FusionIRX is seeking an exceptional, highly experienced Energization Engineer - Electrical Subject Matter Expert (SME) to provide technical leadership, engineering oversight, and coordination of electrical energization activities for a large-scale, state-of-the-art semiconductor fabrication manufacturing construction project.

The ideal candidate will possess a minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible electrical engineering experience, including substantial expertise in medium-voltage and low-voltage electrical distribution systems, electrical construction, equipment testing, power system energization, and commissioning within complex industrial or mission-critical facilities.

The Energization Engineer SME will serve as a senior technical authority responsible for developing, reviewing, coordinating, and overseeing electrical energization strategies, procedures, readiness assessments, and system startup activities. This individual will play a critical role in ensuring that newly constructed electrical infrastructure is properly installed, thoroughly tested, technically ready, and safely transitioned from construction into energized and operational service.

This position requires advanced electrical engineering knowledge, exceptional technical judgment, strong problem-solving capabilities, and extensive experience coordinating multiple contractors, engineering disciplines, commissioning teams, and electrical operations personnel in a fast-paced, schedule-driven construction environment.

The successful candidate must possess a comprehensive understanding of electrical power distribution, protective devices, system configurations, electrical safety, hazardous energy control, and the technical requirements associated with safely energizing complex electrical infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities
1. Electrical Energization Engineering & Technical Leadership

Serve as the senior electrical technical resource responsible for the planning, engineering review, coordination, and oversight of electrical energization activities throughout the construction and commissioning lifecycle.

• Develop and review comprehensive electrical energization plans, procedures, and system startup strategies.
• Provide engineering oversight for the energization of medium-voltage and low-voltage electrical distribution systems.
• Establish technical prerequisites and readiness criteria for electrical system energization.
• Review electrical system designs, configurations, and distribution architectures to identify potential energization concerns.
• Evaluate power distribution sequences and determine appropriate technical requirements for staged system energization.
• Coordinate energization planning with electrical engineering, construction management, commissioning, QA/QC, Energy Marshals, EHS, and owner representatives.
• Review construction completion status, testing results, equipment readiness, and outstanding technical deficiencies.
• Identify potential electrical hazards, equipment protection concerns, and operational risks.
• Provide technical recommendations regarding energization readiness and unresolved engineering issues.
• Support the safe transition of electrical systems from construction through initial energization, commissioning, and operational turnover.
• Lead technical discussions and troubleshoot complex energization challenges.

2. Medium-Voltage & Low-Voltage Electrical Power Distribution

Provide technical oversight for the energization and startup of electrical power distribution infrastructure serving semiconductor manufacturing operations.

Systems and equipment may include:

• Medium-voltage electrical switchgear and distribution systems.
• Primary and secondary electrical substations.
• Medium-voltage transformers and associated protective equipment.
• Low-voltage switchgear and switchboards.
• Electrical distribution panels and panelboards.
• Motor Control Centers (MCCs).
• Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) and motor starters.
• Automatic Transfer Switches (ATS).
• Static Transfer Switches (STS).
• Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems.
• Emergency and standby generator systems.
• Critical power distribution equipment.
• Power Distribution Units (PDUs).
• Electrical busways and bus duct systems.
• Medium-voltage and low-voltage feeder circuits.
• Protective relays, circuit breakers, and associated protection systems.
• Electrical grounding and bonding systems.
• Electrical power monitoring, metering, and control systems.
• Electrical distribution serving cleanrooms, critical utilities, and semiconductor manufacturing equipment.

Responsibilities include:

• Review and interpret electrical single-line diagrams, schematics, protection diagrams, equipment specifications, and power distribution plans.
• Evaluate electrical system configurations and interconnections before energization.
• Verify compatibility of equipment ratings, system voltages, protection settings, and operating requirements.
• Review electrical equipment installation and testing documentation.
• Coordinate technical readiness of upstream and downstream electrical distribution equipment.
• Assess the potential effects of energization on interconnected electrical and mechanical systems.
• Identify deficiencies or configuration conflicts that could compromise electrical system safety or reliability.

3. Pre-Energization Readiness Assessments

Lead and participate in comprehensive pre-energization readiness reviews to verify that electrical systems are technically prepared for safe startup.

• Develop and review pre-energization inspection checklists and readiness requirements.
• Conduct electrical system walkdowns with construction, commissioning, QA/QC, and electrical operations personnel.
• Verify construction completion and installation compliance with approved engineering drawings and specifications.
• Review equipment inspection records, installation documentation, and manufacturer's startup requirements.
• Verify completion of required electrical testing and applicable corrective actions.
• Review protective relay settings, breaker configurations, and coordination requirements.
• Confirm the availability of required electrical system studies and approved operating configurations.
• Evaluate the status of grounding systems, cable terminations, equipment labeling, and electrical protection devices.
• Review outstanding punch-list items, deficiencies, nonconformances, and incomplete construction activities.
• Identify conditions that could result in equipment damage, personnel injury, unintended energization, or system instability.
• Review temporary power connections, alternate power sources, and potential electrical backfeed conditions.
• Coordinate resolution of energization readiness deficiencies.
• Document technical recommendations and participate in formal system readiness reviews.

No electrical system shall be recommended for energization until applicable engineering, construction, testing, safety, and operational readiness requirements have been satisfied or formally addressed through an approved exception process. Safety-critical deficiencies shall not be waived merely to meet schedule milestones.
4. Electrical Testing & Equipment Verification

Provide engineering oversight and technical evaluation of electrical testing activities required to establish energization readiness.

Testing activities may include:

• Insulation resistance testing.
• Cable testing and electrical continuity verification.
• Transformer testing and inspection.
• Circuit breaker inspection and functional testing.
• Protective relay testing and settings verification.
• Grounding system testing and verification.
• Equipment bonding and grounding inspections.
• Switchgear and switchboard acceptance testing.
• Medium-voltage cable acceptance testing.
• Current transformer and voltage transformer verification.
• Electrical metering and monitoring system testing.
• Control circuit and interlock testing.
• Phase identification and phase sequence verification.
• UPS and battery system testing.
• ATS functional testing.
• Motor starter and VFD functional verification.
• Emergency power system testing.
• Integrated electrical system testing.

Responsibilities include:

• Review testing procedures, acceptance criteria, and equipment manufacturer requirements.
• Coordinate with qualified electrical testing organizations, equipment manufacturers, and commissioning personnel.
• Witness designated tests and review completed test documentation.
• Analyze test results and identify discrepancies or technical concerns.
• Verify that required corrective actions are completed before energization.
• Review equipment protection and control functionality.
• Support resolution of electrical equipment testing failures and abnormal conditions.
• Ensure acceptance testing documentation supports the system's readiness for energization.

5. Electrical Protection, Coordination & System Studies

Provide technical expertise regarding electrical system protection, reliability, and safe operation.

• Review short-circuit studies and available fault-current calculations.
• Evaluate protective device coordination studies and approved settings.
• Review arc-flash hazard assessments and associated electrical safety requirements.
• Verify that electrical equipment ratings are appropriate for calculated system conditions.
• Review protective relay configurations and control schemes.
• Evaluate circuit breaker protection settings and trip functions.
• Coordinate review of transformer protection and system grounding arrangements.
• Assess potential impacts of electrical system modifications on protection and coordination.
• Identify protection-related deficiencies that could affect safe energization.
• Review electrical fault detection, alarm, and protective shutdown requirements.
• Coordinate with the engineer of record, system protection specialists, and equipment manufacturers regarding technical discrepancies.
• Support resolution of complex protection and coordination issues before systems are released for operation.

6. Energization Sequencing & Method of Procedure (MOP)

Develop, review, and coordinate electrical energization sequences and Methods of Procedure (MOPs) for complex power distribution systems.

• Establish proposed energization sequences based on system configuration, construction completion, testing readiness, and operational requirements.
• Review detailed electrical switching and energization procedures prepared by authorized personnel.
• Coordinate energization schedules, system dependencies, and technical prerequisites.
• Evaluate potential downstream impacts before power is introduced to electrical distribution equipment.
• Review equipment operating configurations, protection settings, interlocks, and control requirements.
• Identify potential backfeed conditions, redundant power sources, and system interdependencies.
• Participate in pre-energization briefings and technical readiness meetings.
• Verify that communication protocols, personnel responsibilities, and contingency arrangements are established.
• Review energization hold points, verification steps, and system response requirements.
• Coordinate technical support during energization events.
• Evaluate abnormal system responses and recommend appropriate technical actions.
• Support post-energization inspections, monitoring, and performance verification.
• Document energization results, technical observations, and outstanding issues.

Electrical switching, authorization to energize, and hazardous energy control shall be performed only by designated, qualified, and authorized personnel in accordance with approved project procedures. The Energization Engineer provides technical oversight and may perform such activities only when separately qualified and expressly authorized.
7. Electrical Safety & Hazardous Energy Control Coordination

Work closely with the Electrical Energy Marshal, EHS personnel, and designated electrical authorities to ensure energization activities are conducted in accordance with established safety requirements.

• Review electrical hazards associated with planned energization activities.
• Coordinate technical requirements with electrical hazardous energy control and LOTO procedures.
• Participate in electrical risk assessments, Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs), and pre-task planning.
• Review shock and arc-flash hazards associated with electrical system conditions.
• Verify that applicable electrical work boundaries, access restrictions, and protective requirements are established.
• Coordinate technical readiness with personnel responsible for electrical isolation and switching activities.
• Identify potential unintended energization, electrical backfeed, and stored energy hazards.
• Review system configurations involving UPS systems, generators, batteries, and redundant distribution equipment.
• Support safe coordination of simultaneous construction and energization activities.
• Participate in incident investigations, technical reviews, and corrective action development.
• Exercise stop-work authority in accordance with established project procedures.
• Escalate unresolved electrical safety concerns immediately.

8. Semiconductor Manufacturing & Critical Facility Infrastructure

Provide specialized energization engineering support for electrical infrastructure serving semiconductor fabrication and associated critical facility systems.

Systems may include:

• Semiconductor manufacturing production facilities.