Job Overview
The Commissioning Engineer plays a key role in the successful commissioning and start-up of waste-to-energy, renewable energy, and industrial process facilities across North America. Reporting to the Commissioning Manager, the Commissioning Engineer supports and executes commissioning activities from pre-commissioning through start-up, performance testing, and handover.
Working closely with engineering, construction, automation, equipment vendors, sub-contractors, and operations personnel, the Commissioning Engineer ensures systems and equipment are installed, tested, commissioned, documented, and transitioned safely into operation.
The role is responsible for executing commissioning procedures, performing inspections and testing, troubleshooting process and control systems, maintaining commissioning records, and supporting the resolution of technical issues encountered during start-up and performance testing. The successful candidate will possess strong technical knowledge, problem-solving ability, and a commitment to safety, quality, and operational excellence.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the development and execution of commissioning plans, procedures, schedules, checklists, and test protocols.
- Support the development of the commissioning strategy and sequence in coordination with the Project Manager, engineering, construction, automation, vendors, and client.
- Execute and coordinate onsite commissioning activities from pre-commissioning through start-up, Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), performance testing, and handover activities.
- Coordinate daily commissioning activities with construction teams, equipment vendors, sub-contractors, and project personnel.
- Support commissioning coordination meetings and provide updates on progress, clear direction on daily priorities, testing activities, constraints, and required resources.
- Verify mechanical completion and system readiness prior to commissioning activities.
- Perform equipment inspections, equipment checkout, calibration verification, loop checks, I/O checks, and functional testing.
- Coordinate and perform dry and wet commissioning activities for mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, control, automation, and process systems.
- Support PLC, HMI, SCADA, and control system testing activities during commissioning and start-up.
- Troubleshoot equipment, instrumentation, control systems, and process-related issues and assist in implementing corrective actions.
- Work closely with automation engineers and equipment vendors to verify proper system functionality and performance.
- Prepare and review Risk Assessments, Job Hazard Analyses (JHA), LOTO reviews, and commissioning safety planning activities.
- Ensure commissioning activities are performed in compliance with project specifications, company procedures, quality requirements, and applicable safety regulations.
- Document commissioning results and maintain accurate commissioning records, test reports, checklists, and punch-list items.
- Track and report commissioning progress, open issues, corrective actions, and testing results.
- Support management of commissioning punch lists and assist in resolving outstanding deficiencies.
- Coordinate with operations personnel and client representatives during start-up, testing, and handover activities.
- Support operator training and operational readiness activities.
- Review and verify as-built documentation, operating manuals, and turnover packages.
- Assist with preparation of commissioning reports and final handover documentation.
- Promote a strong safety culture and address or report unsafe conditions and practices.
Required Skills and Experience
Skills
- Strong understanding of commissioning and startup activities for industrial process facilities.
- Knowledge of mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, control, and automation systems.
- Experience performing loop checks, I/O checks, functional testing, equipment checkout, and commissioning activities.
- Working knowledge of PLC, HMI, SCADA, industrial communication networks, and instrumentation systems.
- Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, process flow diagrams, electrical drawings, control schematics, and technical documentation.
- Strong troubleshooting and analytical problem-solving skills.
- Knowledge of commissioning safety practices, including LOTO, permit-to-work systems, and risk assessments.
- Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work independently and effectively within multidisciplinary project teams.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
Experience
- Minimum 3-5 years of relevant industrial experience, including hands-on commissioning and/or start-up, and operations experience.
- Experience within renewable energy, biogas, wastewater treatment, waste-to-energy, chemical processing, power generation, or related industrial facilities preferred.
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related technical discipline; equivalent technical diploma and relevant commissioning experience may be considered.
Physical Requirements:
- Preferred work location is Carlsbad, California. However, remote candidates with relevant commissioning experience will be considered. This position requires travel to project sites throughout North America up to 70%.
- Ability to work in industrial and construction environments, including climbing ladders, walking on uneven surfaces, and wearing required personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Ability to work extended hours during critical start-up and commissioning activities when required.
