Sr. Commissioning Engineer

Smith Engineering•New York, NY

11d•Onsite

About The Position

Smith Engineering is a growing MEP and Energy Engineering firm serving mission-critical clients across life sciences, data centers, healthcare, higher education, and commercial real estate. We operate multiple divisions — Energy, Design, Training, and Controls through our sister company, BEP — with a strong presence in the Northeast and Colorado. We are a team of engineers who care about the quality of our work and the growth of our people. We are seeking a Sr. Commissioning Engineer to join our Energy Group. In this hands-on technical role, you will be responsible for executing commissioning and retro-commissioning (RCx) projects across large commercial properties, central plants, and critical facilities throughout New York City. You will work directly in the field to inspect, test, and optimize complex HVAC and mechanical systems, analyze trend data from Building Automation/Management Systems (BMS), identify building operational inefficiencies, and provide actionable solutions that drive measurable energy savings and asset performance.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline, along with 5–10 years of hands-on experience in commissioning, retro-commissioning (RCx), or mechanical energy engineering.
Deep working knowledge of HVAC systems, central plants, controls, and ASHRAE commissioning guidelines, with a strong focus on large commercial or complex facilities. AI proficiency is required.
Active OSHA 10 certification (or OSHA 30) is required, along with a strong commitment to job site safety and best practices in machine rooms and central mechanical plants.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills; proven ability to build trust and rapport with chief engineers, union operators, and building managers in high-pressure field environments.
Highly self-motivated, detail-oriented, and tenacious in technical problem-solving—willing to go the extra mile to discover root causes and unlock value.

Nice To Haves

Certified Commissioning Professional (CCP)
Existing Building Commissioning Professional (EBCP)
Building Commissioning Professional (BCXP)
Certified Commissioning Authority (CxA)
Experience executing retro-commissioning or commissioning projects in large commercial high-rises, data centers, central utility plants, or major institutional/hospital facilities.
Experience using advanced BMS trend-logging tools, automated analytics, or data-driven fault detection platforms.

Responsibilities

Conduct thorough in-field functional testing, retro-commissioning, and diagnostic evaluations of complex HVAC systems, central plant equipment, and building management systems.
Act as an operational "bloodhound" to identify hidden building performance issues, operational drift, and system inefficiencies, delivering clear pathways to resolution.
Analyze trend data within Building Management Systems (BMS) to evaluate equipment performance, troubleshoot operational anomalies, and leverage data-driven insights.
Execute high-value Local Law 87 retro-commissioning projects and ASHRAE-aligned commissioning activities, ensuring rigorous quality standards beyond basic compliance checking.
Build strong, professional working relationships with chief engineers, building operators, facility managers, and client teams to ensure seamless execution on site.
Contribute to improving internal processes, leveraging data tools, and expanding technical efficiency in field data collection and analysis.