Senior Commissioning Manager

McGough is a respected partner that brings six generations of experience to high profile, unique and complex construction projects. We take great pride in our people and their extraordinary expertise in planning, development, construction and facility management. McGough employee tenure reflects the commitment and pride we share in our work. Ask anyone who knows us - the caliber of our people sets us apart.

SENIOR COMMISSIONING MANAGER

The Commissioning Manager is responsible for the planning, execution, and management of all commissioning activities for industrial EPC projects, with a focus on power generation facilities including simple cycle and combined cycle plants. This role ensures that all systems and equipment are installed, tested, and operated in accordance with design intent, contractual requirements, and applicable codes and standards.

The Commissioning Manager works closely with project management, engineering, construction, subcontractors, and clients to deliver safe, compliant, and fully functional systems from pre-commissioning through turnover and startup.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• High school diploma required
• 10-15+ years of experience in industrial construction startup, or commissioning roles
• Minimum 5+ years of experience in commissioning leadership on EPC projects
• Demonstrated experience with power generation systems (gas turbines, HRSGs, balance of plant systems)
• Strong understanding of commissioning processes including:
• Pre-commissioning
• Mechanical completion
• System turnover
• Startup and performance testing
• Experience managing multi-discipline commissioning teams and subcontractors
• Working knowledge of applicable industry codes and standards including:
• ASME (Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code)
• NFPA (including NFPA 70 / NEC)
• ANSI / ISA standards
• IEEE standards
• OSHA regulations
• Experience with commissioning documentation systems and turnover packages
• Current OSHA 30 certification

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or related field
• Experience on combined cycle and/or simple cycle power generation projects
• Professional Engineer (PE) license or equivalent certification
• Experience with industrial processes such as oil & gas, renewables, or heavy industrial manufacturing
• Bilingual (Spanish/English)

Skills

• Strong leadership and team management skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Ability to manage complex, multi-phase commissioning efforts
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting capabilities
• Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, one-lines, control logic diagrams, and specifications
• Proficient in commissioning and construction software (Procore, Bluebeam, MS Project, Excel, etc.)
• High attention to detail and commitment to quality
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple systems and deadlines
• Strong collaboration skills across engineering, construction, and client teams
• Embodies personal integrity and accountability

RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS

Pre-Construction / Engineering Phase

• Participate in pursuits, proposals, and client interviews related to commissioning scope
• Develop commissioning execution plans, procedures, and schedules
• Review engineering deliverables for commissioning readiness, including:
• P&IDs
• System boundaries
• Equipment specifications
• Define systemization and turnover strategy (system/subsystem breakdown)
• Coordinate with engineering and construction teams to ensure constructability and testability
• Identify commissioning resource requirements and staffing plans
• Support development of project schedules integrating commissioning activities

Construction / Pre-Commissioning

• Lead development and implementation of pre-commissioning activities including:
• Flushing, cleaning, and drying
• Loop checks and instrument calibration
• Electrical testing (megger, hi-pot, etc.)
• Coordinate with construction teams to ensure systems meet mechanical completion requirements
• Oversee completion of checklists, inspections, and turnover packages
• Ensure compliance with project specifications, quality standards, and codes
• Track system completion status and readiness for commissioning

Commissioning / Startup

• Lead execution of commissioning and startup activities for all plant systems
• Manage energization plans and system startups in coordination with stakeholders
• Oversee functional performance testing and integrated system testing
• Coordinate with OEM vendors and specialists during equipment startup
• Ensure compliance with safety protocols, including LOTO and energized work procedures
• Troubleshoot system issues and lead resolution efforts
• Monitor and document system performance against design criteria

Quality and Compliance

• Ensure all commissioning activities comply with:
• Contract requirements
• Industry standards (ASME, NFPA, IEEE, etc.)
• Local and regulatory requirements
• Collaborate with Quality Control teams to validate system readiness
• Enforce company and project-specific QA/QC procedures

Safety

• Champion a strong safety culture throughout commissioning activities
• Lead safety meetings, hazard assessments, and job safety analyses (JSAs) during applicable phases of work
• Ensure compliance with OSHA and site-specific safety programs
• Manage high-risk activities including energization, pressure testing, and startup operations

Client and Stakeholder Management

• Serve as primary point of contact for commissioning with clients and stakeholders
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, engineers, and subcontractors
• Provide regular updates on commissioning progress, risks, and mitigation plans
• Support client training and operational readiness

People Management

• Lead and manage commissioning engineers and technicians both external and internal
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and knowledge sharing

Strategy Management

• Maintain knowledge of industry trends in commissioning and power generation
• Identify opportunities to improve commissioning processes and standard work
• Support development of company commissioning standards and best practices
• Contribute to business development efforts related to industrial and EPC markets

Project Controls and Documentation

• Manage commissioning schedule and ensure alignment with overall project milestones
• Track progress of systems through completion, commissioning, and turnover
• Ensure all commissioning documentation is complete, accurate, and submitted, including:
• Test reports
• Inspection records
• As-built documentation
• Maintain commissioning logs, deficiency lists (punch lists), and closeout documentation
• Support final turnover to client including training and documentation packages

People Leadership

• Collaborate cross-functionally with project & regional teams and executive leadership to ensure cohesive strategy and execution.
• Mentor pursuit teams to elevate performance, accountability, and win rates.
• Represent the company professionally in all internal and external engagements.
• Support Lean principles, continuous improvement, and company values.
• Perform additional responsibilities as needed to support organizational success.

Additional Responsibilities

• Actively contribute as a member of the Industrial team, collaborating to achieve shared goals and objectives.
• Participate in company, project, and industry events; represent McGough professionally and serve as a positive ambassador.
• Attend company and project meetings and pursue ongoing personal and professional development.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support team and organizational success.
• Other duties as assigned

OFFICE AND TRAVEL

• Travel: Must be willing to travel extensively and be project-site based for extended durations.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands outlined here are representative of those required for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

This position requires prolonged periods of sitting at a workstation or during meetings and travel (by plane or car). The employee must be able to lift up to 20 or 50 pounds as needed, demonstrate dexterity to write and use a computer keyboard and mouse, and possess the ability to hear, speak clearly, and distinguish colors on graphs and charts.

The role also requires occasional visits to construction sites, where the employee may be exposed to dust, dirt, uneven surfaces, outdoor weather conditions, and extreme temperatures.

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In alignment with our commitment to pay transparency, the base salary range for this position is $170,000 to $210,000, excluding fringe benefits or potential bonuses. If you join McGough, your final base salary will be determined by several factors, including geography, location, skills, education, and experience. Furthermore, we place significant value on pay equity among our current team members as part of any final job offer.

Please note that the range provided above reflects the hiring range for this role. Hiring near the top end of this range would be atypical, as we aim to allow room for future salary growth. Additionally, McGough offers a comprehensive compensation and benefits package. This includes insurance coverage for medical, dental, vision, life, and disability. We also provide generous retirement plans, voluntary benefit plans, parental leave, substantial paid time off, and holiday pay.