Commissioning Manager

F.H. Paschen•Chicago, IL

About The Position

F.H. Paschen has over 115 years of experience in the construction industry. You’ve driven on highways we paved, you’ve travelled through airports we modernized, you’ve commuted through rail stations we constructed, and your children learn in schools we built. But we are MORE than that. We offer MORE Versatility —as we work in any industry, offering any delivery method and service. We operate with MORE Tenacity —as we maneuver through tight schedules, spaces, and budgets. We provide MORE Ingenuity —by creating solutions to solve your greatest challenges. And we perform with MORE Pride—in focusing on safety and quality, and in offering more opportunities for our communities and diverse populations to build with us. We deliver far more than just on time and on budget—we deliver with MORE Paschen . Job Overview: The Commissioning Manager is responsible for ensuring that all Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Fire/Life Safety, and Fire Protection systems on major construction projects operate as intended. This role oversees the planning, testing, verification, and documentation of system performance from early construction through final turnover. You will work closely with project teams, subcontractors, engineers, and the Owner’s commissioning representatives to confirm that systems meet design standards, operate safely, and are ready for long‑term use. Your leadership helps ensure a smooth transition from construction to operations on some of the region’s most complex projects.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or equivalent trade experience.
4–10 years of construction or engineering experience, with a focus on commissioning.
Strong understanding of commissioning phases (L0–L6), and milestone‑driven deliverables.
Experience assessing commissioning‑related risk, schedule impact, and safety considerations.
Demonstrated ability to integrate fire/life safety systems with MEP/FP systems.
Experience with QA/QC processes, testing standards, and test-and-balance requirements.
Strong knowledge of design codes, industry standards, and system performance criteria.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, project management tools, and commissioning platforms (BIM360, CxAlloy, or similar).
Excellent communication, meeting facilitation, documentation, and technical writing skills.

Nice To Haves

National commissioning certifications are preferred: CxP, BCxP (ASHRAE), CxA (ACG), CCP (BCxA), QCxP.
Candidates actively pursuing certification are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

Represent and model the values of F.H. Paschen: tenacity, versatility, ingenuity, and pride.
Lead day‑to‑day commissioning activities on active project sites, coordinating with Project Managers, Superintendents, subcontractors, and discipline leads.
In partnership with the Owner’s Commissioning Provider, develop and execute comprehensive commissioning plans for all MEP/FP systems, including testing protocols, inspections, factory start‑ups, integrated systems tests, and turnover documentation.
Review commissioning scripts, evaluate system performance expectations, and provide technical recommendations to ensure alignment with design intent.
Participate in factory witness tests, functional performance testing, site inspections, and field verification activities.
Maintain thorough and timely commissioning documentation, including issue tracking, meeting minutes, field reports, and final commissioning reports.
Oversee planning and execution of specialized tests (NETA, SCADA, controls integration, systems interoperability, and operations validation).
Lead Owner training on commissioned systems, explaining system functionality, performance expectations, maintenance considerations, and failure scenarios.
Collaborate with project teams to ensure commissioning activities align with project milestones, system turnover strategies, and safety requirements.
Support project closeout by ensuring accurate documentation, validated testing, and complete system readiness.