Manager Power Transformer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Electrical Commissioning Manager 

Type: W2 Staffing | Full-Time 

Location: Santa Clarita, CA (On-site) 

Salary: $130K–$190K DOE 

Duration: 12+ months, with extension likely through 2027 

About the Role 

Innovation Consulting is partnered with a leading infrastructure and engineering services firm to recruit an Electrical Commissioning Manager for a utility capital improvement program at an operating natural gas compression and storage facility in the Santa Clarita area. The program involves the installation and commissioning of new medium- and high-voltage electrical infrastructure, including a new utility service connection, switchgear, power transformers, power distribution centers, load migration, and programmable logic controller installations, as part of an ongoing compressor modernization effort. Engineering is still in progress, and construction is advancing concurrently. 

The Electrical Commissioning Manager will serve as the on-site commissioning lead for the electrical scope, managing the sequencing of pre-commissioning and commissioning activities as systems are turned over from construction. Equally important, this person will serve as the primary communication bridge between the electrical construction contractor and the owner's Gas Engineering team — a function that is central to why this position exists. The ability to translate field conditions into clear, timely engineering-facing communication is as important as technical commissioning competency in this role. 

As a W2 employee of Innovation Consulting, you will be placed on assignment with our client for this engagement. The initial term is estimated at 12+ months, with extensions through 2027 and beyond expected as construction and commissioning scope advances. 

Key Responsibilities 

Commissioning Management 

• Develop and maintain the electrical commissioning plan, including system turnover sequence, pre-commissioning checksheets, and acceptance criteria for each phase of the electrical scope 
• Manage the commissioning database, tracking system completion status, punch list items, and sign-off documentation through closeout 
• Oversee pre-commissioning and commissioning activities for incoming medium- and high-voltage switchgear, power transformers, power distribution centers, motor control centers, and associated conductors and terminations 
• Manage load migration activities, verifying that circuit transfers are performed per approved procedures and that new distribution infrastructure is accepted prior to load transfer 
• Direct pre-energization checks, protective relay testing, and energization sequences, coordinating vendor and OEM support as required 
• Oversee commissioning of PLC panels and control systems in coordination with controls and instrumentation personnel 

Contractor and Engineering Coordination 

• Serve as the primary interface between the electrical construction contractor and the owner's Gas Engineering team, ensuring field activities, RFIs, and open engineering issues are communicated clearly and resolved in a timely manner 
• Translate field conditions, construction sequencing changes, and commissioning status into structured, engineering-facing reporting that supports design decisions and schedule management 
• Facilitate coordination meetings between the contractor, engineering, and owner's operations staff; maintain clear records of decisions, open items, and action assignments 
• Identify and escalate contractor communication gaps or unresolved engineering issues before they affect commissioning sequencing or schedule 

Documentation and Reporting 

• Maintain commissioning progress reports, punch list status, and milestone tracking for distribution to the project team 
• Ensure commissioning documentation packages — checksheets, test records, completion certificates, and as-built markups — are complete and accepted prior to system turnover 
• Produce clear, accurate field records that support both engineering review and owner acceptance 

Safety 

• Enforce commissioning safety protocols and ensure all activities are performed in accordance with the site safety plan, applicable codes, and the owner's operating procedures 
• Participate in hazard analyses, job safety analyses, and pre-activity briefings for commissioning work on live or partially energized systems 

Qualifications 

Required 

• Minimum 5 years of experience in electrical commissioning, construction management, or field engineering roles on utility, industrial, or heavy infrastructure projects 
• Demonstrated experience with medium- and high-voltage electrical systems (typically 5kV–115kV), including switchgear, power transformers, and distribution equipment 
• Prior experience serving as a coordination or communication interface between a construction contractor and an owner's engineering team  
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, one-line diagrams, P&IDs, equipment submittals, and project specifications 
• Working knowledge of NEC, NFPA 70E, and applicable California electrical codes and standards 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to produce clear, structured field and commissioning reports for an engineering audience 
• OSHA 10 certification (construction industry) 

Preferred 

• Prior commissioning or construction management experience on natural gas utility capital improvement programs, compressor station projects, or utility substation work 
• Experience with PLC panel commissioning, including control wiring, terminations, and functional acceptance testing 
• Familiarity with utility service connection commissioning, including coordination with the serving utility for circuit energization and acceptance 
• Background in process safety management (PSM) or familiarity with PHMSA requirements applicable to natural gas facilities 
• OSHA 30 certification (construction industry) 
• NETA certification or equivalent third-party electrical testing background 

Compensation & Employment 

Employment Type: W2 staffing — you will be employed by Innovation Consulting and placed on assignment with our client 

Duration: 12+ months; extension through 2027 expected based on active construction and commissioning scope 

Salary: $130,000–$190,000 DOE, paid as W2 

Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage; eligibility upon hire 

Schedule: Full-time, Monday–Friday; site schedule subject to project requirements 

Location: On-site in Santa Clarita, CA. Candidates currently working in a project-travel capacity are welcome to apply. Candidates relocating to the Los Angeles area are also encouraged to apply. 

Innovation Consulting places engineering and technical professionals on meaningful infrastructure programs across the country. We take time to match candidates to engagements where their background fits the work — not the other way around. 

Innovation Consulting LLC is an equal opportunity employer and recruiter. We review candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic.