Director of Power Commissioning & Startup

Nscale; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 220,000 - 380,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Base salary + bonus + equity

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Generous PTO and holidays

Career-defining leadership role in AI‑

Flexible workplace arrangements

Job summary

Nscale is hiring a Senior Director, Commissioning and Startup in Houston, TX, with remote US candidates considered and up to 50% travel during active startups. You will own the transition of power assets from mechanical completion to commercial operation, overseeing a multi-discipline team and interfacing with EPC partners and OEMs to ensure reliable, safe startup.

You will influence design reviews, energization, and testing strategies, bringing operations expertise to pre-construction and

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in commissioning, startup, and operations of power generation facilities.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end commissioning and startup strategy, planning, and execution for power generation assets.
• Design for commissioning: engage in pre-construction design to optimize plants for startup and operation.
• Own safety: pre-startup safety review, permit-to-work, energization safety and change management during startup.
• Direct EPC commissioning teams and manage OEMs for generator sets, BESS, switchgear, and plant controls.
• Build and scale the commissioning and startup function, standards, and team.

Skills

Leadership

Commissioning leadership

Operations perspective

Safety processes

EPC coordination

Education

Bachelor’s in Mechanical, Electrical, or Chemical Engineering

Tools

PE license

Job description

Nscale is hiring a Senior Director, Commissioning and Startup in Houston, TX, with remote US candidates considered and up to 50% travel during active startups. You will own the transition of power assets from mechanical completion to commercial operation, overseeing a multi-discipline team and interfacing with EPC partners and OEMs to ensure reliable, safe startup.

You will influence design reviews, energization, and testing strategies, bringing operations expertise to pre-construction and