Los Alamos National Laboratory

Commissioning Professional (Startup Specialist 3)

Los Alamos National Laboratory$96K — $158K *
Energy & Utilities
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of experience in commissioning and startup execution for mechanical, electrical, or instrumentation/control systems.
  • Strong knowledge of engineering codes and standards, with the ability to interpret technical drawings and specifications.
  • Demonstrated capability to assess design package quality and provide actionable recommendations.
  • Experience coordinating across multiple stakeholders including vendors and subcontractors for seamless project turnover.
  • Proven ability to maintain safety standards with a zero-accident mindset; implements safety measures diligently.
  • Strong skills in producing and presenting technical documentation like commissioning plans and test summaries.
  • Relevant commissioning certifications, such as BCxA or ACG credentials, are highly desirable.

Responsibilities

  • Plan and execute turnover, commissioning, and startup activities for various capital projects.
  • Translate design intent into testable criteria and coordinate safe execution with project teams.
  • Review design and construction deliverables for operability and maintainability.
  • Develop commissioning plans and testing procedures to ensure quality deliverables.
  • Direct testing processes as the test director and manage issues resolution through project closeout.
  • Oversee subcontracted commissioning providers and ensure a smooth training handoff to operations.
  • Produce detailed reports summarizing commissioning and test results.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance options.
  • Free life and disability insurance for added security.
  • Paid parental leave to support family needs.
  • Competitive 401(k) plan with matching contributions.
  • Tuition assistance and learning opportunities for professional growth.
  • Flexible scheduling options and generous paid time off.
  • Access to onsite fitness facilities and wellness programs.
Full Job Description
Description

Job Title Commissioning Professional (Startup Specialist 3)

Location Los Alamos, NM, US

Organization Name Construction Project Execution - Project Completion and Startup Group

Minimum Salary 96600

Maximum Salary 158000

What You Will Do

This position is open for external candidates only to apply.

You will plan and execute turnover, commissioning and startup activities for capital projects across Los Alamos National Laboratory's campus, supporting everything from HVAC and instrumentation and controls upgrades to new research laboratories and utility infrastructure. Working within the Construction Project Execution - Project Completion and Startup Group, LANL's Startup, Turnover, and Commissioning Services organization, you will translate design intent into testable acceptance criteria, coordinate safe field execution with construction and operations partners, and produce clear documentation that demonstrates systems are ready to support mission work.

In this role, you will review design and construction deliverables for testability, operability, and maintainability; develop commissioning plans, verification checklists, and functional performance test procedures; direct or witness testing as the test director; coordinate turnover and sequencing with project and construction leadership; manage issues resolution through closeout; and deliver final commissioning / test summary reporting. You may also provide oversight and technical guidance to subcontracted commissioning providers and support training handoff to operations.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:
Commissioning and startup execution: Ability to plan and conduct pre-commissioning, functional performance testing, and initial operation activities for mechanical, electrical, and/or instrumentation and controls systems, ensuring work is performed safely, efficiently, and in alignment with scope, schedule, and budget.

Engineered systems knowledge: Working knowledge of equipment operation, applicable codes and standards, and design criteria, with the ability to interpret drawings and specifications, develop test procedures, and evaluate results against defined acceptance criteria and design intent.

Design and constructability review: Demonstrated capability to review design packages and construction submittals, identify operability/maintainability risks, and provide actionable comments that improve testability, safety, and long-term operations outcomes.

Project integration and vendor coordination: Skill coordinating across engineering, construction, project management, operations, subcontractors, and vendors to sequence turnover, resolve issues, and maintain clear configuration and documentation control throughout commissioning.

Safety leadership and compliance: Ability to lead work with a zero-accident mindset, comply with site safety and security requirements, and stop work when conditions are unsafe or could compromise security.

Communication and documentation: Ability to produce and present commissioning deliverables, including commissioning plans, checklists, functional test procedures, issues logs, and final commissioning or test summary reports.

Training/Certifications: Commissioning credentials (or progress toward certification) such as BCxA Certified Commissioning Professional (CCP) / Associate Commissioning Professional (ACP), ACG Certified Commissioning Authority (CxA) / Certified Commissioning Technician (CxT), or similar are desirable. Awarded commissioning certifications recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy are a plus.

Education/Experience: Bachelor's degree in an engineering or scientific discipline from an accredited institution and 8 years of directly related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Desired Qualifications:

Experience applying structured commissioning processes and deliverables (e.g., commissioning plans, verification checklists, functional performance tests, issues management, training coordination, and turnover and closeout documentation) consistent with industry guidance (BCxA, ACG, and ASHRAE).

Experience with building automation systems, data acquisition, trending, and controls sequence verification to support functional testing and troubleshooting.

Familiarity with high-performance building delivery approaches such as LEED and Department of Energy high-performance sustainable building guiding principles.

Experience working in regulated, high-consequence, or mission-critical environments with strong quality assurance expectations.

Department of Energy Q clearance.


Work Environment:

Work Location : The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management. Work Schedule : This position primarily supports day-shift work. Project milestones may require extended hours, overtime, and occasional off-shift or weekend coverage to support critical turnover and testing windows.

Essential Job Functions (can perform with or without reasonable accommodation): Ability to speak and discriminate speech; hear in a normal range; sit, stand, climb stairs and ladders; bend, crouch, twist; reach overhead; grip and use a keyboard; lift and carry 10-20 pounds; work outdoors; work overtime or irregular schedule; work off-shift/rotating schedule; operate motor vehicles; work in noisy environments; work near sources of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation; wear required personal protective equipment (e.g., head, eye, and hearing protection).

Position Commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.

Note to Applicants: For full consideration, please submit a resume and a cover letter describing how your experience aligns with the minimum requirements for this role.

Where You Will Work

Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:
  • PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
  • Dental and vision insurance
  • Free basic life and disability insurance
  • Paid childbirth and parental leave
  • Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
  • Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
  • Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
  • Onsite gyms and wellness programs
  • Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)


Employment Status Full Time

Appointment Type Regular

Regular

Contact Details

Contact Name Broge, Margaret Ann

Email [email protected]

Work Telephone

About Los Alamos National Laboratory

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a United States Department of Energy national laboratory initially organized during World War II for the design of nuclear weapons as part of the Manhattan Project. It is located a short distance northwest of Santa Fe, New Mexico in the southwestern United States. LANL conducts research in fields such as national security, space exploration, renewable energy, medicine, nanotechnology, and supercomputing. It is the largest institution of its kind in the world. LANL is managed and operated by Triad National Security, LLC, which is composed of Battelle Memorial Institute, the University of California, and the Texas A&M University System.
Learn more about Los Alamos National Laboratory
Size
12,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1943

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