Freelance Protection Relay Testing Jobs in Texas



Job Description

The Relay Technician plays a key role in testing, commissioning, and maintaining protection and control systems across greenfield and brownfield substations, as well as various commercial and industrial environments. This role focuses on protective relay testing, relay logic and settings, and integration of protection schemes and SCADA communications to ensure the safe and reliable operation of power systems. The position offers exposure to complex grid protection systems, clear growth paths into senior and subject matter expert roles, and the opportunity to work on utility-scale infrastructure projects.

Responsibilities

• Perform protective relay testing for a variety of devices and manufacturers (such as SEL, GE, and similar) to validate correct operation and coordination.
• Conduct commissioning activities for substations and power systems, including functional testing of protection schemes, controls, and communications.
• Work in greenfield and brownfield substations at various stages of energization, as well as in commercial and industrial settings, following safety and procedural standards.
• Analyze and upload relay settings and logic, ensuring accurate configuration and alignment with protection and control requirements.
• Interpret and work from electrical schematics, one-line diagrams, and control drawings to execute testing, troubleshooting, and commissioning tasks.
• Perform electrical troubleshooting on protection and control circuits, identifying and resolving issues with relays, wiring, and associated equipment.
• Carry out relay logic analysis to verify correct operation of protection schemes and system integration.
• Support SCADA and communications setup and testing, including protocols such as Modbus and fiber-based communication links.
• Assist with system integration of protection schemes, substation controls, and SCADA systems to ensure seamless operation and data exchange.
• Participate in project and commissioning leadership activities, helping coordinate testing sequences, documentation, and schedules.
• Work with live current transformer (CT) circuits when required, following appropriate safety practices and procedures.
• Perform testing and verification of control and protection cables, including ringing out and continuity checks.
• Utilize test equipment such as Omicron or Doble test sets, along with associated software platforms like Test Universe or Protection Suite, to execute detailed test plans.
• Test and commission electromechanical relays when present in the system, ensuring proper performance and integration with modern protection schemes.
• Collaborate with engineering and field teams to support substation design and commissioning efforts, providing feedback from field testing and observations.
• Maintain accurate records of tests, settings, and commissioning activities, supporting project documentation and compliance requirements.
• Travel to various job sites within Texas, with occasional out-of-state travel, to perform on-site testing, commissioning, and troubleshooting.
• Adapt to fast-paced commissioning schedules and changing site conditions while maintaining high technical standards and attention to detail.

Essential Skills

• Strong knowledge of protection and control systems and their implementation in substations and power systems.
• Ability to understand and work with three-phase electrical systems and associated protection schemes.
• Hands-on experience with protective relay testing, including devices from manufacturers such as SEL and GE or similar.
• Proficiency in relay settings and logic analysis, including uploading and verifying settings in field devices.
• Experience with commissioning of substations and power systems, including protection, controls, and communications.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, one-line diagrams, and control drawings.
• Electrical troubleshooting skills for protection and control circuits and related equipment.
• Familiarity with SCADA and communications systems, including protocols such as Modbus and fiber-based networks.
• Understanding of protection schemes and system integration for substation controls and grid protection.
• Capability to provide project leadership or commissioning leadership support in field environments.
• Travel flexibility, including the ability to travel for short periods of time, typically up to two weeks, within Texas and occasionally out of state.
• Approximately 5 years of field experience in protection and controls testing preferred.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience developing relay settings for protection and control applications.
• Background in substation design and commissioning activities.
• Knowledge of remote terminal units (RTUs) and their role in protection and control systems.
• Familiarity with live CT work and safe practices when working on energized circuits.
• Experience testing and ringing out control and protection cables.
• Comfort using Omicron or Doble test sets and associated software platforms such as Test Universe or Protection Suite.
• Experience with electromechanical relays and their testing and maintenance.
• Certifications such as NETA II–IV or NICET are beneficial.
• Exposure to substation controls, SCADA systems, and communications including Goose and Modbus.
• Background in electrical engineering technology or related technical education is advantageous.
• Interest in and capability for project leadership and commissioning leadership roles as career progression.
• Motivation to grow into senior, lead, or subject matter expert positions in relay testing and grid protection.

Work Environment

This is a travel-heavy role with regional and nationwide assignments, where travel flexibility is required and typical trips may last up to two weeks. Work takes place primarily in substations, industrial sites, and utility environments, involving both outdoor yard work and indoor control-house activities. The position operates within fast-paced commissioning schedules and high-demand project timelines, requiring adaptability and strong organizational skills. You will use advanced test equipment such as Omicron and Doble test sets, work with SCADA and communications technologies including Modbus and fiber, and engage with complex grid protection systems and utility-scale infrastructure projects. Per diem and travel expenses are covered for field assignments, and the role offers strong compensation opportunities, including overtime, along with clear pathways for growth into senior, lead, and subject matter expert roles.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Amarillo, TX.

The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $75.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

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)

This is a fully onsite position in Amarillo,TX.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 22, 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.

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If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

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