Commissioning Director

Overview

About Suffolk

Suffolk is a national enterprise that builds, innovates, and invests. We provide value across the entire project lifecycle through our core construction management services and complementary business lines in real estate investment, design, self-perform construction, and technology start-up investment (Suffolk Technologies). By integrating data, artificial intelligence, and advanced technology through our Seamless Platform, we connect design, construction, and operations to deliver smarter, more predictable results and redefine how America builds. 

Suffolk – America’s Contractor – is a national company with more than $9 billion in annual revenue, 3,000 employees, and 17 offices, including Boston (headquarters), New York City, Miami, West Palm Beach, Tampa, Estero, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Las Vegas, Herndon, U.S. Virgin Islands, and other key markets. Suffolk manages some of the most complex and transformative projects in the country, serving clients across healthcare, life sciences, education, gaming, aviation, transportation, government, mission critical, and commercial sectors. Suffolk is privately held and is led by founder, chairman and CEO John Fish. Suffolk is ranked #8 on ENR’s list of “Top CM-at-Risk Contractors.” For more information, visit  and follow Suffolk on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram. 

At Suffolk, we believe that our total rewards program should offer you and your family the support you need when it matters most. That’s why we have created a program that provides employees with access to a wide variety of options that can be personalized to support you and your loved ones physically, emotionally, and financially. 

Benefits include, competitive salaries, auto allowances and gas cards for certain roles, access to market leading medical and emotional and mental health benefits, dental, and vision insurance plans, virtual care options for physical therapy and primary care, generous paid time off, 401k plan with employer match and access to expert financial resources, company paid and voluntary life insurance, tax deferred savings accounts, 10 backup daycare days each year, short- and long-term disability, commuter benefits and more.  For more information, click here. 

Position Overview 

Suffolk is seeking a Commissioning Director to lead the expansion of commissioning services across the Western United States. 

This role provides an opportunity for an experienced commissioning leader to build and lead a regional commissioning practice while delivering commissioning services for complex, high-performance buildings. 

The Commissioning Director will work closely with Suffolk’s national commissioning leadership to deliver commissioning services across a portfolio of projects including: 

• Life sciences and laboratory facilities 

• Healthcare facilities 

• Higher education buildings 

• Large-scale commercial developments 

Unlike traditional commissioning consulting roles, this position integrates commissioning leadership directly into construction delivery and high-performance building implementation, enabling commissioning strategies to influence design, construction, and operational performance. 

The role combines technical commissioning leadership, regional practice development, and client engagement. 

Responsibilities

Core Responsibilities 

• Regional Commissioning Practice Leadership 

• Lead commissioning services across Suffolk’s Western Region offices. 

• Establish regional commissioning practices aligned with Suffolk’s national commissioning standards. 

• Build and grow a regional commissioning team including commissioning managers and engineers. 

• Refine commissioning methodologies and best practices that support complex project delivery. 

• Technical Commissioning Leadership 

• Serve as commissioning lead for complex building projects either as: 

• Commissioning manager supporting Suffolk project delivery. 

• Third-party commissioning authority (CxA) 

• Responsibilities include: 

• Design Phase Commissioning 

• Review Owner Project Requirements (OPR) and Basis of Design (BOD) documentation. 

• Conduct design reviews focused on system performance, constructability, and controls integration. 

• Provide technical recommendations related to building performance and operational reliability. 

• Construction Phase Commissioning 

• Review submittals, installation documentation, start-up reports, and prefunctional checklists. 

• Coordinate commissioning activities with contractors, engineers, and owners. 

• Conduct site visits to verify installation readiness and system performance. 

• Functional Performance Testing 

• Lead or witness functional testing of building systems including: 

• HVAC systems 

• Electrical power distribution systems 

• Emergency and standby power systems 

• Building automation systems 

• Life safety systems 

• Renewable energy systems 

• Identify deficiencies and support corrective actions to achieve design performance objectives. 

• High-Performance Building Delivery 

• Support commissioning strategies for high-performance buildings and decarbonization initiatives. 

• Verify building system performance relative to energy efficiency and operational objectives. 

• Provide technical insight into building performance optimization and operational reliability. 

• Client Engagement & Industry Leadership 

• Serve as a trusted technical advisor to owners. 

• Communicate commissioning strategies and findings to project stakeholders. 

• Participate in proposal development and client pursuits for commissioning services. 

• Represent Suffolk commissioning services in industry forums and professional organizations. 

• Team Leadership & Mentorship 

• Manage and mentor commissioning managers and engineers. 

• Support recruiting and onboarding of commissioning professionals. 

• Provide technical guidance and professional development for staff. 

• Promote technical excellence and collaboration across project teams. 

• Digital Commissioning & Performance Verification 

• Implement digital commissioning workflows. 

• Utilize monitoring and data acquisition tools to validate system performance. 

• Support development of data-driven commissioning processes and building performance analytics. 

Qualifications

Qualifications 

• Education 

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Architectural Engineering, or a related engineering discipline from an ABET-accredited program. 

• Experience 

• Minimum 12–15 years of experience in building systems commissioning, building engineering, or related fields. 

• Demonstrated experience leading commissioning teams on complex projects. 

• Preferred project experience includes: 

• Laboratories and life sciences facilities 

• Healthcare facilities 

• Higher education facilities 

• Central utility plants and district energy systems 

• Professional Certifications (Preferred) 

• Certified Commissioning Professional (CCP) 

• CxA Certification 

• Certified Energy Manager 

• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred 

• Technical Expertise 

• Strong knowledge of commissioning processes and building systems including: 

• Mechanical Systems 

• Air handling systems 

• Chilled water and heating systems 

• Heat pump systems 

• Laboratory HVAC systems 

• Central utility plants 

• Electrical Systems 

• Power distribution systems 

• Emergency power and generator systems 

• UPS systems 

• Electrical acceptance testing 

• Controls 

• Building automation systems (BAS) 

• Sequence of operations verification 

• System integration and performance optimization 

• Commissioning Standards Expertise 

• Familiarity with commissioning standards and best practices including: 

• ASHRAE commissioning standards (ASHRAE 0 and ASHRAE 202) 

• Building Commissioning Association commissioning guidelines 

• National Electrical Testing Association electrical testing standards 

• National Environmental Balancing Bureau TAB procedures 

• Professional Competencies 

• Strong technical problem-solving skills and building systems expertise. 

• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to diverse project stakeholders. 

• Demonstrated leadership of multidisciplinary project teams. 

• Strong project management and organizational skills. 

• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment. 

Working Conditions

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for long periods of time; talk or hear; perform fine motor, hand and finger skills in the use of a keyboard, telephone, or writing. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; and reach with arms and/or hands. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. The employee will spend their time in an office environment with a quiet to moderate noise level.

EEO Statement

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for long periods of time; talk or hear; perform fine motor, hand and finger skills in the use of a keyboard, telephone, or writing. The employee is frequently required to stands; walk; and reach with arms and/or hands. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. The employee will spend their time in an office environment with a quiet to moderate noise level. Job site walking. Suffolk provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, national origin, citizenship, genetic information, disability, protected veteran, gender identity, age or any other status protected by law. This policy applies to recruiting, hiring, transfers, promotions, terminations, compensation, benefits, and all other terms and conditions of employment. Suffolk will not tolerate any unlawful discrimination toward, or harassment of, applicants or employees by anyone at Suffolk, or anyone working on behalf of Suffolk

Compensation Information

The expected salary range for this position (Commissioning Director) in US-CA-San Diego and San Francisco is between $191,000 and $307,000 USD. This represents the typical salary range for this position and is just one component of Suffolk’s total compensation package. Actual salaries may be based on several factors including, but not limited to, skill set, experience, education and other qualifications. Suffolk offers a comprehensive benefits package as part of its overall compensation strategy. Salary ranges may differ by geography and are reviewed regularly to reflect market trends.