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Description
The Senior Electrical Testing & Commissioning Engineer plans, executes, and oversees electrical testing and commissioning across Fervo's 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 Fervo's 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 Fervo's 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 Fervo's internal Electrical Engineers to keep test scopes technically sound and consistent with the project's protection and operational philosophy.
Requirements
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 Fervo's 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 Fervo's primary contact for third-party NETA testing companies, managing scope, schedules, resource deployment, and test report acceptance from mobilization through closeout.
- Develop and maintain Fervo's 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 Fervo's 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
- Bachelor's 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.