Mechanical Commissioning Lead

Kent•Houston, TX

About The Position

Kent is seeking an experienced Mechanical Commissioning Lead to support the Kilby Project through commissioning planning, field execution, start-up, and handover to Operations. The role will initially support commissioning planning and readiness from Houston, then transition to the site during execution. The lead will provide technical and field leadership for mechanical commissioning, ensuring systems and equipment are safely prepared, tested, and handed over in accordance with project requirements, schedule, and Kent commissioning practices. The planning strategy anticipates involvement from approximately the 60% engineering model review stage. During planning, the role develops commissioning strategies and procedures, reviews engineering deliverables for commissionability, supports systemization and turnover planning, defines mechanical preparation and testing requirements, develops schedule and resource inputs, and coordinates with project teams, vendors, and the Completions Lead. During execution, the role leads mechanical pre-commissioning and commissioning in the field, directs commissioning personnel and vendor specialists, oversees equipment and system commissioning, coordinates safe work interfaces, tracks progress and turnover, supports start-up and troubleshooting, and hands systems over to Operations. The role also provides visible HSSE leadership, promotes Kent’s Stop Work culture, ensures work is risk-assessed and performed under approved procedures and Control of Work requirements, and proactively addresses safety, technical, and execution risks. The employee may also perform other reasonable tasks within the scope of their skills and role as directed by a supervisor or management.

Requirements

Degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent technical qualification.
Working experience commissioning GE 330 MW simple-cycle gas turbines and/or Solar T350 gensets.
15+ years of experience in Mechanical Completion, pre-commissioning, commissioning, start-up, and/or Operations on major energy or industrial projects.
Strong experience with rotating and static equipment, piping, and utility/process systems.
Proven experience developing and executing mechanical commissioning procedures.
Strong knowledge of Systems Completion, systemization, turnover, punch management, and commissioning databases.
Experience with Level 3/4 commissioning schedules and resource planning.
Knowledge of PTW, LOTO, SIMOPS, Management of Change, and commissioning readiness processes.
Full fluency in English.
Ability to work effectively across Engineering, Construction, Commissioning, and Operations teams.
Strong leadership, communication, vendor coordination, and field execution skills.

Responsibilities

Develop mechanical commissioning strategies, procedures, check sheets, and Dynamic Commissioning Procedures.
Review engineering deliverables and provide commissionability input.
Support systemization, subsystem boundaries, turnover priorities, and commissioning sequence.
Define requirements for flushing, cleaning, leak testing, drying, purging, preservation, first fills, and rotating equipment commissioning.
Support development of the Level 3/4 commissioning schedule and mechanical resource plan.
Identify commissioning spares, temporary equipment, tools, consumables, and vendor/OEM support requirements.
Support FATs and coordinate mechanical commissioning requirements with Engineering, Construction, Operations, Completions, and vendors.
Work with the Completions Lead to validate mechanical tag data, check-sheet allocation, and Systems Completion Database requirements.
Lead mechanical pre-commissioning and commissioning activities in the field.
Direct Mechanical Commissioning Engineers, Supervisors, Technicians, and vendor specialists.
Lead execution of approved mechanical commissioning procedures and work packs.
Oversee commissioning of rotating and static equipment, piping, and mechanical systems.
Support Mechanical Completion and system handover walkdowns and drive closure of commissioning-critical punch items.
Coordinate PTW, LOTO, SIMOPS, and mechanical commissioning interfaces.
Monitor mechanical commissioning progress and provide daily status, weekly reporting, and look-ahead plans.
Drive the CMS skyline and schedule for turnover and handover.
Support equipment start-up, troubleshooting, performance testing, and final handover to Operations.
Demonstrate visible HSSE leadership and promote Kent's Stop Work culture.
Ensure mechanical commissioning activities are properly risk assessed and executed under approved procedures and Control of Work requirements.
Proactively identify and resolve safety, technical, and execution risks before work begins.
Observe the Health, Safety, Sustainability, Environment, and Quality rules of the Company, its clients, and the governing authorities of the host country.
Perform other reasonable ad-hoc tasks within the scope of the employee's skills, capabilities, and role, as directed by a supervisor or management.