Manager Testing & Commissioning STATCOM Specialist

About the Role

Larsen & Toubro is seeking a Manager Testing & Commissioning STATCOM Specialist to join their team in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This full-time position is responsible for the end-to-end commissioning and grid integration of STATCOM systems. The role focuses on ensuring that these systems provide dynamic voltage support and reactive power management in renewable plants and substations across various projects, operating reliably under dynamic grid conditions and meeting utility acceptance, power quality, and stability requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Review STATCOM system documentation and provide input to the engineering team based on experience, covering power circuit diagrams, control philosophy, protection settings, cooling, auxiliary power, harmonic filter configuration, substation protection schemes, and PPC/SCADA systems.
• Participate in Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) and control validation exercises.
• Verify installation quality of Voltage Source Converters (VSC), cooling systems (air/liquid), and control/protection panels.
• Conduct pre-commissioning checks including documentation, readiness, civil, electrical, mechanical completion verification, auxiliary power checks, control and protection system readiness, communication and PPC/SCADA integration, safety and interlock checks, insulation, grounding checks, and grid interface readiness.
• Coordinate stepwise energization from control power to auxiliary systems and converter power.
• Validate STATCOM operating modes such as voltage control, reactive power control, and power factor control, along with interlocks and protection functions.
• Support and execute dynamic reactive response tests, step response and voltage recovery tests, and harmonic measurement and filtering verification.
• Interface with grid operators during acceptance testing and validate coordination with other reactive devices like inverters.
• Prepare commissioning and performance test reports, support Commercial Operation Date (COD) and reliability runs, and train O&M personnel on STATCOM operation and alarms.

Testing and Commissioning Focus

The role is responsible for commissioning, dynamic performance testing, and grid-compliance validation of STATCOM systems. This work adheres to international standards including IEC 61954, IEC 62477-1, IEC 61000 series, IEC 61850, and other relevant standards.

Key Tests Performed

• Converter functional tests and gating checks.
• Protection system validation.
• Harmonic performance measurement.
• Cooling system performance under load.

Troubleshooting Scope

The specialist will address and resolve issues such as converter trips due to grid disturbances, control instability or hunting, cooling failures causing deration, communication faults with PPC or SCADA systems, and harmonic limit exceedances.

Qualifications and Experience

• A minimum of 10 years of experience in a relevant field.
• Demonstrated expertise in STATCOM systems, including commissioning, dynamic performance testing, and grid compliance validation.
• Strong understanding of relevant IEC standards (61954, 62477-1, 61000 series, 61850).