Field Engineer - Substation Commissioning/Testing

Transmission & Substation Reliability EngineerAbout the Opportunity

Our client is a growing electric utility organization investing heavily in transmission and substation reliability, grid modernization, and infrastructure expansion across South Texas. This position offers the opportunity to play a hands-on role in critical power delivery projects while working closely with engineering, operations, and field teams to improve system performance and reliability.

Position Summary

The Field Engineer will serve as a technical resource supporting transmission and substation operations, with a strong focus on Protection & Controls (P&C), relay testing, commissioning, contractor oversight, and quality assurance. This individual will work in both field and office environments, partnering with engineers, technicians, and contractors to ensure utility assets are commissioned, maintained, and operated safely and effectively.

Key Responsibilities

• Support transmission and substation reliability initiatives through Protection & Controls testing, commissioning, and maintenance activities.

• Perform and oversee relay testing, troubleshooting, and commissioning to ensure proper system operation and compliance with utility standards.

• Review relay testing documentation, validate procedures, and verify quality and compliance requirements are met.

• Participate in substation commissioning activities, including relay configuration, functional testing, and system energization support.

• Provide field oversight of contractors and vendors, ensuring adherence to safety, quality, and technical requirements.

• Conduct quality assurance reviews and identify opportunities for process improvements and corrective actions.

• Coordinate with engineering teams, technicians, and contractors to evaluate testing results and support system reliability enhancements.

• Assist with substation maintenance, upgrades, equipment replacements, and modernization projects.

• Support reliability and redundancy initiatives designed to improve transmission system performance and operational resilience.

• Communicate technical findings, project updates, and recommendations to internal stakeholders and leadership.

• Maintain accurate documentation, testing records, and commissioning reports.

• Participate in occasional travel to substations, training events, and company locations throughout the region.

Required Qualifications

• Experience supporting transmission or substation testing, commissioning, troubleshooting, and maintenance activities.

• Strong understanding of Protection & Controls systems within utility transmission and substation environments.

• Experience reviewing and validating relay testing results and commissioning documentation.

• Hands-on experience with relay commissioning and integration into transmission and substation protection schemes.

• Ability to provide contractor oversight and ensure compliance with utility standards, procedures, and safety requirements.

• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to balance field responsibilities with office-based engineering and documentation activities.

• Comfortable working in energized utility environments and traveling to substations as required.

• Utility, power delivery, or transmission industry experience preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related technical discipline.

• Experience supporting utility power systems, transmission engineering, or substation operations.

• Familiarity with relay protection philosophies, fault analysis, and system reliability practices.

• Knowledge of NETA testing standards and commissioning procedures.

• Experience with transmission and substation modernization projects.

• Experience in Protection & Controls engineering or field engineering support.

• Interest in long-term career growth within a utility-focused organization.

Work Environment & Benefits

This role is based in South Texas and combines field engineering responsibilities with office-based technical support. The position provides extensive exposure to transmission and substation infrastructure, allowing engineers to work directly with relay protection systems, commissioning activities, and grid reliability initiatives.

Engineers in this role collaborate closely with operations, maintenance, engineering, and contractor teams while contributing to major infrastructure investments designed to strengthen system reliability and support future growth. The position includes a company vehicle for field travel, opportunities for technical training and professional development, and involvement in high-impact utility projects that directly support regional power delivery.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Join a utility organization actively investing in transmission and substation improvements.

• Hands-on exposure to Protection & Controls, relay testing, and commissioning activities.

• Company vehicle provided for field work.

• Opportunity to work on critical reliability and grid modernization projects.

• Strong visibility within engineering and operations teams.

• Long-term career growth within a stable utility environment.

• Relocation assistance available for qualified candidates.

This opportunity is ideal for a field engineer who enjoys working directly with utility infrastructure, solving real-world power system challenges, and contributing to projects that improve long-term transmission and substation reliability.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Mission, TX.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $55.00 - $72.00/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)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Mission, TX.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 17, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Mission,TX.

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 [email protected] 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.