Senior Electrical Testing & Commissioning Engineer

The Senior Electrical Testing & Commissioning Engineer plans executes and oversees electrical testing and commissioning across Fervos geothermal power projects. The role covers the full commissioning lifecycle from pre-commissioning inspections and factory acceptance testing through field testing system energization and handover to operations. Equipment scope includes medium- and low-voltage switchgear power transformers instrument transformers (PTs and CTs) circuit breakers protective relays cables MCCs VFDs motors generators and plant grounding systems.

This role is Fervos internal expert on electrical acceptance testing. The engineer works directly with third-party NETA-accredited testing companies to scope schedule witness and review testing across all equipment categories. They will also develop Fervos own test requirements and commissioning procedures based on NETA ATS/MTS and supplemented by IEEE NFPA 70B and manufacturer requirements and will work closely with Fervos internal Electrical Engineers to keep test scopes technically sound and consistent with the projects protection and operational philosophy.

Responsibilities

Commissioning Planning & Test Management

• Develop and implement Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs) for all electrical systems based on design specifications protection philosophies and applicable standards (NETA IEEE IEC).
• Define pre-commissioning commissioning and energization sequences to ensure safe and orderly system startup.
• Prepare commissioning procedures test packages method statements and work permits for electrical testing activities.
• Manage the electrical commissioning schedule and coordinate with EPC contractors NETA testing firms OEMs and internal stakeholders.
• Lead pre-energization safety reviews (PSSRs) and energization readiness walkdowns for major electrical equipment.

NETA Acceptance Testing & Electrical Inspection

• Lead NETA acceptance testing (per ANSI/NETA ATS) for MV and LV equipment including cables switchgear power transformers instrument transformers (PTs and CTs) circuit breakers protective relays MCCs VFDs motors and grounding systems. Tests are performed either directly or through third-party contractors.
• Review and formally accept NETA and other electrical test reports for all equipment categories. Identify deficiencies out-of-tolerance values or failed tests and drive resolution with the testing contractor OEM or internal engineering.
• Witness relay functional testing; review protection coordination studies relay settings and arc flash analyses; and verify correct implementation in the field before energization.
• Perform or witness specific acceptance tests including cable insulation resistance DC hipot and VLF testing; breaker contact resistance and timing; transformer turns ratio (TTR); power factor and dissipation factor; insulation power factor; and CT/PT accuracy and polarity.
• Verify control and interlocking logic including integration testing between protection systems and SCADA/DCS/PLC platforms in coordination with Fervos internal Electrical Engineers.
• Track all test failures non-conformances and open punch items through a live deficiency register and drive each to documented closure.

Contractor & Stakeholder Coordination

• Serve as Fervos primary contact for third-party NETA testing companies managing scope schedules resource deployment and test report acceptance from mobilization through closeout.
• Develop and maintain Fervos internal electrical test requirements commissioning procedures and acceptance criteria based on NETA ATS/MTS IEEE and NFPA 70B and updated as project requirements evolve.
• Work closely with Fervos internal Electrical Engineers throughout test planning and execution to align test scopes with design intent resolve technical questions from test results and ensure findings are reflected in engineering records and as-built documentation.
• Participate and/or run daily commissioning coordination meetings and keep project leadership informed on status open items and technical risks.
• Coordinate with operations and maintenance teams on energization sequencing and system turnover.

Documentation & Handover

• Compile and maintain complete commissioning documentation packages including test records punch lists deviation logs as-built markups and turnover dossiers.
• Prepare commissioning completion reports and handover packages for operations confirming all systems have been tested accepted and documented.
• Communicate lessons learned from commissioning to engineering and project teams for use on future projects.

Required Qualifications

• 7 years of hands-on experience in electrical testing and commissioning with a strong background in NETA acceptance testing on power generation substation or industrial projects.
• Direct field experience conducting NETA acceptance testing on cables switchgear power transformers instrument transformers (PTs and CTs) circuit breakers protective relays MCCs VFDs motors and grounding systems per ANSI/NETA ATS.
• Ability to develop electrical test requirements commissioning procedures and acceptance criteria based on NETA ATS/MTS IEEE and NFPA standards.
• Proficiency reviewing and evaluating NETA test reports across all equipment types; able to identify anomalies out-of-tolerance results and equipment deficiencies and provide sound technical dispositions.
• Working knowledge of protection coordination and arc flash safety. Able to read and work from protection coordination studies relay setting sheets SLDs cable schedules and loop diagrams.
• Experience managing third-party NETA testing contractors including scope development work planning witnessing and test report acceptance.
• Comfortable working in a field environment with regular site travel during commissioning campaigns (25-75% travel expected depending on site activities).
• Clear written and verbal communication skills; able to document test results deficiencies and risk dispositions for both technical and non-technical audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering. Candidates without a degree but with strong directly relevant commissioning experience will be considered.
• Experience on utility-scale power generation projects including geothermal conventional thermal wind or solar.
• NETA Level III or Level IV Electrical Testing Technician certification (ANSI/NETA ETT) strongly preferred.
• NETA Certified Commissioning Technician (CCT) certification.
• Familiarity with SCADA/DCS/PLC integration testing and I&C commissioning in a power plant environment.
• Certifications in condition monitoring technologies such as Infrared Testing Ultrasound and the use of relevant electrical test equipment.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license in Electrical Engineering.
• Working knowledge of ANSI/NETA ATS & MTS NFPA 70E NFPA 70B and IEEE C57 C37 and 80 series and other relevant standards.

Location

Fervo Energy is headquartered in Houston TX with growing offices in Oakland CA Golden CO Salt Lake City UT Reno NV and Milford UT. This position is best located in Salt Lake City Reno Milford or Houston due to extensive travel during relevant commissioning activities and co-location with supporting team members.