Electrical and Instrumentation Commissioning Specialist

Airswift; Alaska; On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Lodging accommodations provided

Meals provided

Rotational work schedule

Job summary

Airswift is seeking an E&I Commissioning Specialist for a 1-year assignment in Alaska. The role entails overseeing the commissioning, startup, and testing of electrical and instrumentation systems on a major project.

The ideal candidate will have 10+ years of experience in industrial electrical work, particularly in oil and gas sectors. Key responsibilities include ensuring compliance with safety regulations and coordinating with various teams to fulfill project requirements.

This position offers a rotational work schedule with accommodations and meals provided.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of industrial electrical and instrumentation experience.
• 5+ years of commissioning/startup experience in oil and gas or petrochemical.
• Alaska North Slope or Arctic experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee commissioning, startup, testing, and turnover of systems.
• Coordinate with Operations, Construction, and Engineering teams.
• Ensure safety culture compliance with OSHA regulations.

Skills

Commissioning leadership

Technical troubleshooting

Strong communication skills

Risk assessment and mitigation

Education

Associate or Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

Electrical distribution systems

PLC, DCS, and SIS platforms

Job description

Airswift is looking for an E&I Commissioning Specialist to work with one of our clients in Alaska for an initial 1‑year assignment.

The Electrical and Instrumentation (E&I) Commissioning Specialist is responsible for overseeing and assuring the safe and effective commissioning, startup, testing, and turnover of electrical, instrumentation, control, automation, and safety systems on the Methanol and Diesel De‑Sulfurization project to be located on Alaska’s North Slope. The role provides independent verification that contractor and vendor commissioning activities meet project requirements, regulatory standards, and the client’s operational expectations before facility acceptance and startup. This position reports to the client’s Commissioning Manager.

Key Responsibilities

• Review commissioning plans, procedures, system boundaries, and turnover packages.
• Participate in Mechanical Completion (MC), Ready‑for‑Commissioning (RFC), and Ready‑for‑Startup (RFSU) reviews.
• Verify completion of construction and quality documentation prior to commissioning.
• Support development of commissioning schedules and systemization strategies.
• Coordinate with Operations, Construction, Engineering, Construction Contractor and Commissioning Contractor.
• Electrical Systems Commissioning: witness and verify commissioning of medium and low voltage power distribution systems, switchgear and motor control centers (MCCs), transformers and substations, variable frequency drives (VFDs), UPS and battery systems, heat trace systems, grounding and bonding systems, lighting and emergency power systems.
• Review electrical testing records including insulation resistance, continuity, relay testing, and power quality verification. Ensure energization activities comply with approved procedures and isolation plans.
• Instrumentation and Controls Commissioning: verify calibration and installation of field instruments; witness loop checks, functional testing, and cause‑and‑effect testing.
• Confirm proper operation of pressure, temperature, flow, and level instruments, control valves and actuators, PLC systems, DCS systems, SIS (Safety Instrumented Systems), fire and gas systems, emergency shutdown (ESD) systems, communications and telemetry system.
• Review instrument calibration records and commissioning dossiers.
• Validate alarms, interlocks, shutdown functions, and emergency response systems.
• Provide startup and operational readiness support for integrated system testing and startup activities.
• Participate in dynamic commissioning and operational performance verification.
• Coordinate with Operations personnel during first energization and startup.
• Ensure systems achieve design intent and performance requirements before acceptance.
• Review turnover documentation for completeness and accuracy; verify redlines, loop drawings, as‑built documentation, and vendor records.
• Track punch list items and commissioning deficiencies. Ensure commissioning records meet Owner requirements.
• Support final system acceptance and handover to Operations.

Safety Responsibilities

• Promote a strong safety culture and compliance with Arctic operating procedures.
• Ensure commissioning activities comply with OSHA regulations, NFPA 70E NEC requirements, ISA standards, Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), and energy isolation procedures.
• Participate in Job Safety Analyses (JSAs), toolbox meetings, and risk assessments.
• Identify commissioning mechanical/piping risks and implement mitigation measures.
• Stop unsafe work when necessary.

Technical Knowledge

• Electrical distribution systems up to 35 kV.
• Protective relays and power system testing.
• PLC, DCS, and SIS platforms.
• Fire and gas systems.
• Instrument calibration and loop testing.
• Control valve testing.
• Cause‑and‑effect verification.
• Functional checkout (FCO).
• Hazardous area installations (ClassI Division1 & 2).
• Mechanical Completion and Commissioning management systems.

Education and Experience

• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Instrumentation Engineering, Engineering Technology, or related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of industrial electrical and instrumentation experience.
• 5+ years of commissioning/startup experience in oil and gas, petrochemical, or energy facilities.
• Experience working as an Owner’s Representative or commissioning authority preferred.
• Alaska North Slope or Arctic experience strongly preferred.

Preferred Certifications

• ISA Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST)
• ISA CAP Certification
• NFPA 70E
• NETA Certification

Key Competencies

• Commissioning leadership
• Technical troubleshooting
• Contractor oversight
• Startup planning and execution
• Quality assurance and turnover management
• Risk assessment and mitigation
• Strong communication and reporting skills
• Ability to work in remote Arctic environments and rotational schedules

Working Conditions

• Rotational assignment 14 days on/14 days off.
• Remote work location in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska.
• Lodging accommodations and meals provided.
• Exposure to extreme Arctic weather conditions.
• Frequent field inspections and outdoor work.
• Travel by commercial aircraft, Anchorage to North Slope to Anchorage.
• Ability to climb ladders, access elevated structures, and work around active industrial equipment.