Senior Mechanical Commissioning Manager

KODIAK Construction Recruiting & Staffing; Odessa (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

KODIAK Construction Recruiting & Staffing seeks a senior commissioning leader to own mechanical commissioning and startup for a major West Texas oil and gas project in Odessa. You will collaborate with construction, operations, engineering, vendors, and client teams to move systems through turnover, testing, first run, and final handover.

You will have field authority to set priorities, manage readiness risks, drive punch-list closure, and make safety‑critical startup decisions.

Qualifications

• 12+ years in commissioning/startup/operations in oil and gas or similar heavy industry.
• 5+ years leading commissioning/startup teams on major field projects.
• Hands-on knowledge of rotating and fixed equipment, piping, valves, and utilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the commissioning and startup plan with boundaries, turnover sequence, staffing and acceptance criteria.
• Lead mechanical completion, pre-commissioning, commissioning, startup, and turnover activities.
• Oversee readiness activities for all major process equipment and utilities.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams including construction, operations, engineering and vendors.
• Drive punch-list closure and handover documentation to operations.

Skills

Rotating equipment

P&IDs literacy

Systemization/turnover

Field leadership

Troubleshooting

Documentation & records

Decision making under risk

Safety & permits

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Mechanical and Process Systems | West Texas Oil and Gas

18-month project | Odessa, Texas | Travel as required

Lead the startup of major process systems

This is an opportunity for a senior commissioning leader who knows how to take complex mechanical and process systems from turnover to safe, reliable operation. You will own mechanical commissioning and startup for a major West Texas oil and gas project, working directly with construction, operations, engineering, vendors, and the client to move systems through completion, testing, first run, performance verification, and final handover.

You will have the field authority to set priorities, identify readiness risks, drive punch-list closure, and make the decisions that protect people, equipment, schedule, and startup milestones. The role is focused on mechanical and process systems; electrical and instrumentation teams will be key interfaces, but this is not an electrical commissioning lead position.

What makes this opportunity compelling

• Senior-level ownership of mechanical commissioning and startup on a major industrial project.
• Strong hourly compensation with overtime and daily per diem.
• A field leadership role with direct visibility to project and client leadership.
• Work across compressors, pumps, drivers, vessels, exchangers, piping, utilities, and packaged process equipment.
• The opportunity to shape turnover strategy, startup readiness, troubleshooting, and final handover.

What you will lead

• Develop and execute the commissioning and startup plan, including system boundaries, turnover sequence, staffing, schedule, priorities, and acceptance criteria.
• Lead mechanical completion, pre-commissioning, commissioning, startup, stabilization, performance testing, and turnover.
• Systemize facilities using P&IDs, process flow diagrams, equipment lists, line lists, and turnover packages.
• Direct readiness and commissioning activities for compressors, pumps, turbines or drivers, separators, vessels, exchangers, fired equipment, tanks, piping, valves, utilities, and packaged equipment.
• Oversee pressure testing, flushing, blowing, chemical cleaning, leak testing, drying, inerting, lubrication, alignment verification, rotation checks, preservation removal, and equipment readiness.
• Verify completion records, test packages, inspection records, vendor documentation, punch lists, and turnover dossiers before startup authorization.
• Coordinate construction, operations, engineering, quality, safety, controls, vendors, subcontractors, and client representatives.
• Lead walkdowns and drive Category A, B, and C punch-list closure based on startup risk and turnover requirements.
• Maintain the commissioning schedule, 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 acceptance documentation.
• Coordinate vendor representatives through installation verification, first run, troubleshooting, warranty requirements, and performance testing.
• Lead field troubleshooting and root-cause resolution during startup and early operation.
• Control simultaneous operations, permits, isolations, line breaking, confined-space work, pressure testing, and startup energy hazards.
• Drive final handover to operations with complete records, operator training, spare-parts status, approved exceptions, and clear ownership of outstanding items.

What you bring

• 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.
• Hands‑on knowledge of rotating equipment, fixed equipment, piping, pressure systems, valves, utilities, and packaged equipment.
• Strong understanding of mechanical completion, systemization, turnover, preservation, pre-commissioning, startup, performance testing, and final acceptance.
• Ability to read and apply 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 make sound decisions in active construction and startup environments.
• 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 license and ability to work at remote West Texas project locations.

Preferred background

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, construction management, or a related technical field; extensive directly relevant field experience may substitute.
• Commissioning experience in gas plants, compressor stations, cryogenic processing facilities, pipelines, terminals, refineries, or large industrial process facilities.
• Experience with 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.