Principal Commissioning Engineer (ICSS)

Job overview

The Principal Commissioning Engineer for ICSS is responsible for handling complex commissioning challenges independently, applying specialist-level expertise across the commissioning discipline. The role calls for strong technical judgement, the ability to guide teams or projects, and a deep understanding of commissioning practices within engineering.

Key responsibilities

• Support the Commissioning Manager in planning and delivering safe, efficient pre-commissioning, commissioning, start-up, and performance testing activities to meet plant output, performance, and contractual targets.
• Work closely with the project team and the client to preserve strong working relationships.
• Oversee preparation of commissioning home-office deliverables for the project.
• Contribute to systemisation planning and system boundary marking.
• Take part in engineering design reviews as directed, including HAZOP, P&IDs, SIL, and model reviews.
• Help build schedules for pre-commissioning, commissioning, and start-up activities.
• Oversee development of operating manuals.
• Guide the preparation of pre-commissioning, commissioning, and start-up procedures for utility and process systems.
• Oversee planning for CSU spares, subcontracts, consumables, temporary equipment, and vendor support services.
• Work closely with completions, construction, and client teams on site inspections and testing for pre-commissioning, commissioning, and start-up.
• Lead assigned commissioning personnel, subcontractors, and client personnel to execute activities safely, efficiently, and successfully.
• Coordinate with the construction team on mechanical completion inspections and accept systems that are ready for pre-commissioning.
• Participate in completion walkdowns, punch-list creation, and punch-list closure with construction or subcontractor teams.
• Contribute lessons learned to the project knowledge database.

Reporting and collaboration

The role reports to the Project Commissioning Manager in a project setting and to the Function Commissioning Manager within the functional structure. Key working relationships include Commissioning Managers, discipline lead engineers, project engineers, construction/fabrication teams, quality, HSSE, and client representatives. The position also supervises commissioning engineers, completions specialists, operations and maintenance specialists, designers, and other support staff in the function group.

Qualifications and experience

• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, in Engineering is required.
• 15–20 years of oil and gas experience with a major contractor or consultant is expected.
• Strong depth of knowledge in commissioning, completions, and training is needed, along with working awareness of construction and operations and maintenance.
• Industry experience should be used to improve effectiveness, guide others, and influence processes and policies.
• A degree or diploma in engineering is preferred.
• At least 5 years of experience in a chemical, refinery, or oil and gas processing facility is required.
• Prior involvement in pre-commissioning, commissioning, and start-up on at least 3 major EPC projects in chemical, refinery, or oil and gas settings is required.
• Ability to explain technical ideas and solutions clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences is essential.
• Strong working knowledge of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Visio is required.
• Good planning and organizational ability, plus flexibility to adapt to different discipline groups, is important.
• Must be able to assess and communicate project needs and expectations in a clear, constructive, and professional way.
• Willingness to travel to construction sites, including international assignments, is required.
• English fluency is required; additional language skills are considered an advantage.

About the company

The employer is a long-established energy-sector organization with more than 100 years of history. Its work spans subsea infrastructure, offshore platforms, offshore wind, and onshore energy projects, supported by more than 30,000 employees across 54 countries.