SOLV Energy
·Electrical Engineering
Senior Commissioning Engineer
About this role
Lead testing, commissioning, and initial energization for utility-scale high-voltage substations, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and solar PV facilities. Serve as senior technical authority providing engineering oversight, mentoring commissioning staff, and ensuring safe project energization with 20-30% field travel.
Must have
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from accredited university
Minimum 10 years experience in testing, commissioning, and initial energization of utility-scale HV substations, BESS, and/or PV facilities
Minimum 5 years leading or serving as primary technical engineer for commissioning and energization on complex utility-scale projects
Minimum 5 years performing and directing high-voltage switching operations and supporting energized electrical systems
Minimum 2 years engineering leadership or supervisory experience
Demonstrated expertise in power system protection, control systems, relay testing, electrical system analysis, power quality, harmonic analysis, and utility interconnection requirements
Professional Engineer (PE) license or ability to obtain
High voltage switching experience
NETA Certification Level II, III, or IV
Experience with harmonic analyzers and power quality monitoring equipment
Experience with SEL, GE, ABB, Schweitzer, or comparable protection systems
Experience with utility interconnection and NERC/FERC compliance requirements
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Proven commitment to safety with excellent safety record and compliance with OSHA, NFPA 70E, and utility switching procedures
Legally authorized to work in the U.S. without employer sponsorship
Technologies
Responsibilities
Attend Owner, Utility, and stakeholder meetings as requested by Commissioning Manager
Develop Testing and Commissioning Plans aligned with project specifications, utility interconnection requirements, and industry standards
Develop, review, and execute detailed Initial Energization Procedures for HV substations, BESS auxiliary power distribution systems, and BESS and PV AC power collection systems
Serve as engineering authority for complex commissioning issues requiring technical evaluation and engineering judgment
Review protection and control philosophies, relay settings, and commissioning strategies to identify risks and verify readiness for safe system energization
Support development and review of switching procedures, LOTO, Permit to Work, Red Rope, and System Under Test programs
Lead and support initial substation energization activities including readiness verification and field coordination
Perform high voltage switching operations as required for initial energization and commissioning activities
Review and approve completed commissioning and acceptance test reports verifying conformance to specifications and contractual criteria
Identify non-conformances, direct corrective retesting or documentation revisions, and provide final engineering sign-off before client release
Perform or coordinate harmonic measurements and power quality assessments during commissioning and post-energization
Develop substation operations and training documentation and deliver onsite training to Owner and Operations personnel
Provide post-energization technical support including system monitoring, troubleshooting, and commissioning closeout activities
Provide on-call technical support for site events including system trips and abnormal operating conditions
Lead post-trip and equipment failure investigations directing analytical approach and assigning investigative tasks
Document root cause findings using structured methodologies and prepare and formally release RCA reports
Identify, analyze, and recommend corrective actions
Track corrective action implementation to closure and verify effectiveness through post-repair functional testing
Contribute lessons learned to commissioning procedures, design standards, and O&M documentation
Serve as final technical reviewer and approver for Testing and Commissioning deliverables prior to client release
Review EPC contract exhibits and project documentation to define Testing and Commissioning scope and division of responsibility
Serve as senior technical resource and engineering authority for Commissioning Engineering team
Conduct performance evaluations, establish development goals, provide coaching and feedback, and support career development for assigned staff
Assign, prioritize, and coordinate engineering workload for Commissioning Engineers across multiple projects
Supervise and develop Commissioning Engineers while ensuring consistent engineering execution and technical quality
Benefits
Recruitment process
Fully remote position with specific location details discussed during interview process
Approximately 20-30% travel required with active participation in field operations
Serves as senior technical authority and primary engineering interface between Commissioning Project Management, Project Management, Engineering, Owners, Utilities, OEMs, and Field Services
Provides engineering oversight throughout project execution and develops complex energization strategies
Exercises independent engineering judgment in resolving complex technical issues affecting safe energization and commissioning
SOLV Energy is a leading provider of infrastructure services to the power industry designing, building and maintaining utility scale solar, battery storage and high voltage substation projects nationwide
Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplaces