Manager, Commissioning

AECON • Charlotte, NC

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Project Site Commissioning Manager is responsible for planning, directing, and safely executing all pre-commissioning, commissioning, startup, testing, turnover, and operational readiness activities required from construction turnover to commercial operation. Provides leadership and oversight for all commissioning and startup activities associated with power generation and nuclear projects, including combined cycle, simple cycle, reciprocating engine, renewable, conventional thermal generation, and advanced nuclear facilities. The role serves as the primary interface between Engineering, Construction, Operations, Quality, Owners, Vendors, and OEM representatives to ensure systems are tested, validated, and transferred safely and efficiently from construction completion through commercial operation while ensuring compliance with applicable safety, quality, regulatory, and contractual requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a related technical discipline.
• 10 to 15+ years of power generation, industrial commissioning, startup, construction, or operations experience.
• 5+ years in a leadership role managing commissioning activities on large EPC projects.
• Experience with combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT), simple cycle, reciprocating engine, thermal generation facilities, or other highly regulated industrial facilities.
• Demonstrated experience managing system turnover, testing, and commercial operation readiness.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary commissioning teams on large EPC, nuclear, or industrial projects.
• Experience managing testing, turnover, startup, and operational readiness programs.
• Experience working within regulated quality assurance programs and complex stakeholder environments.
• Basic knowledge of turbines, generators, HRSGs, transformers, switchyards, protection systems, DCS/PLC controls, balance-of-plant systems, fuel gas systems, and water treatment systems.
• Strong knowledge of applicable industry standards, nuclear quality programs, commissioning methodologies, turnover processes, startup practices, codes, and safety requirements.
• Ability to satisfy applicable nuclear security, site access authorization, and export control requirements.
• Ability to travel and work at project sites as required.

Nice To Haves

• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for all commissioning and startup matters.
• Develop and implement the project Commissioning and Startup Plan.
• Develop testing, turnover, operational readiness, and startup strategies, including system turnover criteria and readiness milestones.
• Establish commissioning procedures, schedules, and turnover strategies.
• Define system boundaries and turnover packages.
• Coordinate pre-commissioning, commissioning, startup, and performance testing activities.
• Develop and maintain commissioning schedules and work plans.
• Lead and manage commissioning engineers, startup specialists, operators, and technical advisors.
• Coordinate activities between construction, engineering, vendors, subcontractors, and plant operations personnel.
• Coordinate interfaces with operations, maintenance, quality assurance, licensing, regulators, and other project stakeholders to support testing, turnover, and startup activities.
• Ensure adequate staffing, training, and resource allocation throughout commissioning phases.
• Maintain overall responsibility for commissioning safety performance.
• Implement Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), clearance, and hazardous energy control programs.
• Promote a strong nuclear safety culture and conservative decision-making practices throughout commissioning activities.
• Conduct risk assessments, commissioning readiness reviews, and operational readiness evaluations to support safe system energization and startup.
• Ensure compliance with project HSE requirements, quality assurance programs, regulatory requirements, nuclear safety expectations, and project procedures.
• Manage the transfer of systems from Construction to Commissioning and from Commissioning to Owner Operations.
• Verify completion of punch-list items and turnover documentation.
• Coordinate operator training and operational readiness activities.
• Ensure systems meet contractual performance requirements before acceptance.
• Direct mechanical completion verification activities.
• Participate in design reviews, constructability reviews, technical reviews, and commissioning readiness assessments to ensure design intent is maintained through turnover and startup.
• Oversee flushing, cleaning, energization, functional testing, and startup of plant systems.
• Manage integrated system testing, first-fire activities, reliability runs, and performance testing.
• Validate system performance against design and contractual guarantees.
• Support closure of engineering actions, deficiencies, audits, corrective actions, and commissioning-related punch-list items.
• Coordinate OEM field service representatives, vendor technical advisors, and client stakeholders to support testing, troubleshooting, startup, and performance verification activities.
• Interface with client representatives and plant operations personnel.
• Prepare regular commissioning reports, schedules, and readiness assessments.
• Capture and communicate commissioning lessons learned and best practices to support continuous improvement.
• Foster an inclusive work environment that promotes safety, collaboration, technical excellence, and professional development.

Benefits

• Ensure you and your family receive the services and benefits needed to support your mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
• Investing in your development through Aecon University, tuition reimbursement, and Leadership Programs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager