Energization Engineer - Mechanical Subject Matter Expert (SME)

FusionIRX is seeking an exceptional, highly experienced Energization Engineer - Mechanical Subject Matter Expert (SME) to provide technical leadership, engineering oversight, and coordination of mechanical system energization, startup, and operational readiness activities for a large-scale, state-of-the-art semiconductor fabrication manufacturing construction project.

The ideal candidate will possess a minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in mechanical engineering, industrial mechanical systems, process utilities, construction, commissioning, and system startup, with extensive expertise in complex mechanical infrastructure supporting semiconductor manufacturing or similarly demanding mission-critical environments.

The Mechanical Energization Engineer SME will serve as a senior technical authority responsible for developing, reviewing, coordinating, and overseeing mechanical system energization strategies, procedures, readiness assessments, and initial startup activities.

For this position, mechanical energization refers to the controlled introduction or restoration of pressure, flow, thermal energy, stored mechanical energy, and operational power into mechanical systems and equipment, including the initial startup and activation of critical facility utilities.

The successful candidate will play a critical role in verifying that newly constructed mechanical infrastructure is properly installed, inspected, tested, cleaned, and technically prepared for safe introduction of energy and transition into operational service.

This position requires exceptional mechanical engineering expertise, comprehensive knowledge of pressurized systems and process utilities, strong problem-solving capabilities, and the ability to coordinate multiple contractors, engineering disciplines, commissioning teams, and facility operations personnel in a fast-paced, schedule-driven construction environment.

Key Responsibilities

1. Mechanical Energization Engineering & Technical Leadership

Serve as the senior technical resource responsible for engineering readiness, planning, and coordination of mechanical system energization and startup activities throughout the construction and commissioning lifecycle.

• Develop, review, and coordinate comprehensive mechanical energization plans, procedures, and startup strategies.
• Provide technical oversight for introducing pressure, flow, thermal energy, and mechanical operation into newly constructed facility systems.
• Establish technical prerequisites and system readiness criteria before mechanical energization and startup.
• Evaluate mechanical system designs, configurations, and operating requirements to identify energization concerns.
• Coordinate staged mechanical system activation based on construction completion, testing readiness, system dependencies, and operational requirements.
• Review system boundaries, pressure ratings, equipment limitations, valve configurations, and operating sequences.
• Coordinate mechanical energization planning with construction management, mechanical engineering, commissioning, QA/QC, Energy Marshals, EHS, and owner representatives.
• Review construction completion status, inspection records, equipment readiness, test results, and outstanding deficiencies.
• Identify potential mechanical hazards, equipment protection concerns, and operational reliability risks.
• Provide technical recommendations regarding system readiness and unresolved engineering issues.
• Support the controlled transition of mechanical systems from construction through initial operation, commissioning, and final turnover.
• Lead technical troubleshooting and coordinate resolution of complex mechanical startup issues.

2. Mechanical Systems & Critical Utility Infrastructure

Provide engineering oversight for mechanical energization and startup of critical infrastructure supporting semiconductor manufacturing operations.

Systems and equipment may include:

• Chilled Water (CHW) systems.
• Process Cooling Water (PCW) systems.
• Condenser Water (CW) systems.
• Heating Hot Water (HHW) systems.
• Ultra-Pure Water (UPW) generation and distribution.
• Industrial water and domestic water systems.
• Cooling towers and associated distribution systems.
• Chillers, heat exchangers, pumps, and circulation equipment.
• Compressed Dry Air (CDA) systems.
• Plant compressed air and instrument air systems.
• Nitrogen generation and distribution systems.
• Vacuum and process vacuum systems.
• Steam and condensate systems.
• Industrial Wastewater Treatment (IWT) systems.
• Acid Waste Neutralization (AWN) systems.
• Process piping and utility distribution networks.
• Specialty gas and process chemical support systems.
• Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems.
• Air-handling units, exhaust systems, and critical ventilation equipment.
• Cleanroom environmental control infrastructure.
• Mechanical utilities supporting semiconductor manufacturing equipment and tool hook-ups.

Responsibilities include:

• Review and interpret Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs), mechanical flow diagrams, equipment specifications, and system layouts.
• Evaluate mechanical system configurations and interconnected utility networks before startup.
• Verify equipment ratings, design pressures, temperatures, flow requirements, and operating limitations.
• Review installation and testing records for mechanical systems and equipment.
• Coordinate readiness of upstream and downstream mechanical infrastructure.
• Evaluate the effects of introducing flow, pressure, temperature, or equipment operation on interconnected systems.
• Identify deficiencies or configuration conflicts that could compromise safe mechanical energization or reliable operation.

3. Pre-Energization Readiness Assessments

Lead and participate in comprehensive mechanical readiness assessments to verify that systems are technically prepared for startup and introduction of operational energy.

• Develop and review mechanical pre-energization inspection checklists and readiness requirements.
• Conduct system walkdowns with mechanical construction, commissioning, QA/QC, EHS, and facility operations personnel.
• Verify construction completion against approved engineering drawings, specifications, and project requirements.
• Review pressure testing, leak testing, inspection, cleaning, flushing, and other system preparation records.
• Verify that piping systems and equipment have satisfied applicable inspection and testing requirements.
• Evaluate mechanical equipment installation, alignment, lubrication, supports, and manufacturer startup requirements.
• Review the status of temporary piping connections, test equipment, construction blinds, and system modifications.
• Verify that system isolation boundaries and operating configurations are documented.
• Confirm availability of required instrumentation, pressure monitoring, temperature monitoring, and control devices.
• Review outstanding punch-list items, deficiencies, nonconformances, and incomplete construction activities.
• Evaluate potential hazards associated with stored pressure, trapped fluids, thermal expansion, and unexpected equipment movement.
• Coordinate resolution of mechanical energization readiness deficiencies.
• Document readiness findings and provide technical recommendations during formal system release meetings.

Mechanical systems shall not be recommended for energization until applicable engineering, construction, testing, safety, and operational readiness requirements have been satisfied. Unresolved safety-critical deficiencies must be corrected before system release.

4. Mechanical Pressurization, Startup & System Activation

Provide engineering oversight and technical coordination of initial mechanical system pressurization, equipment startup, and operational activation.

• Develop and review mechanical startup sequences and system activation procedures.
• Coordinate initial introduction of fluids, gases, and operational pressure into mechanical systems.
• Review controlled filling, venting, purging, pressure stabilization, and circulation requirements.
• Coordinate startup of pumps, compressors, chillers, cooling towers, and other mechanical equipment.
• Evaluate equipment startup prerequisites, protective devices, operating limits, and manufacturer recommendations.
• Review operating sequences involving valves, control devices, actuators, and pressure regulation equipment.
• Identify potential hydraulic shock, water hammer, pressure surges, cavitation, or thermal shock conditions.
• Evaluate system response during initial pressurization and flow establishment.
• Monitor technical startup observations and evaluate abnormal operating conditions.
• Coordinate troubleshooting of leakage, vibration, excessive pressure differential, unstable flow, or equipment performance problems.
• Support system balancing, flow verification, and performance stabilization activities.
• Coordinate corrective actions before systems proceed to subsequent commissioning phases.
• Support post-startup inspections and verification of operational performance.

Physical equipment operation, valve manipulation, pressure release, and system activation shall be performed only by designated, qualified, and authorized personnel in accordance with approved project procedures. The Energization Engineer provides technical oversight and engineering coordination within their assigned authority.

5. Mechanical Pressure Testing & System Integrity Verification

Provide technical evaluation of mechanical system testing and integrity requirements associated with energization readiness.

• Review hydrostatic and pneumatic pressure testing procedures.
• Evaluate applicable test pressure requirements, system design limitations, and acceptance criteria.
• Coordinate with qualified mechanical testing contractors and inspection personnel.
• Review pressure test boundaries, equipment protection measures, and temporary test arrangements.
• Verify completion of required pressure and leak testing documentation.
• Evaluate test results and identify unresolved mechanical integrity concerns.
• Review mechanical system cleaning, flushing, and blowdown documentation where applicable.
• Verify completion of required pipe inspection and testing records.
• Evaluate outstanding leaks, equipment deficiencies, and pressure containment concerns.
• Support corrective action resolution and retesting requirements.
• Review applicable manufacturer testing and equipment startup records.
• Ensure pressure testing documentation supports mechanical system acceptance and release for operation.

6. Mechanical Energy Isolation & Hazardous Energy Control Coordination

Work closely with the Mechanical Energy Marshal SME, Electrical Energy Marshal SME, EHS personnel, and designated facility authorities to ensure energization activities are coordinated with established hazardous energy control requirements.

• Review mechanical energy hazards associated with planned startup and pressurization activities.
• Coordinate technical requirements with mechanical LOTO and energy isolation procedures.
• Evaluate system isolation boundaries and potential stored-energy conditions.
• Identify risks associated with pressure, temperature, rotating equipment, gravity, and automatic equipment operation.
• Review potential backflow, trapped pressure, residual energy, and system cross-connection conditions.
• Coordinate with the Mechanical Energy Marshal regarding isolation release and system status changes.
• Review mechanical and electrical isolation interfaces for powered mechanical equipment.
• Support risk assessments and pre-energization safety reviews.
• Verify that appropriate personnel protection measures, access restrictions, and operating boundaries are established.
• Coordinate technical readiness requirements with authorized personnel responsible for isolation removal and system activation.
• Identify conflicting construction, maintenance, or commissioning activities that may affect system energization.
• Escalate unresolved hazardous energy concerns immediately.
• Exercise stop-work authority in accordance with established project procedures.

7. Semiconductor Manufacturing & High-Purity Process Infrastructure

Provide specialized mechanical energization expertise for critical systems supporting semiconductor fabrication and manufacturing operations.

Responsibilities include:

• Coordinate mechanical energization requirements for cleanroom and semiconductor process utility infrastructure.
• Review startup procedures for UPW, PCW, CDA, nitrogen, vacuum, and other critical facility utilities.
• Evaluate cleanliness, contamination control, pressure stability, and operational readiness requirements.
• Coordinate utility availability with semiconductor manufacturing equipment installation and tool hook-up milestones.
• Review process piping system configurations and operating requirements.
• Evaluate potential effects of pressure, flow, temperature, or equipment startup on sensitive manufacturing infrastructure.
• Support readiness reviews for high-purity piping and distribution systems.
• Coordinate with specialty gas, chemical distribution, and process piping SMEs regarding system activation requirements.
• Evaluate system dependencies affecting cleanroom environmental conditions.
• Review process utility performance requirements and operational limits.
• Support safe introduction of utilities to manufacturing equipment in accordance with approved interface and startup requirements.
• Coordinate technical resolution of deficienc