Commissioning Manager (Solar)

Ellaway Blues Consulting; Town of Texas (WI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Ellaway Blues Consulting is seeking an experienced Commission Manager to lead commissioning for utility-scale solar projects. You will plan, coordinate, and execute commissioning from construction completion through energization, performance testing, turnover, and commercial operation.

You will work closely with EPCs, electrical contractors, engineering teams, equipment vendors, owners, and operations to ensure safety, quality, and successful project turnover.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in electrical commissioning, startup, or field engineering for renewable energy or utility-scale power generation.
• Strong understanding of electrical power systems including MV distribution, transformers, switchgear, protection and controls, and substations.
• Ability to read and interpret single-line diagrams, electrical drawings, schematics, and equipment documentation.
• Experience coordinating multiple contractors in large-scale field environments.
• Strong understanding of electrical safety, LOTO, energized work practices, and commissioning safety procedures.

Responsibilities

• Lead the overall commissioning program for utility-scale solar projects from construction completion to commercial operation.
• Develop and execute detailed commissioning plans, schedules, procedures, checklists, and testing protocols.
• Coordinate commissioning activities across PV arrays, inverters, MV collection systems, transformers, substations, switchgear, protection and control systems, SCADA, and plant auxiliaries.
• Manage electrical testing, startup, functional testing, energization, and performance verification.
• Ensure proper turnover documentation, punch-list closure, and project readiness for handover to operations.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Commission Manager to lead the commissioning activities for large-scale solar energy projects. This individual will be responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing the commissioning process from construction completion through energization, performance testing, turnover, and commercial operation.

The Commission Manager will serve as a key field leader, coordinating closely with EPC contractors, electrical contractors, construction management, engineering, equipment vendors, owners, and operations teams to ensure the solar facility is safely and successfully commissioned in accordance with project requirements, specifications, and industry standards.

This is a hands-on leadership position requiring strong experience with utility-scale solar projects, electrical systems, commissioning procedures, field testing, energization, troubleshooting, and project turnover.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the overall commissioning program for utility-scale solar projects from construction completion through commercial operation.
• Develop and execute detailed commissioning plans, schedules, procedures, checklists, and testing protocols.
• Coordinate commissioning activities across PV arrays, inverters, MV collection systems, transformers, substations, switchgear, protection and control systems, SCADA, and plant auxiliary systems.
• Manage and coordinate electrical testing, equipment startup, functional testing, energization, and performance verification.
• Work closely with EPC and construction teams to establish mechanical completion, systems turnover, punch-list closure, and commissioning readiness.
• Review engineering drawings, one-lines, equipment specifications, test procedures, and commissioning documentation to ensure project requirements are met.
• Coordinate with electrical testing contractors and technicians performing MV/HV testing, relay testing, transformer testing, cable testing, grounding testing, and equipment commissioning.
• Lead troubleshooting efforts involving electrical, controls, instrumentation, communications, inverter, and SCADA systems.
• Coordinate energization activities and switching procedures, ensuring appropriate safety protocols and approvals are in place.
• Interface with utility representatives, independent engineers, owners, EPC contractors, equipment manufacturers, and project stakeholders during commissioning.
• Monitor commissioning progress against project schedules and identify potential schedule, quality, or technical risks.
• Manage commissioning punch lists and ensure deficiencies are properly documented, assigned, corrected, and verified.
• Ensure commissioning activities comply with applicable OSHA, NFPA 70E, NEC, NERC, IEEE, and project-specific safety and quality requirements, as applicable.
• Review and approve commissioning test results, equipment documentation, startup records, and turnover packages.
• Ensure proper documentation and organization of test reports, redlines, as-built documentation, O&M manuals, commissioning records, and final turnover packages.
• Support performance testing and validation of the completed solar facility prior to commercial operation.
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to commissioning engineers, technicians, and field personnel.
• Participate in daily construction/commissioning meetings and provide clear status updates to project leadership.
• Identify opportunities to improve commissioning procedures, testing processes, safety performance, and project execution.

Experience with several of the following systems is highly desirable:

• Central and/or string inverters
• Medium-voltage collection systems
• MV switchgear and reclosers
• Pad-mounted and main power transformers
• Circuit breakers and disconnect switches
• Protection & control systems
• Protective relays
• SCADA and plant controls
• Weather stations and monitoring systems
• DC collection systems
• AC collection systems
• Grounding and bonding systems
• Fiber optic and communications systems
• Station service and auxiliary power
• Revenue metering
• Battery/energy storage systems, where applicable

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in electrical commissioning, construction, startup, or field engineering, preferably within renewable energy or utility-scale power generation.
• Strong understanding of electrical power systems, including medium-voltage distribution, transformers, switchgear, protection and controls, and substations.
• Experience with electrical testing and commissioning equipment and procedures.
• Ability to read and interpret single-line diagrams, electrical drawings, schematics, specifications, and equipment documentation.
• Experience coordinating multiple contractors and subcontractors in a large-scale field environment.
• Strong understanding of electrical safety, LOTO, energized work practices, and commissioning safety procedures.
• Experience managing project schedules, commissioning milestones, punch lists, and turnover documentation.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving capabilities.
• Excellent communication and field leadership skills.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Construction Management, or a related technical discipline preferred.
• Relevant certifications such as NETA, NICET, PMP, or other electrical/commissioning credentials are a plus.
• Ability to travel extensively and work on active construction sites for extended project assignments.

Preferred Solar Industry Experience

Candidates with experience supporting utility-scale solar farms, renewable energy EPC projects, power generation facilities, substations, or large electrical infrastructure projects are strongly preferred.

Experience with projects involving 100+ MW solar generation, high-voltage interconnection, utility substations, MV collection systems, inverter commissioning, SCADA integration, and utility synchronization is highly desirable.

Leadership Profile

The successful candidate will be a field-oriented commissioning leader who can take ownership of the commissioning process, coordinate multiple stakeholders, identify technical issues, and drive projects toward safe and successful commercial operation. The individual should be comfortable operating in fast-paced construction environments and working directly with EPC contractors, electrical testing teams, equipment manufacturers, utilities, and project executives.

Travel: Extensive travel to utility-scale solar project sites is expected.