Commissioning Specialist

Position Overview

The Commissioning Specialist will support the final stages of substation and transmission construction projects, helping transition newly constructed or modified facilities from construction completion through testing, energization, and final turnover to Operations.

This role combines field-based commissioning activities with office-based planning and coordination support . During active commissioning and energization periods, the Commissioning Specialist will work in the field supporting inspections, testing, issue resolution, and successful system energization.

Between commissioning activities, the Specialist will report to the designated office to support commissioning planning, documentation, drawing and test package reviews, preparation for upcoming projects, and project closeout activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the commissioning, testing, energization, and turnover of new and modified substation and transmission facilities.
• Perform and support pre-energization inspections to verify construction readiness for commissioning.
• Review one-line diagrams, schematics, wiring diagrams, construction drawings, specifications, test plans, and commissioning packages.
• Coordinate, support, and witness testing of substation equipment and associated systems.
• Support the commissioning of transformers, circuit breakers, switches, instrument transformers, protection and control systems, SCADA/communications systems, and other associated substation equipment.
• Coordinate closely with Construction, Engineering, Protection & Controls, Operations, vendors, and contractor teams throughout the commissioning and energization process.
• Identify deficiencies, punch-list items, incomplete work, and testing failures, and coordinate resolution prior to energization.
• Assist with the development and preparation of commissioning plans, checklists, test packages, and energization documentation.
• Track upcoming commissioning activities and ensure required documentation, resources, equipment, and stakeholders are prepared.
• Maintain accurate commissioning records, test results, deficiency logs, turnover packages, and project closeout documentation.
• Support troubleshooting and resolution of technical issues identified during testing, commissioning, and startup.
• Assist with final project turnover and acceptance following successful testing and energization.
• Perform office-based commissioning preparation, coordination, documentation, and project closeout activities between field assignments.
• Ensure all work is performed in accordance with requirements, project specifications, and applicable safety policies and procedures.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Direct experience commissioning substation and/or transmission facilities within an electric utility or utility-contractor environment.
• Experience supporting high-voltage substation construction projects through testing, energization, and operational turnover.
• Strong knowledge of high-voltage substation equipment, systems, and construction practices.
• Ability to read and interpret one-line diagrams, electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, relay drawings, and electrical construction documents.
• Familiarity with protection and control systems, protective relays, SCADA, and substation communications systems.
• Experience coordinating activities across Construction, Engineering, Protection & Controls, Operations, vendors, and contractor teams.
• Strong understanding of high-voltage electrical safety practices and jobsite safety requirements.
• Strong organizational, documentation, communication, and problem-solving skills.