Lead I&C Commissioning Engineer – Power Generation

WCL Group; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 132,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

WCL Group is seeking a Lead I&C Commissioning Engineer – Power Generation in Houston, TX to drive systems completion, commissioning, and startup for a 2.67 GW natural gas project supporting a next‑gen data center.

You will coordinate across EPCs, vendors, and the O&M contractor to ensure safe, on‑time handover from construction to operations, with a 6‑month term in Houston and later move to Pecos, TX through March 2031.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of facilities engineering experience in upstream and/or power projects or operations.
• 5+ years of Instrumentation & Controls (I&C) commissioning experience.
• 5+ years of power generation facility commissioning and startup experience.
• 5+ years of systems completion and turnover management experience.
• Strong written and spoken English communication skills and ability to travel in the U.S.

Responsibilities

• Manage commissioning and startup interfaces between main EPC contractors and owner’s CSU team/vendors.
• Oversee completion of systems engineering deliverables and commissioning procedures during detailed engineering.
• Develop and review testing plans, procedures, and commissioning work packs with I&C design teams and vendors.
• Identify and procure commissioning spares.
• Ensure Instrumentation, Controls, and Automation scope supports safe precommissioning and startup.
• Serve as system owner and scope manager on a multidisciplinary CSU team to meet milestones.
• Coordinate day-to-day and look-ahead work with contractors to ensure smooth handover.

Skills

I&C commissioning

Power generation commissioning

Systems completion

Turnover management

English communication

Travel willingness

Job description

CLIENT HIGHLIGHT

The Client you will be working for is a Fortune 100 Oil and Gas Company. This opportunity will give you experience in the energy sector in the United States with a company that is a globally recognized leader in energy production and one of the biggest companies in the US.

LOCATION

Houston, TX 77002 Beginning July 2027 Pecos, TX 79772

COMPENSATION

$96-105 per hour full benefits offered

TERM

6-month contract in Houston, later transitioning to Pecos, Texas July 2027 – March 2031

SCHEDULE

Accommodations with 5/40 – Onsite, transiting to 6/2 or 3/1 rotation.

POSITION OVERVIEW – Lead I&C Commissioning Engineer – Power Generation

The Commissioning I&C Lead Engineer oversees the development and implementation of Systems Completion, Commissioning, and Startup plans for a 2.67 GW co-located natural gas power generation project supplying a next-generation data center in Reeves County, Texas. This role makes sure project systems move safely and efficiently from construction through precommissioning, commissioning, and startup, and are handed over from the EPC contractors to the owner. The Lead Engineer works with internal and external stakeholders across multiple EPC contractors, owner’s team equipment vendors, and the Operations & Maintenance contractor so that systems completion plans stay aligned and the facility hands over smoothly. The project is one of the largest natural gas-powered, co-located power projects in the United States. Site work has started, first power is expected in Q4 2028, and the final unit is expected in Q1 2031.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage all commissioning and startup interfaces between the main EPC contractors and the owner’s team vendors (gas turbine, solar, and grid equipment providers) on behalf of the owner’s CSU organization
• Oversee completion of systems engineering deliverables and commissioning procedures during detailed engineering, including Function Test Procedures, Control Narratives, and Cause and Effect Test Procedures
• Work with project I&C design teams, equipment manufacturers, and contractors to develop and review their testing plans, procedures, and commissioning work packs
• Identify and procure commissioning spares
• Make sure facility design, especially Instrumentation, Controls, and Automation scope, supports safe and reliable precommissioning, commissioning, and startup
• Serve as a system owner and scope manager on a multidisciplinary CSU team during execution, driving systems to completion using the contractors’ standard processes, procedures, and tools
• Direct day-to-day and look-ahead work for owner-provided equipment and services, coordinating commissioning engineers from other disciplines, field construction engineers, and commissioning and FSR contractor personnel to meet project milestones
• Ensure strict adherence to the project turnover requirements in the overall project and CSU execution plans
• Partner with Operations System Champions from the O&M contractor to support the final facility handover
• Champion Incident and Injury Free (IIF) culture and apply Operational Excellence (OE) elements within core technical responsibilities

QUALIFICATIONS

• 15+ years of facilities engineering experience supporting upstream and/or power generation projects or operations, including specific I&C design, commissioning, and startup experience
• 5+ years of Instrumentation & Controls (I&C) commissioning experience
• 5+ years of power generation facility commissioning and startup experience
• 5+ years of systems completion and turnover management experience
• Strong understanding of how power generation facility equipment functions in the field
• Strong technical background and project execution focus in a project-oriented environment
• Strong written and spoken English communication skills
• Willing and able to travel within the U.S.
• Must pass a pre-employment background check and drug screen

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Direct power generation project experience (this is what sets the best candidates apart)
• Experience coordinating across multiple EPC contractors and OEM vendors on large-scale capital projects
• Bilingual or secondary language skills