Freelance Protection Relay Testing Jobs in Washington, DC

We are seeking motivated Relay Technicians to support utility substation testing, commissioning, and protection & control (P&C) projects throughout Virginia, Maryland, and the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, with a significant concentration of work in Northern Virginia. This role provides the opportunity to work on major utility infrastructure projects driven by rapid data center expansion while developing advanced technical expertise in relay testing, commissioning, and power system protection.

Whether you are an experienced Relay Technician or a developing Mid-Level Relay Technician, this position offers long-term project stability, structured training, and a clear path for career growth.

• Perform protective relay testing and commissioning for transmission, distribution, and generation facilities.
• Execute functional, acceptance, maintenance, and end-to-end testing of protection and control systems.
• Verify protection schemes, relay settings, control circuits, and relay logic during commissioning activities.
• Support the startup, energization, and successful operation of substation protection systems.

• Diagnose and resolve issues within relay and protection systems by identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions.
• Review and interpret protection and control drawings, wiring diagrams, one-line diagrams, relay schematics, and logic diagrams.
• Provide technical support during outages, system cutovers, maintenance activities, and energization events.
• Ensure protection systems perform as intended and comply with utility requirements.

• Support utility substation projects involving testing, commissioning, maintenance, and modernization of protection and control systems.
• Collaborate with project teams to safely execute testing activities in accordance with utility standards and industry best practices.
• Utilize testing equipment and software platforms, including OMICRON and similar relay testing systems, for verification and diagnostics.
• Travel throughout the region to support ongoing infrastructure improvement projects.

• Senior Relay Technicians may independently lead testing and commissioning activities, oversee project execution, and mentor junior technicians.
• Mid-Level Relay Technicians will work closely with experienced relay professionals while continuing to develop toward independent project leadership.
• Participate in technical training and professional development programs designed to support career advancement.

• Approximately 2 to 5 years of hands-on experience in relay testing and protection & controls.

• 5 to 7+ years of relay and protection & controls experience, including utility-focused substation work.

• Experience performing functional, maintenance, acceptance, and end-to-end relay testing.
• Knowledge of relay commissioning, including verification of protection schemes, relay settings, control circuits, and logic functions.
• Strong understanding of protection and control systems and utility protection schemes.
• Experience working within transmission substations, distribution substations, and/or power generation facilities.
• Ability to troubleshoot relay and protection systems in field environments.
• Proficiency reading electrical drawings, relay schematics, wiring diagrams, one-line diagrams, and protection & control documentation.
• Experience using OMICRON or equivalent relay testing equipment.
• Ability to work independently or as part of a project team, depending on experience level.
• Willingness and ability to travel regionally as project needs require.

• Experience working for utilities, EPC firms, testing and commissioning organizations, utility contractors, or substation service providers.
• Familiarity with SEL, ABB, Siemens, and GE relay platforms.
• OSHA 10, OSHA 30, or related safety certifications.
• Knowledge of SCADA systems and fiber communications within utility substations.
• Experience supporting large utility programs such as Dominion Energy, Duke Energy, or comparable infrastructure projects.
• Interest in pursuing NETA certification and continued technical advancement.
• Strong commitment to safety, quality, and adherence to industry standards.

• Company-sponsored training and preparation for NETA certification.
• Dedicated technical training resources and structured development programs.
• Clear advancement pathways into Senior technical and project leadership roles.
• Ongoing opportunities to expand expertise in protection systems, commissioning, and utility infrastructure projects.

This is a field-based position supporting utility substations and related facilities across Northern Virginia and the Washington, D.C. region, including areas such as Ashburn, Loudoun County, Leesburg, Manassas, and surrounding communities.

The typical schedule consists of four 10-hour workdays, with frequent opportunities for overtime. Additional compensation may be available for Sunday work and special project requirements. Regional travel is expected, and when assignments require overnight stays, employees receive paid travel time, per diem, and hotel accommodations.

Team members are provided with the tools needed to succeed, including company vehicles or rental vehicles, laptops, mobile phones, and industry-standard testing equipment. The role offers the stability and resources of a large national organization while providing hands-on exposure to critical utility infrastructure projects supporting one of the fastest-growing data center markets in the country.

• Work on major utility infrastructure and substation modernization projects.
• Gain experience supporting one of the nation's largest data center growth regions.
• Receive company-sponsored NETA certification training.
• Enjoy long-term project stability with strong overtime opportunities.
• Access industry-leading testing equipment, vehicles, and technical resources.
• Grow your career through structured training, mentorship, and advancement programs.

*Per diem, vehicle, gas card offered for traveling individuals as well!

If you fit these qualifications and are interested in this opportunity schedule a meeting with a recruiter using this link: https://talentassistant.actalentservices.com/assistant/bookings/WvMB-22l

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Ashburn, VA.

The pay range for this position is $45.00 - $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 Ashburn,VA.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 18, 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 withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

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.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall 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 applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.