SU Startup Management

ESS, Inc.; Chandler (AZ); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Bechtel seeks a Senior Commissioning and Start-Up Manager to lead the base-build commissioning for a semiconductor fab in Chandler, AZ. You will plan, coordinate, and execute commissioning and system start-up activities to ensure tool installation readiness and turnover to operations.

You will partner with Project Controls and Construction to weave commissioning into the master schedule, managing interdependencies and readiness milestones for phased turnover.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Chemical Engineering, or Construction Management required.
• Minimum 15 years in engineering or 20 years in high-tech construction, cleanroom or mission-critical commissioning.

Responsibilities

• Develop commissioning strategy, sequences, and system turnover plans.
• Define and integrate commissioning scope within overall project execution and schedule.
• Establish phased cleanroom readiness strategies to support progressive tool installation.
• Collaborate with scheduling to align construction, pre-commissioning, and start-up.
• Lead system commissioning, start-up, and performance verification activities.
• Oversee test plans, procedures, and validation protocols.
• Manage troubleshooting and resolution of system deficiencies under initial load.
• Interface with client stakeholders to align on objectives and acceptance criteria.
• Communicate status, risks, and mitigation plans to project leadership.
• Drive system completion, documentation, and turnover to operations.
• Ensure operational readiness for manufacturing and integration of process tools.
• Support ramp-up activities and stabilization of facility systems.

Skills

Leadership

Fab systems knowledge

Scheduling & planning

Stakeholder communication

ASHRAE standards

Construction leadership

Clean rooms

Bechtel experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Chemical Engineering, or Construction Management

Job description

As a Senior Commissioning and Start-Up, Manager, you will join a collaborative team delivering CSU services to clients who leads the critical transition of a fabrication facility (fab) from construction to full-scale manufacturing operations. The Commissioning Manager is accountable for the planning, coordination, and execution of commissioning and system start-up activities for the base build of a semiconductor fabrication facility. This role ensures all systems and infrastructure meet design intent, operational requirements, and readiness criteria for tool installation and production.

From project inception, the Commissioning Manager partners closely with Project Controls and Construction to integrate commissioning logic into the master schedule, aligning construction sequencing with system start-up and phased turnover requirements.

• Collaborate: Actively seeks out others’ opinions and input and is open-minded to their views. Challenges others appropriately and is also open to being challenged on their own views.
• Communicate: Is effective at adapting their communication style appropriately to their audience, providing context and using the right tone and level of information.
• Customer Focus: Prioritizes the customer needs and puts these at the forefront of all interactions. Ensures that others within their team maintain this same approach.
• Deliver: Demonstrates making well thought out, timely decisions and prioritization that leads to successful outcomes. Includes the right people at the right time.
• Problem Solve: Accurately assesses a situation to find the best solution or way of working in order to resolve the issues. Is focused on creating a long term fix rather than a short-term solution.
• Role Model: Contributes to the Bechtel culture by inspiring and motivating others through their positive approach and attitude. Comes to work determined to do a good job, for themselves and for their team. #LI-AA1

Major Responsibilities

• Commissioning Strategy & Planning
• Develop commissioning execution strategy, sequences, and system turnover plans
• Define and integrate commissioning scope within overall project execution and schedule
• Establish phased cleanroom readiness strategies to support progressive tool installation
• Scheduling & Integration
• Collaborate with project scheduling to ensure alignment between construction, pre-commissioning, and start-up activities
• Identify and manage system interdependencies impacting commissioning and start-up sequences
• Drive readiness milestones and turnover gates tied to construction completion and system availability
• Execution & Start-Up
• Lead system commissioning, start-up, and performance verification activities
• Oversee development and execution of test plans, procedures, and validation protocols
• Manage troubleshooting and resolution of system deficiencies, including turndown and stability challenges under initial load conditions
• Interface with client stakeholders to ensure alignment on commissioning objectives and acceptance criteria
• Ensure effective communication of status, risks, and mitigation plans to project leadership
• Drive system completion, documentation, and turnover to operations
• Ensure operational readiness for manufacturing and integration of process tools
• Support ramp-up activities and stabilization of facility systems
• Scoping project drawings
• Complete the RASCI Matrix
• Supports reviews of performance curves, metrics, trackers, and feedback to show trends, and use in improvements.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Degree bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Chemical Engineering, or Construction Management.
• Minimum of 15 years in engineering or 20 years of experience in high-tech construction, cleanroom environments, or mission-critical facility commissioning.

Required Knowledge and Skills

• Proven leadership in commissioning large-scale semiconductors or high-tech manufacturing facilities
• Deep technical knowledge of Fab systems, including HVAC, process utilities, electrical, and controls
• Strong understanding of semiconductor industry standards and commissioning practices
• Expertise in integrated scheduling, system completion, and startup planning
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills for coordination with engineering, operations, and client teams.
• Proven leadership and supervisory skills with a focus on mentorship and accountability.
• Knowledge of ASHRAE Guidelines and Standards.
• Identifies owner’s goals, needs, and expectations for building operation and function; identifies the Commissioning (CSU) responsibilities.
• Leadership or Supervisory experience, ideally leading a Construction Automation Team on a Bechtel jobsite.
• Understand and have knowledge of Clean Rooms.