Pre-commissioning Agent

Pre-Commissioning Agent - Substation Protection & Controls

The Pre-Commissioning Agent supports substation protection and controls projects throughout Colorado, with a primary focus on the construction phase. This role ensures that protection and control systems are installed correctly, thoroughly checked, and fully ready for commissioning and energization. The position offers extensive hands-on field work, strong exposure to a wide range of substation projects, and a clear growth path into higher-level commissioning and technical roles.

Responsibilities

• Support substation protection and controls projects in both greenfield and brownfield environments across Colorado.
• Work onsite full-time at substation project locations, typically 5 days per week and approximately 10 hours per day.
• Read and independently interpret electrical schematics and wiring diagrams to validate field installations and troubleshoot issues.
• Verify substation wiring installations, including #10 and smaller conductors, to ensure compliance with design and readiness for commissioning.
• Assist with pre-commissioning activities to confirm that protection and control systems are properly installed and ready for energization.
• Coordinate closely with construction teams, engineers, and other stakeholders to support effective project execution.
• Act as a field project coordinator, helping to sequence substation construction activities and align work across multiple crews.
• Support relay work and relay testing activities to confirm correct operation of protection schemes.
• Adapt to changing site conditions in both energized and non-energized (greenfield/brownfield) substations while maintaining a strong safety and quality focus.
• Contribute to project scheduling and coordination efforts to help keep field work on track and aligned with commissioning milestones.

Essential Skills

• Minimum of 5+ years of hands-on field experience in substation protection and controls.
• Proven experience working in substation environments during construction and pre-commissioning phases.
• Strong hands-on experience with substation wiring, typically #10 and smaller conductors.
• Experience as a relay technician or in a similar relay-focused role, with experience in relay work and relay testing.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and wiring diagrams independently and accurately.
• Experience supporting construction environments and coordinating activities across multiple field crews.
• Comfort working onsite full-time in the field, including long days and varying site conditions.
• Ability and willingness to travel throughout Colorado to support multiple project locations.
• Experience working in both greenfield and brownfield substations and adapting to various stages of energization.
• Hands-on experience with substation protection and controls systems applied daily to support construction and commissioning readiness.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience as a field project coordinator supporting substation construction activities.
• Familiarity with project coordination and scheduling for field-based utility or energy projects.
• Exposure to CAD tools used for reviewing or understanding substation design documentation.
• Experience with ABB relays and related protection and control equipment.
• Understanding of substation construction sequencing and how it aligns with protection and control installation and testing.
• Electrical engineering or technical degree, which may count toward the required experience.
• Experience or education in electrical systems or electrical engineering disciplines.
• Residence in the Denver Metro or Colorado Springs areas is preferred but not required.
• Openness to relocation; relocation support and a sign-on bonus may be available for highly qualified candidates.
• Motivation to grow into higher-level commissioning or advanced technical roles over time.

Work Environment

This is a field-based role working directly at substation project sites throughout Colorado. The position requires being onsite 5 days per week, typically working around 10-hour days. Project assignments may last several months at a single location, providing stability and continuity while still offering exposure to multiple project types. Approximately 60% of project sites are in the Denver Metro area, with the remainder located across the state, so regular travel within Colorado is required. The work environment is construction-focused and hands-on, involving close collaboration with construction crews, engineers, and other field personnel in both greenfield and brownfield substations at various stages of energization. You will work around electrical systems, protection and control equipment, relays, and substation infrastructure, using tools such as electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and potentially CAD-based design documents. The culture emphasizes safety, technical excellence, and professional growth, offering a clear pathway into commissioning and higher-level technical positions, along with the opportunity to contribute to critical energy infrastructure projects with long-duration assignments and strong exposure to substation protection and controls work.

Job Type & Location

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

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $45.00 - $65.00/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)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Aurora,CO.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 1, 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 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

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.