Job Description Summary:The Senior Commissioning Engineer is responsible for leading and supporting testing, commissioning, and initial energization activities for utility-scale high-voltage (HV) substations, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and photovoltaic (PV) facilities. This role requires some travel (approximately 20-30%) and active participation in field operations.
This position serves as the senior technical authority for commissioning engineering activities on assigned projects and functions as the primary engineering interface between Commissioning Project Management, Project Management, Engineering, Owners, Utilities, OEMs, and Field Services. The Senior Commissioning Engineer provides engineering oversight throughout project execution, develops complex energization strategies, exercises independent engineering judgment in resolving complex technical issues affecting the safe energization and commissioning of utility-scale electrical facilities, resolves technical issues affecting project delivery, approves Testing & Commissioning deliverables, and provides technical leadership and mentoring to commissioning personnel while ensuring compliance with project specifications, utility requirements, and applicable industry standards.
In addition to serving as the senior technical authority for commissioning engineering activities, this position provides direct supervision, mentoring, and development of Commissioning Engineers while promoting engineering excellence, consistent execution, and continuous improvement across the Testing & Commissioning organization.
This role is fully remote. Specific location details and expectations will be discussed during the interview process.
Job Description:*This job description reflects management's assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned
Position Responsibilities and Duties:- Attend Owner, Utility, and stakeholder meetings as requested by the Commissioning Manager (PM).
- Develop Testing & Commissioning (T&C) Plans aligned with project specifications, utility interconnection requirements, and industry standards.
- Develop, review, and execute detailed Initial Energization Procedures for HV substations, BESS Auxiliary power distribution systems and BESS and PV AC Power collection systems.
- Serve as the engineering authority for complex commissioning issues requiring technical evaluation and engineering judgment.
- Review protection and control philosophies, relay settings, and commissioning strategies to identify commissioning risks and verify readiness for safe system energization.
- Support the development and review of switching procedures, LOTO, Permit to Work, Red Rope, and System Under Test (SUT) programs.
- Lead and support initial substation energization activities, including readiness verification and field coordination.
- Perform high voltage switching operations as required for initial energization and commissioning activities.
- Review and approve completed commissioning and acceptance test reports, verifying that test results, data, and findings conform to project specifications, and contractual acceptance criteria. Identify non-conformances, direct corrective retesting or documentation revisions, and provide final engineering sign-off before release to the client.
- Perform or coordinate harmonic measurements and power quality assessments during commissioning and post-energization.
- Develop substation operations and training documentation and deliver onsite training to Owner and Operations personnel.
- Provide post-energization technical support, including system monitoring, troubleshooting, and commissioning closeout activities.
- Provide on-call technical support for site events, including system trips and abnormal operating conditions.
- Lead post-trip and equipment failure investigations. Direct the analytical approach and assign investigative tasks to the commissioning team.
- Document root cause findings using structured methodologies (5-Why, fishbone, fault tree analysis); prepare and formally release RCA reports for internal and client distribution.
- Identify, analyze, and recommend corrective actions.
- Track corrective action implementation to closure; verify effectiveness through post-repair functional testing and system return-to-service sign-off.
- Contribute lessons learned to commissioning procedures, design standards, and O&M documentation to prevent recurrence across the portfolio; lead cross-project dissemination of findings.
- Serve as the final technical reviewer and approver for Testing & Commissioning deliverables, including commissioning documentation, energization procedures, technical reports, test documentation, and turnover packages prior to client release.
- Review EPC contract exhibits and project documentation to define Testing & Commissioning scope of work and division of responsibility (DOR).
- Serve as the senior technical resource and engineering authority for the Commissioning Engineering team, providing guidance on complex technical issues, commissioning strategies, and engineering best practices.
- Conduct performance evaluations, establish development goals, provide regular coaching and feedback, and support career development for assigned engineering staff.
- Assign, prioritize, and coordinate engineering workload for Commissioning Engineers to ensure timely delivery of engineering deliverables across multiple projects.
- Provides engineering leadership and technical authority for utility-scale HV, BESS, and PV commissioning activities.
- Supervises and develops Commissioning Engineers while ensuring consistent engineering execution and technical quality.
- Exercises independent engineering judgment in support of safe and successful project energization.
Minimum Skills or Experience Requirements:- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from an accredited university. Equivalent experience may be considered.
- Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in testing, commissioning, and initial energization of utility-scale HV substations, BESS, and/or utility-scale PV facilities.
- Minimum of 5 years leading or serving as the primary technical engineer for commissioning and energization activities on complex utility-scale projects.
- Minimum of 5 years performing and directing high-voltage switching operations and supporting energized electrical systems.
- Minimum of 2 years of engineering leadership or supervisory experience required.
- Demonstrated expertise in power system protection, control systems, relay testing, electrical system analysis, power quality, harmonic analysis, and utility interconnection requirements.
- Demonstrated ability to independently resolve complex technical issues requiring engineering analysis and sound engineering judgment.
- Demonstrated experience developing commissioning plans, initial energization procedures, switching procedures, and technical work instructions.
- Experience reviewing and approving engineering deliverables, commissioning reports, and technical documentation.
- Experience leading technical investigations and root cause analyses for complex electrical system failures.
- Experience mentoring, supervising, or providing technical leadership to engineering staff.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interface effectively with Owners, Utilities, and internal stakeholders.
- Proven commitment to safety, demonstrated by an excellent safety record, consistent compliance with company and client safety programs, and adherence to applicable OSHA, NFPA 70E, and utility switching and clearance procedures, including work in energized and high-risk electrical environments.
- Professional Engineer (PE) license or ability to obtain.
- High voltage switching experience
- NETA Certification (Level II, III, or IV)
- Experience with harmonic analyzers and power quality monitoring equipment.
- Experience supporting post-energization operations or warranty periods.
- Experience reviewing protection coordination studies and relay settings.
- Experience with SEL, GE, ABB, Schweitzer, or comparable protection systems.
- Experience with utility interconnection and NERC/FERC compliance requirements.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without requiring employer sponsorship now or in the future.
Benefits:Employees (and their families) are eligible for medical, dental, vision, basic life and disability insurance. Employees can enroll in our company's 401(k) plan and are provided vacation, sick and holiday pay.
Compensation Range:$142,603.00 - $178,254.00
Pay Rate Type:Salary
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Job Number: J13753If you're interested in a meaningful career with a brighter future, join the SOLV Energy Team. 
