Commissioning Professional (Startup Specialist 3)

About Los Alamos National Laboratory

Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security.

Salary $96,600 to $158,000

Our generous benefits package includes

• PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
• Dental and vision insurance
• Free basic life and disability insurance
• Paid childbirth and parental leave
• Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
• Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
• Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
• Onsite gyms and wellness programs
• Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)

About the Role

This position is open for external candidates only to apply. You will plan and execute turnover, commissioning and startup activities for capital projects across Los Alamos National Laboratory's campus, supporting everything from HVAC and instrumentation and controls upgrades to new research laboratories and utility infrastructure. Working within the Construction Project Execution - Project Completion and Startup Group, LANL's Startup, Turnover, and Commissioning Services organization, you will translate design intent into testable acceptance criteria, coordinate safe field execution with construction and operations partners, and produce clear documentation that demonstrates systems are ready to support mission work.

Responsibilities

• Review design and construction deliverables for testability, operability, and maintainability
• Develop commissioning plans, verification checklists, and functional performance test procedures
• Direct or witness testing as the test director
• Coordinate turnover and sequencing with project and construction leadership
• Manage issues resolution through closeout
• Deliver final commissioning / test summary reporting
• Provide oversight and technical guidance to subcontracted commissioning providers
• Support training handoff to operations

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering or scientific discipline from an accredited institution and 8 years of directly related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Skills

• Commissioning and startup execution: Ability to plan and conduct pre-commissioning, functional performance testing, and initial operation activities for mechanical, electrical, and/or instrumentation and controls systems, ensuring work is performed safely, efficiently, and in alignment with scope, schedule, and budget.
• Engineered systems knowledge: Working knowledge of equipment operation, applicable codes and standards, and design criteria, with the ability to interpret drawings and specifications, develop test procedures, and evaluate results against defined acceptance criteria and design intent.
• Design and constructability review: Demonstrated capability to review design packages and construction submittals, identify operability/maintainability risks, and provide actionable comments that improve testability, safety, and long-term operations outcomes.
• Project integration and vendor coordination: Skill coordinating across engineering, construction, project management, operations, subcontractors, and vendors to sequence turnover, resolve issues, and maintain clear configuration and documentation control throughout commissioning.
• Safety leadership and compliance: Ability to lead work with a zero-accident mindset, comply with site safety and security requirements, and stop work when conditions are unsafe or could compromise security.
• Communication and documentation: Ability to produce and present commissioning deliverables, including commissioning plans, checklists, functional test procedures, issues logs, and final commissioning or test summary reports.

Preferred Skills

• Experience applying structured commissioning processes and deliverables (e.g., commissioning plans, verification checklists, functional performance tests, issues management, training coordination, and turnover and closeout documentation) consistent with industry guidance (BCxA, ACG, and ASHRAE).
• Experience with building automation systems, data acquisition, trending, and controls sequence verification to support functional testing and troubleshooting.
• Familiarity with high-performance building delivery approaches such as LEED and Department of Energy high-performance sustainable building guiding principles.
• Experience working in regulated, high-consequence, or mission-critical environments with strong quality assurance expectations.
• Department of Energy Q clearance.

Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China - including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau - as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer and supports a diverse and inclusive workforce. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call 1-505-664-6947 option 2.