Lead Life Safety Systems Commissioning Engineer

Cynet Systems•Clay, NY

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Lead Life Safety Systems (LSS) Commissioning Engineer serves as the senior technical authority and discipline lead for commissioning fire and life safety systems needed for safe occupancy, hazardous-material introduction, startup, and operation. The role plans, coordinates, validates, tests, and commissions assigned systems to demonstrate compliance with applicable codes, regulatory requirements, project specifications, approved sequences of operation, and operational objectives. Scope may include fire detection and alarm, fire suppression, smoke detection and control, emergency communications and mass notification, Hazardous Gas Monitoring Systems (HGMS), Emergency Shutdown Systems (ESD), emergency power interfaces, occupant evacuation, and related infrastructure. The engineer verifies system readiness and performs or manages functional and integrated testing of alarms, interlocks, cause-and-effect matrices, shutdown actions, ventilation responses, and interfaces with building management, HVAC, security, and process control systems. As the primary on-site technical lead for LSS commissioning, the engineer works with engineering, construction, QA/QC, EHS, operations, vendors, equipment suppliers, the Commissioning Team, and Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs). The role provides technical leadership through system turnover, FAT/SAT activities, integrated systems testing, deficiency resolution, regulatory inspections, and final handover. The position is part-time telework and requires at least three days of in-person attendance per week at the assigned office or project location.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or international equivalent and 10+ years of relevant experience, or 14+ years of relevant work experience.
Experience in commissioning or a technical consulting field such as facility design, engineering, or construction management.
Ability to identify owner's goals, needs, and expectations for building operation and function and associated commissioning responsibilities.
Knowledge of fire alarm systems; wet-pipe, pre-action, deluge, and clean-agent suppression systems; and smoke detection and smoke control systems.
Knowledge of HGMS, ESD, mass notification, occupant evacuation and emergency response systems, and emergency power interfaces.
Knowledge of toxic, corrosive, pyrophoric, and flammable gas systems and HPM requirements.
Familiarity with semiconductor facility standards, clean rooms, and critical power.
Proven leadership and supervisory skills, with a focus on mentorship and accountability.
Strong verbal and written communication and stakeholder engagement skills for coordination with engineering, operations, and client teams.
Demonstrated time management and organization skills to meet deadlines and quality objectives.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Fire Protection Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Construction Management.
10+ years of hands-on U.S. experience in fire construction, building life safety systems, or semiconductor facility management.
Knowledge of NFPA 72, NFPA 13, NFPA 20, NFPA 25, NFPA 70 (NEC), and NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code).
Knowledge of semiconductor-specific fire code requirements for Group H-5 occupancies.
Experience with commissioning software such as Hexagon's Smart Completions and/or digital software.
Experience leading a team on a jobsite.

Responsibilities

Lead commissioning of fire and life safety systems from construction completion through startup and handover, coordinating contractors, subcontractors, and vendors during testing and commissioning.
Develop commissioning plans, test procedures, test scripts, integrated systems testing protocols, and acceptance criteria aligned with project requirements.
Manage functional performance testing, performance verification, and troubleshooting of fire alarm, clean agent suppression, sprinkler, foam, smoke control, emergency communication, and hazardous gas detection systems.
Support integrated systems testing to validate interactions between fire protection, building management, process safety, HVAC, emergency power, and control systems.
Verify compliance with applicable NFPA standards, IBC, IFC, NEC, local regulations, and client-specific requirements.
Review and interpret design documents, submittals, drawings, P&ID diagrams, control schematics, sequences of operation, and test results for alignment with project requirements and operational intent.
Coordinate with engineering, construction, QA/QC, operations, vendors, owner representatives, and AHJs to resolve deficiencies and technical issues and achieve system acceptance.
Witness factory acceptance tests (FATs) and site acceptance tests (SATs) as required.
Maintain and deliver complete turnover documentation, test records, deficiency tracking, and final acceptance documentation.
Ensure adherence to project safety requirements and lockout/tagout procedures.