Freelance Protection Relay Testing Jobs in Tempe, AZ

Job Summary:

The Field Service Technician - Development Program is a full-time, entry-level technical role filled through the POWERX National Technician Development Program. New hires complete five weeks of paid, structured classroom and hands-on training - covering workplace electrical safety, power systems fundamentals, schematic and blueprint reading, protection and control, testing and commissioning, and microprocessor relay testing - before deploying to the field.

Once in the field, the technician performs a broad range of electrical field testing, commissioning, and service activities on power systems equipment at customer sites nationwide, from basic measurements and test-equipment setup to acceptance and maintenance testing. Technicians begin by assisting senior technicians with foundational tasks and progressively take on more independent work as they gain experience and certifications, including NETA. Over time they can grow into specialized testing, protection and controls (P&C), or commissioning-focused work. The role exists to build a pipeline of qualified, safety-first field technicians who support POWERX's testing, commissioning, and field service commitments to customers nationwide.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None

Duties/Responsibilities:

Testing & Commissioning Support

• Assist senior technicians with electrical field testing, commissioning, and service activities on power systems equipment at customer sites, from basic measurements to acceptance and maintenance testing.
• Execute assigned test points and procedures accurately, taking on more independent testing as experience and certifications grow.

Electrical Safety & Hazard Control

• Apply NFPA 70E requirements and site-specific safety rules on energized and de-energized equipment, including PPE, lockout/tagout (LOTO), and live-dead-live verification.
• Complete daily job hazard analyses (JHAs), and recognize, report, and help mitigate electrical hazards before they become incidents.

Test Equipment Setup & Operation

• Set up and operate relay test sets (Doble, Omicron, Megger), insulation-resistance testers, HiPot equipment, digital multimeters, and power-quality analyzers.
• Build growing proficiency with RTS and relay-programming software to support relay, breaker, and transformer testing.
• Work with relay test sets (Doble, Omicron, Megger), RTS test software, insulation-resistance testers (megohmmeters), high-potential (HiPot) test equipment, digital multimeters, clamp-on power-quality analyzers, standard hand tools, and a laptop or tablet for data logging and relay-programming software.

Documentation & Reporting

• Record test data accurately and, as proficiency grows, help develop test procedures, checkout summaries, and professional reports.
• Use Microsoft Office and Excel to document and report field results clearly.

Training, Certification & Development

• Complete all five weeks of the POWERX National Technician Development Program and continue on-the-job learning in the field.
• Pursue industry certifications and credentials, including NETA, with company support.

Customer-Site Representation

• Represent POWERX professionally at client sites nationwide, maintaining punctuality and adhering to site-specific safety and access requirements at all times.
• Communicate test findings clearly and professionally to internal teams and customers.

Attributes/Abilities:

• Must pass a satisfactory background check and motor vehicle record (MVR) check.
• Must pass pre-employment, post-accident, reasonable-suspicion, and random drug and alcohol screening.
• Basic understanding of electrical theory and power systems fundamentals, with the ability to learn and apply testing standards and NFPA 70E safety requirements on live equipment.
• Ability to read wire schematics and one-line diagrams, and to review scopes of work and drawings.
• Growing proficiency with Doble, Omicron, Megger, and RTS test software for relay, breaker, and transformer testing.
• Sound safety judgment, with strict and consistent adherence to PPE, LOTO, live-dead-live verification, and daily JHAs as site conditions change.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with professional, customer-facing interpersonal skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and maintain attention to detail while working independently in variable field conditions.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Excel for documentation and reporting.
• Coachability during the structured training period and a willingness to pursue industry certifications and credentials.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively and adapt to changing schedules, sites, and crews.

Experience and Education:

• High school diploma or GED.
• Associate degree or a trade/technical school certificate or diploma, preferred.
• 0-1 years of experience; able to enter the role as an assistant technician performing foundational field-testing tasks under guidance.
• OSHA 30-hour, MSHA, NFPA 70E, CPR/First Aid/BBP/AED, or Power DB certificates or training, preferred.
• NETA (International Electrical Testing Association) certification - highly valued and can be pursued after hire with company support, preferred.
• Working knowledge of protective relay concepts and microprocessor-based relay testing, preferred.
• Progression toward 1-3 years of experience in specialized testing, protection and controls, or commissioning work.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Exposure to adverse conditions.
• Additional exposures include electrical hazards (arc-flash and shock risk near energized equipment), outdoor substation environments, and data center hot/cold aisles.
• Wear PPE that is mandated and required at divisional level.
• Ability to relocate to Phoenix, AZ for five weeks of paid, in-person training (company-provided housing) and to successfully complete all training requirements.