Senior Commissioning Manager – MECH

KODIAK Construction Recruiting & Staffing; Odessa (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 117,000; Full time

Job summary

KODIAK Construction Recruiting & Staffing seeks a Senior Commissioning Manager for West Texas oil and gas facilities. You will lead mechanical, process, and startup activities from system turnover through performance testing and handover, interfacing with electrical, instrumentation, and operations teams.

Your role focuses on rotating equipment, piping, pressure systems, vessels, utilities, and packaged equipment, with field leadership and rigorous safety and documentation practices throughout.

Qualifications

• 12+ years in commissioning/startup/construction/operations in oil & gas or heavy industrial facilities.
• 5+ years leading commissioning or startup teams on major field projects.
• Hands-on knowledge of mechanical and process systems (rotating equipment, piping, valves, utilities).
• Knowledge of mechanical completion, turnover, pre-commissioning, startup and performance testing.
• Ability to read P&IDs, process flow diagrams, equipment data sheets, isometrics, vendor manuals.
• Lead multidisciplinary field teams and coordinate with operations, engineering, safety, quality, and client leadership.
• Proficiency with MS Office and commissioning/turnover systems.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to work at remote West Texas locations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute commissioning and startup plan with turnover sequence and acceptance criteria.
• Lead mechanical completion, pre-commissioning, commissioning, startup, and turnover activities.
• Establish system boundaries using P&IDs, PFDs, equipment lists and turnover packages.
• Direct commissioning for compressors, pumps, turbines, and related equipment.
• Oversee pressure testing, flushing, cleaning, leak testing, and equipment readiness.
• Ensure completion records, test packages, and vendor docs are ready before startup.
• Coordinate daily work across construction, operations, engineering, safety, and vendors.
• Review risks and identify design issues delaying safe commissioning.
• Lead punch-list management and forecast system turnover milestones.
• Maintain commissioning schedule, manpower plan, and progress reporting.
• Develop and approve procedures, startup sequences, and test records.
• Coordinate vendor reps for installation verification and testing.
• Serve as field contact for commissioning status and risk management.
• Lead root-cause analysis for startup issues and ensure safety.

Skills

Commissioning

Startup leadership

Mechanical systems

Process systems

P&IDs reading

Planning

Documentation

MS Office

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering

Job description

Job Description

Senior Commissioning Manager Mechanical and Process Systems

West Texas

Position

Senior Commissioning Manager - Mechanical and Process Systems

Location

West Texas project sites

Industry

Oil and gas, gas processing, midstream, and industrial construction

Employment

Full-time project assignment; field-based with travel as required

Compensation

$80-$85 per hour

Position Summary

A leading industrial contractor is seeking a high-level Commissioning Manager to lead the mechanical, process, and operational startup of oil and gas facilities in West Texas. This position owns commissioning execution from system turnover through startup, performance testing, and final handover. The role is centered on mechanical and process systems, including rotating equipment, piping, pressure systems, vessels, utilities, and packaged equipment. Electrical and instrumentation teams will be key interfaces, but this position is not intended to serve as the project electrical commissioning lead.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the project commissioning and startup plan, including system boundaries, turnover sequence, priorities, staffing, schedule, and acceptance criteria.
• Lead mechanical completion, pre-commissioning, commissioning, startup, stabilization, performance testing, and turnover for assigned facilities and systems.
• Establish systemization and subsystem boundaries using P&IDs, process flow diagrams, equipment lists, line lists, and project turnover packages.
• Direct commissioning activities for compressors, pumps, turbines or drivers, separators, vessels, exchangers, fired equipment, tanks, piping systems, valves, utility systems, and packaged process equipment.
• Oversee pressure testing, flushing, blowing, chemical cleaning, leak testing, drying, inerting, lubrication, alignment verification, rotation checks, preservation removal, and equipment readiness activities.
• Confirm that mechanical completion records, test packages, inspection records, vendor documentation, punch lists, and turnover dossiers are complete and accurate before startup authorization.
• Coordinate daily work among construction, operations, engineering, quality, safety, vendors, subcontractors, and client representatives.
• Review constructability, operability, maintainability, and startup risks; identify incomplete work or design issues that could delay safe commissioning.
• Lead system walkdowns and assign, prioritize, track, and close Category A, B, and C punch-list items based on startup risk and turnover requirements.
• Build and maintain the commissioning schedule, system turnover forecast, constraint log, manpower plan, daily execution plan, and progress reporting.
• Develop and approve commissioning procedures, startup sequences, check sheets, test records, operating readiness reviews, and system acceptance documentation.
• Coordinate vendor representatives for equipment installation verification, first run, troubleshooting, warranty compliance, and performance testing.
• Serve as the primary field point of contact for mechanical commissioning status, priorities, risks, schedule impacts, and recovery actions.
• Lead troubleshooting and root‑cause resolution for mechanical and process issues encountered during startup and early operation.
• Maintain strict control of simultaneous operations, permits, isolations, line‑breaking activities, confined‑space work, pressure testing, and startup energy hazards.
• Drive final handover to operations with complete records, approved exceptions, operator training, spare‑parts status, and outstanding‑item ownership clearly documented.

Required Qualifications

• 12 or more years of progressive commissioning, startup, construction, operations, or maintenance experience in oil and gas, gas processing, midstream, petrochemical, refining, or comparable heavy industrial facilities.
• At least 5 years leading commissioning or startup teams on major field projects.
• Demonstrated hands‑on knowledge of mechanical and process systems, including rotating equipment, fixed equipment, piping, pressure systems, valves, utilities, and packaged equipment.
• Strong working knowledge of mechanical completion, systemization, turnover, preservation, pre‑commissioning, startup, performance testing, and final acceptance.
• Ability to read and use P&IDs, process flow diagrams, equipment data sheets, plot plans, isometrics, vendor manuals, cause‑and‑effect documents, and turnover records.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary field teams and coordinate effectively with construction, operations, engineering, quality, safety, controls, and client leadership.
• Working knowledge of applicable industry practices and standards, including API, ASME, OSHA, and client‑specific commissioning requirements.
• Strong planning, documentation, schedule‑management, problem‑solving, and field decision‑making skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and commissioning, completion, turnover, or project‑control systems.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to work at remote West Texas project locations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, construction management, or a related technical field; extensive directly relevant field experience may substitute for a degree.
• Experience commissioning gas plants, compressor stations, cryogenic processing facilities, pipelines, terminals, refineries, or large industrial process facilities.
• Experience working for an EPC contractor or self‑performing industrial constructor on fast‑track projects.
• Previous responsibility for commissioning budgets, staffing plans, integrated schedules, and client reporting.
• Formal training in commissioning, startup, mechanical integrity, process safety management, or project management.

Safety and Leadership Expectations

• Lead every commissioning activity with a safety‑first mindset and stop work when conditions, permits, isolations, procedures, or personnel readiness are inadequate.
• Set clear daily priorities, hold teams accountable for safe and complete execution, and communicate problems before they affect startup milestones.
• Maintain professional working relationships with operations, the client, contractors, vendors, and project leadership while protecting schedule, quality, and turnover standards.
• Remain visible in the field and verify actual system readiness rather than relying only on reported status.

Work Environment

• Field‑based assignment at active oil and gas construction and operating facilities in West Texas.
• Extended hours, weekends, shift work, and schedule changes may be required during critical turnover and startup periods.
• Must be able to work outdoors in heat, cold, wind, dust, and other typical West Texas conditions while wearing required PPE.
• Must be able to walk active construction sites, climb stairs and ladders, and access equipment areas as required to perform inspections and system walkdowns.

Compensation Guidance

Recommended hourly range: $80-$85 per hour.

• For a field‑based West Texas assignment, per diem, housing, travel reimbursement, vehicle allowance, bonus eligibility, and overtime treatment should be stated separately.
• Candidates with major gas‑processing startup experience, multi‑project leadership, or direct responsibility for complex compressor and process systems may require compensation at or above the top of the range.

Success Measures

• Systems are turned over in the planned sequence and accepted with complete documentation.
• Startup milestones are achieved without compromising safety, mechanical integrity, or operating readiness.
• Critical punch‑list items, testing exceptions, vendor issues, and turnover constraints are identified early and driven to closure.
• The facility reaches stable operation and performance requirements with an orderly handoff to the operations team.