Protective Relay Engineer Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Description

A Level 5 Switchgear Field Engineer leads complex field service activities for medium- and high-voltage switchgear systems, serving as a technical authority on installation, commissioning, maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, and modernization. This role provides on-site leadership, ensures safe work execution, interfaces directly with customers and project teams, and mentors junior engineers/technicians while driving quality, schedule adherence, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead field execution for switchgear installation, commissioning, and service (e.g., air-insulated switchgear, gas-insulated switchgear, metal-clad/metal-enclosed switchgear, breakers, relays, bus, CT/PTs, control power systems).
• Plan and perform advanced diagnostics for equipment and protection/control issues, including intermittent faults and complex system interactions.
• Execute and/or direct acceptance, maintenance, and condition-based testing (e.g., insulation resistance, hipot/VLF as applicable, contact resistance, timing/travel analysis, primary/secondary injection, relay logic verification, SCADA/RTU I/O checks).
• Perform protection relay commissioning and end-to-end verification; validate settings implementation per approved setting files and drawings.
• Interpret and redline electrical drawings/schematics, wiring diagrams, logic diagrams, and one-lines; verify as-built conditions.
• Ensure compliance with all safety requirements (LOTO, arc-flash, energized work restrictions, job hazard analysis, permits) and lead on-site safety briefings.
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to control wiring, interlocks, auxiliaries, close/trip circuits, charging motors, heaters, and communications.
• Direct corrective maintenance and repair activities, including breaker overhaul support, mechanism adjustments, alignment, lubrication, SF6 handling (if applicable), and component replacement.
• Provide technical leadership during outages, turnarounds, and critical recovery events; communicate status, risks, and mitigation plans.
• Produce high-quality field service reports, test records, punch lists, commissioning checklists, and nonconformance documentation; close out actions with customer sign-off.
• Coordinate with PMs, engineering, factory, and supply chain on parts identification, RMA/warranty, technical escalations, and root cause analysis.
• Mentor and supervise junior engineers/technicians; review work quality, coach troubleshooting approach, and enforce standards.
• Support customer training and knowledge transfer (operational checks, basic maintenance, safety considerations).
• Identify upsell/modernization opportunities (retrofill, protection upgrades, digital monitoring) and communicate leads through appropriate channels.

Required Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical/Electromechanical Technology, or equivalent practical experience.
• Typically 8+ years of progressively responsible field experience with MV/HV switchgear, breakers, and protection & control systems.
• Demonstrated ability to lead field crews and manage on-site execution for complex commissioning/service events.
• Strong working knowledge of electrical safety practices (NFPA 70E/OSHA or local equivalents), including LOTO and arc-flash risk controls.
• Proven experience reading and troubleshooting schematics, wiring diagrams, and one-lines.
• Ability to write clear field reports and maintain accurate test documentation.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience commissioning digital protection relays and IEC 61850/GOOSE networks (where applicable).
• Experience with power system studies interface (coordination, short circuit, arc-flash labels) and field validation.
• Familiarity with major relay platforms (e.g., SEL, GE/Multilin, ABB/Hitachi, Siemens) and breaker OEMs.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Expert-level troubleshooting skills across switchgear mechanical, electrical, and protection/control domains.
• Ability to develop commissioning/test plans, verify I/O, and perform functional checks from drawings and sequences of operation.
• Strong customer communication skills, including explaining findings, constraints, and corrective actions in clear, non-technical language when needed.
• Working knowledge of common test instruments and safe test setups; ability to validate instrument calibration status.
• Strong planning and prioritization skills; ability to manage multiple work fronts during outages.
• Ability to lead incident response and structured problem solving (5-Why, fishbone, corrective/preventive actions).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) and mobile/field reporting tools.

Working Conditions & Travel

• Primarily field-based at customer facilities (industrial plants, utilities, data centers, commercial facilities, substations).
• Travel typically 50-80% depending on region and workload; may include nights, weekends, and emergency call-outs.
• Work may be performed in confined spaces, elevated platforms, hot/cold environments, and around rotating machinery and energized equipment (per safety rules).
• Must be able to wear required PPE (arc-rated clothing, hard hat, gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, fall protection as needed).

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs (23 kg) and move test equipment and tools.
• Ability to stand, kneel, bend, climb ladders/stairs, and work at heights for extended periods.
• Ability to differentiate conductor colors/indicator states and read instruments/displays.

Tools and Technology

• Breaker test sets (timing/travel, micro-ohmmeters), insulation resistance meters, hipot/VLF sets (as applicable), relay test sets, primary injection systems.
• Digital multimeters, clamp meters, torque tools, mechanical gauges, alignment tools.
• Laptop-based relay configuration and commissioning software; serial/Ethernet communications tools (as applicable).
• Document control/reporting systems and mobile field service applications.

Reporting Relationships

Reports to a Field Service Manager/Service Operations Leader. May provide day-to-day technical direction to field technicians, contractors, and junior engineers on assigned jobs.

Disclaimer

The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required. Forgent Power reserves the right to modify, interpret, or apply this job description as needed.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Forgent Power is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected class.

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