Commissioning Manager

Job Title: Commissioning Manager
FLSA Status: Exempt

Summary
The Commissioning Manager is responsible for planning, leading, and overseeing all commissioning and energization activities for utility-scale solar infrastructure projects. This role provides technical leadership and operational oversight from pre-commissioning through final energization and turnover, ensuring systems are installed, tested, and energized in accordance with engineering intent, applicable codes, contract requirements, and project schedules. The Commissioning Manager serves as the primary point of coordination between commissioning teams, project management, engineering, vendors, and clients during the final phases of project delivery.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee commissioning and energization activities across assigned solar projects.
• Develop, implement, and track commissioning plans, testing procedures, and energization strategies.
• Oversee pre-commissioning, functional testing, system integration testing, and final energization activities.
• Develop and enforce standardized commissioning protocols, test documentation, and turnover workflows.
• Coordinate switching, breaker operations, lock-out/tag-out (LOTO), and energization procedures, including backfeeding and grid interconnection.
• Validate installation and pre-functional checklists for electrical equipment including inverters, transformers, switchgear, breakers, protection systems, and balance-of-plant components.
• Schedule, lead, and troubleshoot functional performance testing (FPT) activities.
• Coordinate and manage third-party commissioning vendors and specialized testing services.
• Direct and support commissioning engineers, technicians, and trade partners in field execution.
• Review and verify commissioning documentation, test records, and deficiency tracking to ensure completeness and compliance.
• Serve as the primary interface with the Commissioning Authority (CxA), Owners, utilities, and client representatives during witness testing and energization.
• Coordinate system walkdowns, inspections, punch list resolution, and final turnover documentation.
• Monitor commissioning schedules, manpower, and costs to ensure milestones are met within project deadlines.
• Serve as the escalation point for complex commissioning issues, energization risks, and grid coordination challenges.
• Promote safe work practices and ensure compliance with OSHA, NFPA 70E, and site-specific safety requirements.
• Provide regular progress reporting to project management and senior leadership.
• Support continuous improvement by capturing lessons learned and refining commissioning processes and procedures.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong expertise in commissioning processes, electrical system startup, energization, and testing for utility-scale solar projects.
• Thorough understanding of NEC, NFPA 70E, IEEE standards, NETA ATS/MTS, and electrical interconnection requirements.
• Ability to interpret one-line diagrams, schematics, protection logic, relay settings, and equipment submittals.
• Proficiency in supervising commissioning, testing, and startup of high, medium, low voltage, and DC electrical systems.
• Strong project planning, scheduling, forecasting, and risk mitigation skills.
• Ability to coordinate cross-functional teams including construction, engineering, vendors, and clients.
• Strong leadership and team management skills with the ability to mentor and develop commissioning personnel.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and documentation skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with construction documentation platforms such as Procore and Bluebeam.
• Ability to remain calm, professional, and decisive in high-risk, schedule-driven environments.
• Willingness to travel to project sites as required.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field required; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Minimum of 8–10 years of experience in electrical construction, commissioning, or EPC operations, with utility-scale solar experience preferred.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in a supervisory or management role overseeing commissioning teams.
• Demonstrated experience with energization, switching, and grid interconnection activities.
• Commissioning experience with solar, BESS (Battery Energy Storage Systems), or wind projects preferred.
• NFPA 70E training and OSHA 30 certification required.
• Willingness to obtain any additional licenses or certifications required for the role.

Pre-Employment Requirement
Candidates who accept an offer of employment are required to undergo and successfully complete a pre-employment physical examination. This exam ensures that all potential employees meet the necessary health and fitness standards for the role. The examination includes a series of tests and evaluations conducted by a certified medical professional to assess overall physical health, identify any potential medical conditions that could interfere with job performance, and verify that the candidate is capable of safely performing the essential duties of the position. Completion and clearance of this physical are mandatory steps in the hiring process.