Job Title: Relay Technician / Lead Level Relay Technician
Job Description
This role supports testing, commissioning, troubleshooting, and maintenance of protection and control systems in transmission and distribution substations across Virginia, Maryland, and the Washington D.C. metro area. You will work on major utility infrastructure upgrades driven by significant data center growth and increasing electrical demand, with long-term project stability and strong opportunities for technical development and career advancement. Mid-level technicians typically bring 3–5 years of relay and protection & controls experience and work under the guidance of Lead technicians, while Lead technicians typically bring 5–7+ years of experience, lead projects, and mentor junior team members.
Responsibilities
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Perform protective relay testing and commissioning for transmission and distribution substations and generation facilities.
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Execute functional relay testing, acceptance testing, maintenance testing, relay commissioning, and end-to-end testing.
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Support utility substation testing, commissioning, and protection & controls activities for large-scale infrastructure upgrade projects.
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Troubleshoot protection and control systems, including analyzing relay operations, identifying root causes, and implementing corrective actions.
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Review and verify relay settings, protection schemes, relay logic, and control circuits to ensure proper system protection and coordination.
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Interpret and work from protection and control drawings, wiring diagrams, one-line diagrams, relay schematics, and logic diagrams.
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Use relay test sets and related equipment (such as OMICRON or similar relay testing platforms) to perform accurate and reliable testing.
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Support testing and commissioning activities at transmission substations, distribution substations, and generation facilities.
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Document test results, commissioning reports, and issues found during testing in a clear and accurate manner.
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Collaborate with project teams, utilities, contractors, and engineering personnel to plan, schedule, and execute field work safely and efficiently.
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For Lead-level roles, independently lead testing and commissioning activities on utility-level projects.
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For Lead-level roles, provide technical guidance, training, and mentorship to mid-level and junior relay technicians.
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Travel regionally to various substation sites and adapt to changing project locations and schedules.
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Adhere to all safety standards and procedures while working in high-voltage substation environments.
Essential Skills
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3–5 years of relay and protection & controls experience for mid-level technicians.
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5–7+ years of relay and protection & controls experience for Lead technicians.
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Strong fundamentals in protective relays and protection & controls (P&C).
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Hands-on experience with protective relay testing and relay commissioning.
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Experience with protection & controls systems, including protection schemes, relay logic, and control circuits.
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Proven utility substation experience in transmission and distribution environments.
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Experience supporting transmission substations, distribution substations, and generation facilities.
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Ability to perform functional relay testing, acceptance testing, maintenance testing, relay commissioning, and end-to-end testing.
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Experience with protection system troubleshooting and relay troubleshooting.
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Ability to interpret electrical schematics, P&C drawings, wiring diagrams, one-line diagrams, relay schematics, and logic diagrams.
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Experience using OMICRON or equivalent relay testing platforms.
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Ability to travel regionally to various project sites.
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For Lead technicians, ability to independently execute testing and commissioning activities on utility-level projects and lead project efforts.
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For Lead technicians, capability to mentor and support junior and mid-level technicians.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
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Experience working for or with utilities, utility contractors, EPC firms, testing and commissioning firms, or substation service companies.
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NETA certification (encouraged but not required; candidates are supported and incentivized to pursue certification).
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OSHA safety certifications such as OSHA 10 or OSHA 30.
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Experience with SEL relays.
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Experience with GE relays.
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Experience with ABB relays.
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Experience with Siemens relays.
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Experience with SCADA communications in substation environments.
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Experience with fiber communications related to protection and control systems.
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Exposure to large utility infrastructure programs and data center–driven power system projects.
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Interest in ongoing training and development, including participation in a structured NETA advancement program.
Work Environment
You will work primarily in utility substations and related facilities across Northern Virginia and the Washington D.C. metro area, with major project activity centered around Ashburn, Loudoun County, Leesburg, Manassas, and surrounding regions. The typical schedule consists of four 10-hour days, with regular opportunities for overtime; Sunday work may be compensated at a higher premium rate. The role requires regional travel, and when projects are beyond reasonable commuting distance, travel time is paid, per diem is provided, and hotel accommodations are arranged. You will use industry-standard relay testing equipment and software, including OMICRON and similar relay testing platforms, along with a company-provided or rental vehicle, laptop, company phone, and specialized testing equipment. The position involves working in active high-voltage substation environments where strict adherence to safety procedures, proper use of personal protective equipment, and compliance with utility and site-specific protocols are essential.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Ashburn, VA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $45.00 - $75.00/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Ashburn,VA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Aug 26, 2026.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.
