Lead Process Commissioning Engineer

Aqua Tech Recruitment; Pontesbury; On-site; GBP 74,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

Aqua Tech Recruitment is seeking an experienced Lead Process Commissioning Engineer for a Pontesbury STW upgrade, working with Severn Trent Water.

You will develop commissioning plans, lead site execution, manage interfaces across mechanical, electrical, instrumentation and process assets, and ensure successful handover with rigorous testing and documentation.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Process Commissioning Engineer or Lead Commissioning Engineer within the UK wastewater industry.
• Experience producing commissioning plans and leading their delivery on site.
• Strong knowledge of biological wastewater treatment processes.

Responsibilities

• Develop a comprehensive commissioning strategy, detailed plan and programme.
• Lead on-site commissioning activities and coordinate interfaces.
• Coordinate specialist subcontractors and equipment suppliers.
• Oversee start‑up, functional testing and process commissioning.
• Lead the commissioning and optimisation of the biological treatment system.
• Coordinate MCC, PLC/SCADA and instrumentation testing.
• Produce commissioning records and handover documentation.

Skills

Process commissioning

Lead commissioning

UK wastewater industry

MCC/PLC/SCADA knowledge

Coordination of multidisciplinary team

Planning and problem-solving

Tools

MCCs

PLC/SCADA systems

Instrumentation testing

Job description

Role Overview

Our client is seeking an experienced Lead Process Commissioning Engineer to develop the commissioning plan and lead the commissioning activities associated with the upgrade of Pontesbury Sewage Treatment Works for our client, Severn Trent Water.

The successful candidate will take responsibility for commissioning planning, site execution, process integration, optimisation and final handover.

The role requires an experienced wastewater commissioning professional who can work independently, coordinate multidisciplinary commissioning activities and liaise directly with Severn Trent Water's project delivery and operational teams.

Project Scope

The upgrade includes the commissioning and integration of:

• New OxiBox System - Biological treatment process, aeration, process controls and optimisation.
• Intermediate Pumping Station- Pumps, hydraulic systems, level controls and operational testing.
• Refurbished Haigh Screen - Mechanical, functional and operational testing.
• Grit Trap System - Hydraulic testing, grit removal and operational performance.
• New MCC- Electrical commissioning coordination, instrumentation, PLC/SCADA integration and control systems.
• New Final Settlement Tank (FST) - Hydraulic commissioning, sludge collection, withdrawal and settlement performance.
• Sludge Thickener - Sludge handling, thickening performance and process integration.

Key Responsibilities

Commissioning Planning

• Develop a comprehensive commissioning strategy, detailed commissioning plan and programme.
• Review process designs, P&IDs, specifications and control philosophies.
• Establish commissioning sequences and dependencies between process assets.
• Develop commissioning procedures, inspection and test plans, and acceptance criteria.
• Prepare process changeover strategies to integrate new assets into the existing operational works.
• Identify commissioning risks, operational constraints and contingency arrangements.
• Coordinate commissioning planning and approvals with Severn Trent Water.

Site Commissioning Leadership

• Lead and coordinate commissioning activities on site.
• Manage mechanical, electrical, instrumentation and process commissioning interfaces.
• Coordinate specialist subcontractors and equipment suppliers.
• Oversee equipment start-up, functional testing and process commissioning.
• Lead the commissioning and optimisation of the OxiBox biological treatment system.
• Coordinate MCC, PLC/SCADA and instrumentation testing.
• Manage commissioning progress, technical issues and programme requirements.
• Chair commissioning meetings and report progress to the project team.
• Liaise directly with Severn Trent Water's Operations Team regarding isolations, process changeovers and operational requirements.

Process Performance and Handover

• Manage the introduction of flows into the upgraded treatment processes.
• Establish and optimise biological treatment performance.
• Coordinate the integration of the FST and sludge thickener.
• Ensure continuity of treatment and environmental compliance throughout commissioning.
• Manage process monitoring, sampling and performance verification.
• Coordinate operational demonstrations and acceptance testing.
• Produce commissioning records, completion reports and handover documentation.
• Support final acceptance and handover to Severn Trent Water.

Essential Experience

• Proven experience as a Process Commissioning Engineer or Lead Commissioning Engineer within the UK wastewater industry.
• Demonstrable experience producing commissioning plans and leading their delivery on site.
• Strong knowledge of biological wastewater treatment processes.
• Experience commissioning pumping stations, screening equipment, final settlement tanks and sludge treatment systems.
• Experience integrating new process assets into live operational wastewater treatment works.
• Understanding of MCCs, PLC/SCADA, instrumentation and process control systems.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary commissioning teams.
• Excellent planning, technical communication and problem-solving skills.

Desirable: Previous experience working on Severn Trent Water projects and familiarity with their commissioning and handover requirements.

Contract Details

• Location:Pontesbury STW, Shropshire
• Start:ASAP
• Duration:Until 30 April 2027
• Rate:£400-£450 per day
• IR35:Outside IR35, subject to formal determination

We are looking for a technically competent, hands-on commissioning engineer who can take ownership of the commissioning process from planning through to successful completion and handover.

The successful candidate must be confident working directly with Severn Trent Water and leading commissioning activities on a live operational wastewater treatment works