BESS Commissioning Engineer

Climate17; Leeds; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A specialized clean energy firm in the United Kingdom is seeking a Commissioning Engineer to lead the commissioning of battery energy storage projects. The role involves extensive fieldwork focused on testing and integration to ensure projects meet safety and performance standards. Applicants should have a degree in Electrical Engineering and relevant BESS engineering experience, ideally with 3-7 years in similar environments. The position requires proactive problem-solving skills and proficiency in common field testing tools.

Qualifications

• Approximately 3–7 years in commissioning or field engineering for BESS, inverters, or medium-voltage systems.
• Strong ability to interpret SLDs and wiring diagrams.
• Current or attainable NFPA 70E training and OSHA certifications.

Responsibilities

• Lead the commissioning of BESS assets from field checks to handover.
• Conduct pre-functional and functional testing on project sites.
• Produce thorough commissioning records and documentation.

Skills

BESS engineering experience

Electrical Engineering degree

Field testing proficiency

Troubleshooting skills

Communication skills

Education

Degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent technical experience

Tools

Torque tools

Insulation testers

Multimeters

Clamp meters

Infrared cameras

Job description

A specialized commercial and industrial clean energy firm is hiring a Commissioning Engineer to make sure its battery energy storage projects start up safely, reliably, and in line with performance expectations. The role centers on field-based work at project sites, with a strong focus on testing, integration, and problem solving.

The Commissioning Engineer is responsible for leading the commissioning of commercial BESS assets from initial field checks through final customer handover. The scope includes planning the commissioning approach, executing detailed test procedures, integrating controls and SCADA, resolving technical issues, and assembling complete documentation for utilities, AHJs, and customers. The position also supports commissioning of PV inverters and switchgear on combined solar-plus-storage projects.

Applicants need to be Oahu based and have BESS engineering experience.

Core responsibilities

Planning and coordination

• Review design and construction documentation, including single-line diagrams, issued-for-construction drawings, submittals, settings sheets, and inspection/test plans.
• Develop site-specific commissioning strategies and step-by-step scripts for pre-functional, functional, and performance testing.
• Coordinate with project managers, utilities, OEMs, and other stakeholders to plan outages, schedule witness tests, and align on commissioning milestones.

Field testing and execution

• Carry out pre-functional activities such as visual and torque checks, insulation resistance testing, continuity and grounding verification, polarity and phase rotation checks, and infrared inspections.
• Load and confirm protection and control settings for relays and power conversion equipment, verify BMS/EMS parameters, and validate nameplate and configuration data.
• Perform functional testing including protection trip checks, anti-islanding behavior, volt‑VAR and frequency‑watt functions, droop and ride‑through response, EMS/PCS dispatch sequences, and alarm functionality.
• Execute performance testing of BESS systems: charge and discharge cycles, round‑trip efficiency, state‑of‑charge calibration and balancing, and extended reliability runs (e.g., multi‑day tests).
• Integrate and validate telemetry and SCADA links (e.g., Modbus TCP/RTU, with exposure to DNP3 or similar), including point checks, historian trends, and alarm matrix verification.

Troubleshooting and quality control

• Systematically diagnose and correct issues across power, controls, and networking, including firmware mismatches, communications and wiring problems, IP addressing and time synchronization, and CT/PT polarity errors.
• Log and manage non‑conformances, track punch‑list items, and work with OEMs and subcontractors on corrective and preventive actions until closeout.

Documentation, training, and handover

• Produce thorough commissioning records: test reports with photos and trend data, as?built redlines, settings backups, and concise commissioning summaries.
• Support and facilitate utility and AHJ witness testing, ensuring that all required sign‑offs and approvals are obtained.
• Provide training to customer operations and maintenance teams, including quick‑reference materials and site‑specific emergency procedures.

Safety and compliance

• Take the lead on safe work practices in the field, including lockout/tagout, job hazard/job safety analyses, arc?flash PPE selection, and energized work permitting when applicable.
• Ensure commissioning work aligns with NEC, NFPA 70E/855, UL 9540/9540A, and project‑specific fire and life‑safety requirements.

Skillset

• Degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent technical experience.
• Approximately 3–7 years in commissioning or field engineering for BESS, inverters, or medium‑voltage power systems in commercial, industrial, or utility environments.
• Proficiency with common field test equipment such as torque tools, insulation testers, multimeters, clamp meters, and infrared cameras.
• Experience working with protection relays (for example SEL, GE, or Schneider devices), inverter/PCS configuration, BMS/EMS systems, and SCADA point lists.
• Strong ability to interpret SLDs, wiring diagrams, and network drawings, and to create accurate redlines in the field.
• Practical knowledge of Modbus TCP/RTU; familiarity with DNP3 or IEC?61850 is beneficial.
• Current or attainable NFPA 70E training and OSHA?10/30; valid driver’s license; ability to travel and to work at heights and in confined spaces in accordance with site rules.

Advantageous Skills

• Prior experience commissioning PV inverters and supporting net?metered or other utility interconnections.
• Direct interaction with utilities (such as HECO) and participation in AHJ or utility witness testing.
• Work with EMS platforms, historian databases, and remote monitoring systems.
• Certifications such as SEL University coursework, NICET, NETA Level II/III (or similar), and First Aid/CPR.

Personal attributes

• Strong written and verbal communication.
• Proactive, sees issues and presents solutions.
• Organized and detail‑oriented, comfortable taking the lead on site with multiple parties involved in commissioning activities.

About Us

Climate17 is a purpose‑led, international renewable energy & sustainability recruitment consulting firm. We provide specialist talent acquisition and market insight services to organisations seeking to reduce their environmental footprint and those working towards the decarbonisation of the energy sector.

Inclusive Application Process

Climate17 is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. We aim to increase diversity across all areas and as such, we are committed to partnering with clients and candidates to create an inclusive and sustainable regenerative world.

We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their ethnicity, race, gender, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, age, or whether or not they have a disability. If you require additional support, equipment, or resources to participate in the job application or interview process, please let us know.