Substation Commissioning Engineer

Job Title: Substation Commissioning Engineer

Job Description

This role focuses on final testing, validation, and energization of substation systems across Colorado. You will play a critical part in ensuring protection and controls systems operate safely and reliably before substations are energized. The position offers the opportunity to work on high-impact project phases, gain exposure to complex protection and control systems, and follow a clear path into leadership roles in project management, field service, or operations.

Responsibilities

• Support commissioning efforts for both greenfield and brownfield substations across Colorado.
• Perform comprehensive protection and controls testing and validation to confirm system performance and reliability.
• Review, execute, and document relay testing activities, including logic verification for protection schemes.
• Apply a solid understanding of three-phase electrical systems to assess system readiness and functionality.
• Provide final sign-off prior to energization of substations and equipment, ensuring all systems are fully operational.
• Take ownership of final checks before energization, maintaining high attention to detail and accountability.
• Deliver hands-on commissioning and final energization support at substation sites, resolving issues identified during testing.
• Collaborate with project teams to support the highest-impact phase of substation projects and contribute directly to project success.
• Work comfortably in field environments, including live, high-impact settings during the final stages of energization.
• Participate in local and travel assignments, coordinating activities to meet project schedules and commissioning milestones.

Essential Skills

• At least 5+ years of field experience in substation protection and controls testing.
• Extensive hands-on experience performing substation commissioning and final energization support.
• Strong background in protection and controls testing for substation systems.
• Proven experience with relay testing and relay logic verification to validate protection schemes.
• Solid understanding of three-phase electrical systems and their application in substation environments.
• Demonstrated ability to take responsibility for final sign-off prior to energization, with high attention to detail.
• Comfort working in field environments, including live and high-impact substation sites.
• Willingness and ability to travel across Colorado, including trips of up to approximately two weeks at a time.
• Ability to work primarily within the Denver Metro area while supporting projects across the state.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Electrical engineering degree preferred.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license strongly preferred.
• Senior relay technicians with 10–15+ years of experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Experience in relay setting development and configuration.
• Substation design experience, particularly related to protection and controls systems.
• Exposure to project leadership responsibilities and interest in developing into roles such as Project Manager, Field Service Manager, or Operations leadership.
• Based in the Denver Metro area or Colorado Springs preferred.
• Openness to relocation; relocation and sign-on bonus may be available for strong candidates.
• Desire to work on complex protection and control systems and critical infrastructure projects.
• Motivation to grow compensation through technical advancement and increased responsibility.

Work Environment

This is a field-based role working at substation sites across Colorado, with a mix of local assignments in the Denver Metro area and travel-based projects of up to approximately two weeks at a time. You will work in live, high-impact environments during the final stages of energization, where safety, precision, and clear communication are essential. The position offers exposure to advanced protection and controls technologies, relay systems, and critical infrastructure. You will operate in outdoor and industrial settings typical of substations, collaborating closely with project teams and field personnel. The work schedule is driven by project needs, with flexibility required to support commissioning timelines and travel. The culture emphasizes technical excellence, accountability for final system performance, and a clear path into leadership roles, supported by strong opportunities for professional growth and advancement.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Denver, CO.

The pay range for this position is $60.00 - $80.00/hr.

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 Denver,CO.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 5, 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 without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment 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 the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

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