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Freelance Protection Relay Testing Jobs in Pennsylvania

This role is responsible for the commissioning and testing of protection & control schemes and ... relay", meter, Remote Terminal Unit (RTU), Digital Fault Recorder/Transient Recorder (DFR), or ...

This role is responsible for the commissioning and testing of protection & control schemes and ... relay", meter, Remote Terminal Unit (RTU), Digital Fault Recorder/Transient Recorder (DFR), or ...

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Freelance Protection Relay Testing information

What is freelance protection relay testing?

Freelance protection relay testing involves independently assessing and verifying the functionality of protection relays in electrical power systems. These relays are critical for detecting faults and safeguarding equipment by triggering circuit breakers during abnormal conditions. Freelance testers are not tied to a single employer and are often contracted by utilities, industrial plants, or engineering firms to ensure relays are correctly installed, configured, and performing to standards. The role typically requires technical expertise, specialized testing equipment, and knowledge of industry standards such as IEC or IEEE.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a freelance protection relay testing engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Freelance Protection Relay Testing Engineer, you need a strong background in electrical engineering, in-depth knowledge of protection schemes, and hands-on experience with relay testing, typically supported by a relevant degree or certification. Familiarity with specialized relay testing equipment (such as Omicron, Doble, or Megger), report generation software, and industry standards like IEC or IEEE is crucial. Attention to detail, strong analytical thinking, and effective communication are standout soft skills for collaborating with clients and resolving complex technical issues. These skills ensure accurate system protection, compliance with safety standards, and client satisfaction in critical power system environments.

What are some common challenges freelance protection relay testers face when working independently, and how can they be addressed?

Freelance protection relay testers often encounter challenges such as coordinating schedules with multiple clients, managing travel to various substations, and ensuring access to up-to-date testing equipment and software. Additionally, staying current with evolving industry standards and maintaining thorough documentation for each project can be demanding without the support of a larger team. Building a strong professional network, investing in ongoing training, and utilizing specialized project management tools can help address these challenges and maintain high-quality service.

What is the difference between Freelance Protection Relay Testing vs Protection Relay Testing?

AspectFreelance Protection Relay TestingProtection Relay Testing
CredentialsTypically requires electrical certifications and relay testing trainingRequires similar certifications, often with additional industry-specific licenses
Work EnvironmentIndependent, on-site or remote testing for various clientsUsually within utility companies, power plants, or industrial facilities
Employer/Industry UsageSelf-employed or subcontractor in electrical power industryEmployed by utilities, power generation, or industrial firms

Freelance Protection Relay Testing involves independent work testing relays for multiple clients, often requiring certifications and flexible work settings. Protection Relay Testing typically refers to in-house or contracted testing within utility or industrial environments, with a focus on maintaining power system reliability.

What are popular job titles related to Freelance Protection Relay Testing jobs in Pennsylvania?

For Freelance Protection Relay Testing jobs in Pennsylvania, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Freelance Protection Relay Testing jobs in Pennsylvania look for?

The top searched job categories for Freelance Protection Relay Testing jobs in Pennsylvania are:

What cities in Pennsylvania are hiring for Freelance Protection Relay Testing jobs?

Cities in Pennsylvania with the most Freelance Protection Relay Testing job openings:

Relay Testing Professional

Qualus

Philadelphia, PA • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 12 days ago


Qualus rating

9.3

Company rating: 9.3 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

26th of 453 rated engineering


Job description

Position Overview
Power your future with Qualus in our Field Engineering department! We are seeking experienced Relay Testing Professionals at the Level III, Senior, and Lead levels who are passionate about power system protection, technical excellence, and mentoring the next generation of field technicians & engineers. This role is responsible for the commissioning and testing of protection & control schemes and systems for customers' electric utility substation and plant location, including but not limited to the range of Intelligent Electronic Devices (IED). Such schemes and systems are commonly applied to protect, monitor, and control utility distribution, transmission, and power plant assets. The systems and schemes include SCADA systems and the communications media between IEDs, whether considered a "relay", meter, Remote Terminal Unit (RTU), Digital Fault Recorder/Transient Recorder (DFR), or interfacing with an IEC-61850 or other multifunction media converter or intelligent logic device.
Incentives
  • Sign-on/Relocation Bonus.
  • External and Internal Referral Bonuses.
  • Per Diem.
  • Company Truck for company and personal use.
  • Career development opportunities, including strong mentors and company investment.
  • Travel Schedule & Paid Travel Home: 3 weeks travel to client site with paid housing and long weekend (~3 days) home.
  • Location: Candidate may live anywhere in the US and travel to the client location if relocation is not preferred.

Responsibilities
  • Red-lines design documents throughout the drawing set (Single Line, AC/DC Elementary, Wiring, Panel Arrangement, and Bill of Material/Material List)
  • Performs End-To-End testing
  • Performs IED testing, both manually and with operating automated test sets (such as the Doble 6150, Omicron, Manta) for protection & control schemes.
  • Identifies common risks associated with testing and commissioning those schemes and systems.
  • Develops test plans, risk assessments, and practical application of basic protection & control systems and schemes
  • Analyzes scope and drawing interpretations to create comprehensive functional guidelines and risk assessments
  • Leads people and tasks within a larger project, or provide technical and people leadership on projects with well-defined scopes of work
  • Performs weekly site safety inspections
  • Leads the application of HP with the approval of the Project Lead
  • Supports Company and Customer policies and procedures

Minimum Qualifications
  • 5+ years' experience in relay testing and commissioning in substations. Job level will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.
  • Associate degree holders and candidates with equivalent technical training may be classified as Technicians, while candidates holding a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field from an accredited program may be classified as Engineers.
  • Experience in handling simple volt-ohm-meter and working with hand tools.
  • Experience in reading and interpreting One Line, AC & DC Elementary and Wiring diagrams.
  • Ability to perform regular field work in various work environments, conditions and weather.
  • Valid driver's license and good driving record.
  • Ability to communicate effectively in English (inclusive of reading and writing) due to the nature of safety-related materials, documentation, and interactions with clients.

#LI-AM2
Benefits & Compensation
Qualus benefits offered include Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short and Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays, for those who qualify.
The final salary awarded for this role may vary from the above range based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs. The salary range provided in this job posting may be subject to change for business purposes.
Company Overview
Qualus is a leading pure-play power solutions firm and innovator at the forefront of power infrastructure transformation, with differentiated capabilities across grid modernization, resiliency, security, and sustainability. The firm partners with utilities, commercial, industrial, data center, and government clients, and renewable and energy storage developers, offering comprehensive solutions through boutique and integrated advisory, planning, engineering, digital solutions, program management, energy efficiency and specialized field services. Qualus also provides software and technology enabled services and develops breakthrough solutions for critical power industry challenges such as distributed and variable resource integration, emergency management, and secure data exchange. The firm has over 2,000 professionals, with offices throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Equal Opportunity Employer
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We are committed to providing an inclusive workplace and do not discriminate on any grounds protected by applicable human rights legislation across Canada and the US.
We are committed to a secure and transparent hiring process. We do not request payment or sensitive personal information, such as Social Security numbers or banking details, during the application process. Please use caution and verify opportunities through our official channels.

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