Level II Relay Technician

Protection & Control Testing | FirstEnergy Program

Location: Pennsylvania and FirstEnergy Service Territory

Compensation: $60 to $65 per hour, depending on experience

Employment Type: Full Time W-2 or 1099

Per Diem: $1,050 per week for eligible traveling technicians

Travel: Project-based

About the Opportunity

If you work in relay testing and want steady utility work with a team that understands what you actually do, this could be worth a conversation.

We are hiring Relay Technicians at multiple experience levels to support protection and control testing across the FirstEnergy system. Most of the current work is in Pennsylvania, with additional projects possible throughout the FirstEnergy footprint.

The workload is approximately 90% transmission and 10% distribution, so this is a strong opportunity for technicians who want to continue building their experience on utility transmission systems.

We are open to technicians ranging from early-career candidates through experienced leads, but there is a particularly strong need for technicians with roughly 2 to 5 years of relay experience.

Compensation

Level II Relay Technician

• Approximately $60 to $65 per hour
• Typically 3+ years of relay testing experience
• Comfortable performing increasingly independent field work

What You'll Be Doing

Depending on your experience level, your work may include:

• Protective relay testing
• Protection and control commissioning
• Transmission and distribution testing
• End-to-end testing
• Line differential protection
• Communications-assisted protection schemes
• POTT schemes
• AC and DC control circuit verification
• Troubleshooting relay and control systems
• Reading electrical drawings and schematics
• Documenting test results
• Working in two-person relay testing teams
• Supporting or mentoring junior technicians
• Working alongside utility personnel and technicians from other contractors

Equipment and Technical Environment

This program is heavily focused on Doble equipment and testing systems.

Experience with the following is especially valuable:

• Doble relay test equipment
• RTS, Relay Testing System
• Doble testing software
• SEL protective relays
• Transmission protection
• Line differential
• Communications-assisted tripping
• POTT schemes
• End-to-end testing

Electromechanical relay experience is also a plus. It is not a major portion of the current workload, but candidates with that background can bring additional value to the team.

Who We're Looking For

Good candidates may come from:

• Electric utilities
• Protection and control contractors
• Relay testing companies
• Substation commissioning firms
• Electrical testing organizations
• Utility technical programs
• Military electrical or power backgrounds with transferable experience

Previous experience working within a major utility system is valuable.

For less experienced technicians, a two-year electrical, electronics, or technical degree is preferred but not required.

Travel and Schedule

The work is project-based.

Most current projects are located throughout Pennsylvania. Once technicians are working in the region, the goal is to keep them within a centralized area when possible.

Project lengths vary. Some assignments may last a few weeks, while others can continue for months or even years.

FirstEnergy also offers a third-weekend-home program when project schedules allow.

The program may include:

• Travel home every third weekend
• Up to four hours of paid travel time on Friday
• Up to $400 toward airfare
• Up to four hours of paid travel time on Monday
• No field work required Friday or Monday when utilizing the program, depending on project needs

The program is based on project requirements and availability.

Per Diem and Vehicle

Eligible traveling technicians receive:

$1,050 per week in per diem

Lead technicians also receive:

$1,000 per month vehicle stipend

The vehicle stipend applies to lead-level technicians only.

W-2 and 1099 Options

Both W-2 and 1099 arrangements may be available.

For W-2 employees, the company currently covers approximately 90% of the cost of an individual health insurance plan. Employees cover approximately 10%.

Family coverage is available, with the employee responsible for the additional family coverage cost.

Hourly pay does not increase simply because a technician chooses 1099 status.

This project-based program does not currently include PTO.

Why Consider It?

The biggest advantage here is the work itself.

This program has supported FirstEnergy for years and continues to see significant demand for relay technicians.

You will have the opportunity to work around experienced protection and control professionals, gain exposure to large transmission projects, build additional utility experience, and continue progressing toward senior or lead-level responsibilities.

If you know relay testing and want to hear what the program looks like, let's talk.

Requirements

• Relay, protection and control, or relevant electrical testing experience
• Ability to travel throughout the FirstEnergy territory
• Ability to pass required background screening
• Ability to work safely in utility and substation environments
• Ability to read electrical drawings and schematics appropriate to your experience level
• Understanding of electrical theory appropriate to your experience level
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation
• Must meet FirstEnergy work authorization requirements

Visa sponsorship and work-visa candidates cannot currently be accommodated for this program.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.