Principal Site Commissioning Engineer

Progressive Recruitment; England; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Progressive Recruitment is seeking a Principal Site Commissioning Engineer to lead the commissioning of complex mechanical systems on nuclear and regulated projects. You will direct cross-functional teams across the full lifecycle from design review through installation, testing, and handover, ensuring readiness for operations.

You will develop commissioning strategies and plans, review technical documents, and maintain compliance with safety, quality and regulatory requirements while delivering

Qualifications

• Lead commissioning activities across complex mechanical systems and plant.
• Develop commissioning strategies, plans and procedures.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary commissioning teams.
• Support engineering design reviews, constructability assessments and installation readiness activities.
• Review mechanical designs, drawings and calculations for compliance with requirements.
• Deliver commissioning activities safely and in accordance with programme requirements.
• Oversee IST, FAT and SAT and acceptance activities.
• Provide technical assurance throughout commissioning execution.
• Manage technical risks and resolve complex engineering issues.
• Liaise with clients, regulators and internal stakeholders.
• Produce and review commissioning documentation and handover dossiers.
• Review stress analysis reports and mechanical design documentation for install/operation readiness.

Responsibilities

• Lead commissioning activities across complex mechanical systems and plant.
• Develop commissioning strategies, plans and procedures.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary commissioning teams.
• Support engineering design reviews, constructability assessments and installation readiness activities.
• Review mechanical designs, drawings and calculations for compliance with requirements.
• Deliver commissioning activities safely and in accordance with programme requirements.
• Oversee IST, FAT and SAT and acceptance activities.
• Provide technical assurance throughout commissioning execution.
• Manage technical risks and resolve complex engineering issues.
• Liaise with clients, regulators and internal stakeholders.
• Produce commissioning documentation and handover dossiers.
• Review stress analysis reports and mechanical design documentation for install/operation readiness.

Skills

Commissioning leadership

Mechanical engineering

IST planning

FAT SAT

Regulatory compliance

Root cause analysis

AutoCAD

Stakeholder management

Education

Degree in Mechanical Engineering

HNC/HND in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Job description

Principal Site Commissioning Engineer

The Opportunity

We are seeking a highly experienced Principal Site Commissioning Engineer to support the delivery of complex nuclear and highly regulated engineering projects.

Working across a diverse portfolio of programmes, you will provide technical leadership throughout the project lifecycle, from concept development and design review through installation, testing, commissioning, operational readiness and final handover.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead commissioning activities across complex mechanical systems and plant.
• Develop commissioning strategies, plans and procedures.
• Manage and coordinate multidisciplinary commissioning teams.
• Support engineering design reviews, constructability assessments and installation readiness activities.
• Review mechanical engineering designs, AutoCAD drawings, calculations and technical specifications to ensure compliance with project requirements.
• Support detailed design and engineering assurance activities throughout the project lifecycle.
• Deliver commissioning activities safely and in accordance with programme requirements.
• Oversee Integrated Systems Testing (IST).
• Lead Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) and final acceptance activities.
• Provide technical assurance throughout commissioning execution.
• Manage technical risks and resolve complex engineering issues.
• Conduct technical investigations, failure assessments and root cause analysis.
• Liaise with clients, contractors, regulators and internal stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with nuclear safety, quality and regulatory requirements.
• Support operational readiness, plant start-up and handover activities.
• Produce and review commissioning documentation, test records, procedures and handover dossiers.
• Review stress analysis reports, engineering calculations and mechanical design documentation to ensure systems are suitable for installation, operation and commissioning.
• Contribute to business development, tender submissions and client engagement activities.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and the capture of lessons learned.

Essential Experience

• Commissioning leadership experience at Lead Engineer, Senior Engineer or Principal Engineer level.
• Strong mechanical engineering background within highly regulated industries.
• Experience delivering large-scale commissioning programmes across complex engineering projects.
• Experience with pressure systems and associated regulatory requirements.
• Heat exchangers, pumping systems and fluid transfer systems experience.
• Process plant commissioning experience.
• Integrated Systems Testing (IST) planning and execution.
• Leadership of FAT, SAT and acceptance testing activities.
• Operational readiness and plant start-up experience.
• Strong technical fault-finding, troubleshooting and root cause analysis capability.
• Experience supporting engineering design reviews and technical assurance activities.
• Mechanical design engineering experience, including production, checking and review of engineering drawings and plant layouts using AutoCAD.
• Ability to undertake, review and verify basic mechanical engineering calculations, including equipment sizing, piping calculations, pressure drop assessments, flow calculations and support/load calculations.
• Working knowledge of piping and mechanical stress analysis principles, with the ability to interpret stress reports, engineering calculations and technical assessments relating to pressure systems, piping networks and mechanical plant.
• Experience reviewing engineering design deliverables for compliance with industry standards and project requirements.
• Stakeholder, contractor and client management experience.
• Technical documentation production and review.
• Proven ability to deliver projects against programme, cost and quality objectives.
• Excellent communication, leadership and team management skills.

Desirable Experience

• Nuclear site experience.
• AWE project experience.
• Sellafield project experience.
• Defence or MoD programme experience.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) status or working towards chartership.
• Experience operating within security-cleared environments.
• Experience supporting plant refurbishment, upgrade and life-extension programmes.
• Familiarity with ASME, BS EN, PD5500 and relevant pressure system standards.
• Experience of commissioning mechanical handling, HVAC, utility or process systems.
• Knowledge of CDM regulations and construction management practices.

Qualifications

Degree or HNC/HND in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.

Relevant commissioning, engineering or project delivery qualifications.

Membership of a recognised professional engineering institution is desirable.

Security clearance eligibility is essential.