Lead Relay Technician - Utility & High-Voltage Protection

Asplundh Tree Expert

$75K — $95K *
Energy & Utilities
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 10+ years of hands-on experience in protective relaying for utility substations
  • Demonstrated experience testing medium- to high-voltage (5kV-500kV) protection systems
  • Strong working knowledge of microprocessor-based relays
  • Experience with modern relay test platforms
  • Solid understanding of utility safety rules and lockout/tagout procedures
  • Ability to interpret protection diagrams and AC/DC schematics
  • Valid driver's license and ability to lift up to 70 lbs.

Responsibilities

  • Lead job briefings and safety tailboards to reinforce safety culture
  • Perform protective relay testing, calibration, troubleshooting, and commissioning
  • Test and validate transmission and distribution protection schemes
  • Verify control and protection circuits for various utility equipment
  • Support outage planning, energization, and restoration activities
  • Perform event analysis and disturbance investigations
  • Lead and mentor onsite technicians and coordinate work execution

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage starting on day one
  • Retirement plan for financial security
  • Company-provided life insurance
  • Variety of voluntary Aflac supplemental insurance programs
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for personal and professional support
  • Paid time off and paid holidays
  • Access to employee discount programs
Full Job Description
Description

About the Role

The Senior Relay Technician plays a critical role in ensuring the safe, reliable operation of medium- and high-voltage utility substations through advanced protective relay testing, commissioning, and maintenance activities.

This position is ideal for professionals with a utility background who have hands-on experience testing and commissioning transmission and distribution protection systems. You will serve as a technical lead in the field, guide crews through complex outage work, and reinforce Asplundh's reputation for safety, precision, and service excellence.

We are experiencing strong growth and are immediately hiring Senior Relay Technicians with deep expertise in protection and control, relay schemes, and substation energization. If you enjoy solving complex protection challenges, leading safe work execution, and influencing system reliability at scale, we'd like to speak with you.

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer at the time of hire. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

What You'll Do

  • Lead job briefings and safety tailboards, reinforcing a "Safety First, Always" field culture
  • Perform protective relay testing, calibration, troubleshooting, and commissioning on medium- and high-voltage systems
  • Test and validate transmission and distribution protection schemes, including:
    • Distance, differential, overcurrent, breaker failure, and bus protection
  • Verify control and protection circuits for:
    • Power transformers
    • Medium- and high-voltage circuit breakers
    • Feeder relays
    • Capacitor banks and reactors
  • Support outage planning, switching coordination, energization, and restoration activities
  • Perform event analysis, relay target review, and disturbance investigations
  • Lead and mentor onsite technicians; coordinate work execution with project managers, system operators, and utility customers
  • Create and maintain accurate test reports, as-left settings, and field documentation
  • Participate in job walks, project estimating, and customer technical discussions
  • Serve as a technical resource and trainer for developing relay technicians

Travel Requirements:
Work is performed at customer sites throughout the assigned region. Regular regional travel is required, with opportunities for extended assignments outside the region as needed.
• Company vehicle provided for regional work-related travel.

What You Bring

  • 10+ years of hands-on experience in protective relaying for utility substations
  • Demonstrated experience testing medium- to high-voltage (5kV-500kV) protection systems
  • Strong working knowledge of microprocessor-based relays
  • Experience with modern relay test platforms
  • Solid understanding of utility safety rules, energized work practices, and lockout/tagout procedures
  • Ability to interpret:
    • Protection diagrams
    • AC/DC schematics
    • Wiring and logic drawings
  • Valid driver's license; ability to work outdoors, travel, and lift up to 70 lbs

Education & Credentials

  • NETA Level III or IV Certification preferred for Senior roles
    (Candidates at other NETA levels are encouraged to apply for opportunities across the organization)
  • Experience with:
    • Circuit breakers
    • Power transformers
    • Switchgear
    • RTUs and substation communications
  • Technical degree, apprenticeship, or military electrical training
  • OSHA 10 or OSHA 30
  • Valid driver's license with a clean driving history

What We Offer

At Asplundh Electrical Testing, we invest in the well-being of our people. Eligible employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package designed to support their health, financial security, and work-life balance, including:

  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage starting on day one
  • Retirement plan to help you secure your future
  • Company-provided life insurance for added peace of mind
  • Supplemental life insurance options, including spouse and child coverage
  • A variety of voluntary Aflac supplemental insurance programs
  • Long-term disability coverage
  • Pre-paid legal plan
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support personal and professional well-being
  • Paid time off to recharge and refresh
  • Paid holidays
  • Access to employee discount programs and helpful resources

*Benefits listed above are available to eligible employees. Eligibility requirements and plan provisions apply

Please note: For roles that fall within union-represented territories, certain benefits and employment terms may differ from what's listed here. In those cases, the applicable local union agreement will guide the specific benefits and provisions. We're committed to transparency and will walk you through what applies to your location during the hiring process.

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