Commissioning Foreman (EXCEL / EPI)

EXCEL Group; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Strong safety culture

Growth opportunities

Supportive team environment

Job summary

EXCEL Group is seeking an experienced Commissioning Foreman to oversee field-level commissioning for medium- and low-voltage electrical systems, ensuring proper installation, functionality, and performance of critical equipment, and supporting energization and IST, as well as project turnover.

You will lead pre-functional verification, energization support, functional testing, IST, and testing documentation while coordinating with trade contractors to close punch items.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of field experience in electrical construction or commissioning.
• Experience with mission-critical facilities and power systems.
• Ability to read one-line/three-line diagrams and protection studies.
• OSHA 10 or 30 certification (or willingness to obtain).

Responsibilities

• Perform pre-functional verification inspections on medium- and high-voltage gear.
• Support energization sequences, load banking, and startup procedures.
• Execute device-level testing of sensors, actuators, VFDs, and UPS systems.
• Participate in IST, scripted failures, and documentation of results.
• Maintain testing documentation and coordinate corrective actions with contractors.
• Troubleshoot wiring, breaker settings, and control logic; elevate complex failures.

Skills

Leadership

Team development

Problem solving

Project management

Communication

Education

OSHA 10 or 30 certification

Tools

Multimeters

Meggers

Test sets

Power quality analyzers

EPMS/BMS familiarity

Job description

We are looking for an experienced Commissioning Foreman responsible for executing field-level commissioning activities on medium- and low-voltage electrical systems. This role ensures proper installation, functionality, and performance of mission-critical electrical equipment and systems and supports energization, functional performance testing, integrated systems testing (IST), and project turnover.

What You'll Do:

• Pre-Functional Verification (Level 1-2)
  • Perform installation inspections of:
    • Medium-voltage switchgear (5kV-35kV)
    • Low-voltage switchgear and switchboards
    • UPS systems (static and rotary)
    • PDUs and RPPs
    • Transformers (dry-type and oil-filled)
    • Automatic Transfer Switches (ATS)
    • Generators and paralleling gear
  • Verify installation compliance, torque settings, breaker alignment, control wiring, labeling, grounding/bonding, and proper CT/PT orientation
  • Confirm installation aligns with approved shop drawings, one-line/three-line diagrams, control schematics, specifications, NEC, and project standards
• Electrical Startup & Energization Support
  • Support energization sequences, load banking, and UPS/generator startup procedures
  • Verify phasing, voltage levels, breaker settings, battery strings, static bypass, and synchronization checks
  • Monitor thermal conditions and operational performance during initial energization events
• Functional Performance Testing
  • Execute device-level testing of sensors, actuators, VFDs, VAVs, ATS, and UPS systems
  • Assist in testing utility-to-generator, generator-to-generator, and UPS bypass/failure scenarios
  • Support EPMS/BMS interface validation, alarm verification, and metering accuracy
  • Test redundancy and concurrent maintainability scenarios
• Integrated Systems Testing (IST)
  • Participate in black-building and scripted failure simulation scenarios
  • Verify system response, alarm sequences, and redundancy operation
  • Document performance during utility, generator, and UPS failures or control network interruptions
• Testing Documentation & Reporting
  • Complete and maintain pre-functional checklists, startup forms, functional test scripts, IST documentation
  • Review NETA acceptance testing reports and thermal imaging results
  • Document deficiencies and coordinate corrective actions with trade contractors
  • Track resolution of commissioning-related punch items
• Troubleshooting & Field Issue Resolution
  • Identify improper wiring, incorrect breaker settings, control logic errors, and communication faults
  • Support corrective re-testing and elevate complex system failures to Commissioning Manager or engineering teams

What We're Looking For:

Experience:

• 3+ years of field experience in electrical construction or commissioning of mission-critical facilities.
• Strong knowledge of protective relays, breaker trip units, ground fault systems, power monitoring systems, and mission-critical power systems.
• Ability to read and interpret one-line/three-line diagrams, control schematics, and protection coordination studies.
• OSHA 10 or 30 required (or willingness to obtain).

Skills:

• Excellent leadership, mentoring, and team development abilities.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, negotiation, and project management skills.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication.
• Detail-oriented, highly organized, and professional during client witness testing.

Technology:

• Proficient with electrical test and monitoring tools (multimeters, meggers, primary/secondary injection test sets, power quality analyzers).
• Familiarity with EPMS and BMS systems.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and able to quickly learn project-specific software.

What We Offer:

• Competitive pay and benefits package
• A strong safety culture
• Opportunities for growth and advancement
• A supportive team environment that encourages learning and development

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disabled and veterans.