Substation Commissioning Engineer

Job Title: Substation Commissioning EngineerJob Description

We are seeking an experienced Substation Commissioning Engineer to support greenfield and brownfield substation projects across Colorado. This role focuses on final testing, validation, and energization of substation protection and control systems, ensuring all equipment operates safely and reliably before being placed into service. You will play a critical role at the highest-impact phase of each project, with clear opportunities to grow into leadership positions.

Responsibilities

• Support commissioning efforts for both greenfield and brownfield substations across Colorado.
• Perform comprehensive protection and controls testing and validation for substation systems.
• Review, execute, and document relay testing procedures and logic verification activities.
• Interpret and work with three-phase electrical systems to assess readiness and functionality.
• Provide final technical review and sign-off prior to energization of substations and associated equipment.
• Ensure all systems are fully operational, properly configured, and compliant with design and safety requirements before energization.
• Take ownership of final checks, demonstrating high attention to detail and accountability for system performance.
• Contribute to relay setting development and participate in substation design reviews as needed.
• Collaborate with project teams and field personnel to resolve issues identified during commissioning and testing.
• Support project success by working in live, high-impact environments during the final stages of energization.
• Travel to substation sites across Colorado, including a mix of local Denver Metro work and assignments up to approximately two weeks at a time.

Essential Skills

• At least 5 years of field experience in substation protection and controls testing.
• 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 understanding of relay logic to validate protection schemes.
• Solid understanding of three-phase electrical systems and their application in substation environments.
• Demonstrated ability to take ownership of final sign-off responsibilities prior to energization.
• High attention to detail and strong sense of accountability in field and commissioning work.
• Comfort working in field environments and live, high-impact substation conditions.
• Willingness and ability to travel across Colorado, including short-duration trips up to approximately two weeks at a time.

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 with relay setting development is beneficial.
• Substation design experience is a plus.
• Exposure to project leadership or project management responsibilities is advantageous.
• Based in the Denver Metro area or Colorado Springs is preferred.
• Relocation and sign-on bonus may be available for strong candidates.
• Interest in progressing into leadership roles such as project management, field service management, or operations.

Work Environment

This is a field-based role working at substation sites across Colorado, with approximately 60% of assignments in the Denver Metro area and additional travel to other locations for periods typically up to two weeks at a time. You will work in live, high-impact environments during the final stages of substation energization, handling complex protection and control systems and critical infrastructure equipment. The position offers a mix of local and travel-based work, exposure to advanced substation technologies, and direct involvement in the most impactful phase of each project. The culture emphasizes technical excellence, accountability, and professional growth, with a clear path into leadership roles and strong compensation growth tied to technical advancement. Dress and conduct are expected to align with safe, professional field and substation site standards.

Job Type & Location

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

Pay and Benefits

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)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Centennial,CO.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 11, 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.