Commission Specialist

Sr Commissioning Coordinator

Contract: 12+ months contract (High Possibility of extension)

Location: (Hybrid) - Houston, TX or Duluth, MN or Boston MA or Minneapolis MN or Cushing OK or Salisbury MA

Position Overview

Responsible for coordinating and managing commissioning and start-up activities to ensure project equipment and systems are safe, reliable, and ready for operation. This role focuses on commissioning planning, budget and schedule management, deficiency resolution, and coordination with internal teams and external stakeholders.

The ideal candidate combines strong field execution experience with technical expertise and project coordination skills. Hands-on experience as a technician or engineer is essential, including the ability to independently perform commissioning, configuration, calibration, functional testing, and troubleshooting activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain comprehensive commissioning and start-up execution plans for liquid pipeline and gas transmission projects, including resource requirements, cost estimates, schedules, and execution strategies.
• Coordinate field commissioning activities for projects of varying sizes, overseeing internal technicians and specialized third-party contractors as required.
• Independently perform commissioning activities for smaller projects in coordination with Operations, including equipment configuration, calibration, start-up, functional testing, and troubleshooting.
• Apply hands-on technical expertise to wire, configure, test, and commission PLCs, instrumentation, control panels, communication systems, and related equipment.
• Provide technical input into the development and continuous improvement of commissioning procedures, checklists, and work practices.
• Participate in engineering design reviews across mechanical, process, electrical, and instrumentation disciplines to ensure commissioning requirements are incorporated into project designs.
• Provide technical support during commissioning and resolve equipment, system, and operational issues identified throughout the commissioning process.
• Ensure commissioning activities comply with established company procedures, project requirements, safety standards, and applicable industry codes.
• Monitor and manage project scope, schedules, budgets, quality expectations, and commissioning deficiencies.
• Coordinate equipment handover from Construction to Commissioning and from Commissioning to Operations, including detailed walkthroughs, inspections, and deficiency tracking.
• Provide planning and coordination support for outage management associated with both greenfield and brownfield construction projects.
• Schedule and coordinate commissioning work to meet project deadlines while maintaining safe working conditions.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously and coordinate priorities across project teams, construction personnel, operations teams, and contractors.
• Provide technical guidance, direction, and mentorship to Commissioning Coordinators, technicians, and other project stakeholders.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with field service providers and commissioning contractors, monitoring performance and ensuring alignment with project objectives.

Scope and Working Relationships

• Collaborate with project management, engineering, construction, and Operations teams to identify, manage, and resolve commissioning issues.
• Oversee third-party commissioning contractors and specialized service providers when required.
• Provide guidance and technical support to Commissioning Coordinators and other team members.
• Promote safe work practices, including permitting requirements, Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), and electrical safety procedures.
• Support the delivery of safe, reliable, and operationally ready pipeline and gas transmission infrastructure.

Required Qualifications

• Technical college degree or diploma in a relevant engineering or technical discipline.
• At least 10 years of technical experience in commissioning, start-up, field operations, maintenance, or a related technical discipline.
• Strong hands-on field experience with commissioning, equipment configuration, calibration, functional testing, and troubleshooting.
• Technical knowledge of applicable design, construction, and industry standards, such as API, NEC, CEC, CSA Z662, and NFPA 11.
• Demonstrated ability to independently lead and coordinate commissioning activities involving multidisciplinary teams, contractors, and other stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver work within established schedules and project requirements.
• Strong understanding of industrial safety practices, including work permits, Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), and electrical safety.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous commissioning experience in the oil and gas industry, particularly with liquid pipelines or gas transmission systems.
• Hands-on experience commissioning and troubleshooting rotating and static equipment.
• Experience coordinating third-party commissioning contractors and field service providers.
• Experience supporting greenfield and brownfield projects, including outage planning and execution.

Working Conditions

• Primarily office-based, with frequent scheduled travel to construction and commissioning sites across the U.S. pipeline system.
• Travel is expected to be approximately 20–30 days per quarter.
• The role may require extended working hours and occasional after-hours support, including evenings and weekends, to address project commissioning needs.
• After-hours calls and requests for technical guidance are expected approximately 5–10 times per quarter.
• Flexibility is required to support changing project schedules, commissioning milestones, and outage activities.