Commissioning Engineer/Manager, Water

WSP; Newcastle City Council; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive remuneration

Flexible work arrangements

Up to 16 weeks paid parental leave

8 extra weeks annual leave option

Job summary

WSP's Water Business Group is seeking an experienced Commissioning Engineer or Manager to join a major infrastructure program in New South Wales. Based on site near Newcastle, you will lead commissioning across water and wastewater assets, ensuring safe testing, integration, and handover to operations.

You will provide leadership across all commissioning phases, develop strategies, manage documentation, and coordinate with contractors, client representatives and operational teams to ensure

Qualifications

• Experience delivering commissioning on complex water infrastructure projects.
• Proven ability to lead commissioning plans, procedures and documentation.
• Experience with FAT, SAT and operational handover processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead commissioning planning and delivery from project development through handover.
• Develop and review commissioning strategies and procedures.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams including contractors, designers, asset owners and operators.
• Oversee FAT, SAT, and integrated system testing and commissioning programs.

Skills

Commissioning leadership

Stakeholder management

SCADA integration

Risk management

Strong communication

Education

Chartered Engineer (CPEng) or equivalent

Tools

Electrical systems

Instrumentation

Control systems

SCADA

Job description

WSP's Water Business Group is seeking an experienced Commissioning Engineer or Manager to join a major infrastructure program supporting one of New South Wales' leading water authorities.

Based full-time on site 30 mins away from Newcastle CBD, this role will be responsible for leading commissioning activities across complex water and wastewater infrastructure projects, ensuring assets are safely tested, integrated, commissioned and successfully transitioned into operations.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in the delivery of critical infrastructure that will support communities for decades to come while working alongside a highly experienced project delivery team.

The Opportunity

As Commissioning Manager, you will provide leadership across all commissioning phases, from early project planning and design input through to testing, operational readiness and final handover. Working closely with project teams, contractors, client representatives and operational stakeholders, you will ensure commissioning requirements are embedded throughout the project lifecycle and that systems are delivered safely, efficiently and in accordance with contractual and regulatory requirements.

What You'll Do

Lead commissioning planning and delivery from project development through to operational handover.

Develop and review commissioning strategies, management plans, procedures and contractor documentation.

Provide commissioning and constructability input during concept, detailed design and delivery phases.

Lead commissioning readiness reviews, shutdown planning and operational cutover activities.

Oversee Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), Integrated System Testing and commissioning programs.

Coordinate multidisciplinary teams including contractors, designers, asset owners and operational personnel.

Ensure commissioning requirements are effectively integrated across electrical, mechanical, process, instrumentation and control systems.

Support quality, safety and environmental compliance throughout commissioning activities.

Manage stakeholder engagement and collaborate closely with client operations and maintenance teams.

Review commissioning records, handover documentation, as-built information and operational manuals.

Mentor project teams and contribute to the continuous improvement of commissioning practices across the business.

About You

We're looking for a collaborative and outcomes-focused commissioning professional with a strong background delivering complex infrastructure projects.

You will ideally possess:

Demonstrated experience as a Commissioning Manager, Commissioning Lead or Senior Commissioning Engineer.

Experience delivering commissioning activities within the water, wastewater, utilities, infrastructure, industrial or energy sectors.

Strong understanding of commissioning methodologies, testing protocols and operational handover processes.

Proven experience developing and implementing commissioning plans, procedures and management frameworks.

Experience coordinating multidisciplinary project teams, contractors, operators and specialist vendors.

Chartered Engineer status (CPEng) or equivalent professional accreditation.

Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.

Sound understanding of operational readiness, risk management and safe systems of work.

Experience with electrical, instrumentation, control systems and SCADA integration.

A proactive, solutions-focused approach and the ability to work effectively in fast-paced project environments.

Highly Regarded

Experience commissioning desalination plants, advanced water treatment facilities or large-scale process infrastructure.

Experience working on live operational assets and managing shutdowns, cutovers and staged commissioning activities.

Knowledge of Australian water utility standards and operational requirements.

Construction, operations or maintenance experience within major infrastructure environments.

Why Choose WSP?

We’re committed to creating an environment where you feel supported, valued, and empowered to grow. At WSP, you’ll benefit from:

Competitive remuneration that recognises your expertise

An inclusive, collaborative team culture

Clear career pathways, mentoring, leadership development, and secondment opportunities

Flexible work arrangements where project requirements allow

Purpose‑driven projects with real community impact

Support for career returners—we value every pathway

Up to 16 weeks paid parental leave

Option to purchase up to 8 additional weeks of annual leave

National and global mobility opportunities

All permanent employees are eligible to participate in WSP’s Employee Share Purchase Plan, allowing you to share in the long‑term success of the business. Learn more about our wellbeing and development programs via our Employee Benefits page.

Ready to Shape the Future of Water?

This is your opportunity to make a real impact—on your terms, with your expertise, alongside people who share your ambition.