Main Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Commissioning Engineer

systems engineer working on computer

A Commissioning Engineer is a professional who plays a crucial role in ensuring the successful implementation and operation of complex systems and equipment. They are responsible for overseeing the commissioning process, which involves verifying and testing the performance of systems and ensuring that they meet the required standards and specifications. In this blog post, we will describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Commissioning Engineers.

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Main Responsibilities of a Commissioning Engineer

The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Commissioning Engineer:

Assess

Assess the capability of the system(s) and documentation to achieve the design intent.

Assist in

  • Assist customers with completing and submitting program documentation.

  • Assist in the installation and test of factory and field modifications.

  • Assist in the review and development of existing standards and processes.

  • Assist in the selection components and development of designs.

Assure

Assure compliance with environmental and safety regulations.

Attend

  • Attend factory witness tests and provide detailed report identifying deficiencies.

  • Attend site visits and meetings.

Carry out

Carry out Pre-Commission works of the engine and associated systems.

Collaborate with

  • Collaborate on exciting projects to develop innovative solutions.

  • Collaborate with commissioning agents and third-party vendors.

  • Collaborate with contractors and subcontractors to ensure smooth commissioning.

  • Collaborate with vendors to resolve equipment-related issues.

Collect

Collect and analyze data to evaluate system efficiency and performance.

Compile

  • Compile project documentation and transmit to business and brand services for report publication.

  • Compile technical reports so that the equipment meets regulatory standards for CE, UKCA and UL.

Complete

  • Complete all site documentation in in a timely manner.

  • Complete necessary application and installation checks.

Conduct

  • Conduct audits to assess compliance with commissioning procedures.

  • Conduct performance tests to validate system functionality.

  • Conduct risk assessments and develop risk mitigation strategies.

  • Conduct safety assessments and implement safety protocols.

  • Conduct site visits to verify installation and operation of replacement energy efficient equipment.

  • Conduct tests and compile all testing procedure results.

  • Conduct thorough inspections to ensure compliance with design and safety standards.

  • Conduct training sessions to educate personnel on system operations.

Contribute to

Contribute to the development of new concepts, techniques, and standards.

Coordinate with

  • Coordinate between the various disciplines to drive effective commissioning activities.

  • Coordinate the preparation and issue of the Commissioning Execution Plan.

  • Coordinate with clients to understand their specific requirements.

  • Coordinate with project managers and engineers to establish commissioning schedules.

  • Coordinate with quality control teams to ensure compliance with standards.

  • Coordinate with stakeholders to resolve conflicts and issues.

Create

Create detailed commissioning reports and documentation.

Deliver

Deliver professional, high quality services to and build quick rapport with utility customers.

Develop

  • Develop and execute commissioning plans for various systems and equipment.

  • Develop and execute commissioning plans including resourcing and scheduling.

  • Develop and maintenains of Life Cycle Asset Management (LCAM).

  • Develop and / or review factory witness test procedures for major equipment.

  • Develop building-specific commissioning plans.

  • Develop commissioning strategies, budgets and programmes.

  • Develop concept designs and sequence of operations for energy efficiency projects.

  • Develop detailed test reports of various types of electrical equipment.

  • Develop effective, supportive and collaborative relationships with colleagues.

  • Develop innovation partnerships.

  • Develop program level guidance documents and implementation of said programs.

  • Develop project-specific commissioning plans, procedures, and schedules.

Ensure

  • Ensure adherence to all local regulations and statutory requirements in site activities planning.

  • Ensure all Rolling Stock‘s subsystems interfaces are fully integrated.

  • Ensure all technical issue are fully addressed and commissioned.

  • Ensure commissioning systems are defined to a level sufficient for a level four schedule.

  • Ensure compliance with environmental regulations and sustainability standards.

  • Ensure corporate policies and procedures are fully implemented.

  • Ensure customer satisfaction.

  • Ensure equipment is FAT tested and snag free prior to arrival on site.

  • Ensure HVAC and Mechanical services are operating as per design criteria.

  • Ensure smooth transition of the product from construction through to operational stage.

  • Ensure solutions are consistent with organization objectives.

  • Ensure that the Project Manager is informed of commissioning concerns.

Escalate

Escalate high risk / cost matters appropriately with proposed solution.

Establish

Establish the commissioning requirements for pre-fabrication and modularization.

Evaluate

Evaluate and recommend new technologies and methodologies for commissioning.

Execute

  • Execute site Functional Test Scripts.

  • Execute test & commissioning activities according to test procedures.

Guide

Guide and direct the troubleshooting of problem.

Identify

  • Identify and troubleshoot technical issues during the commissioning process.

  • Identify risks and associated mitigation techniques on utility systems and equipment.

  • Identify the key issues, effectively prioritises, plans ahead and manage expectations.

Implement

  • Implement building commissioning plans.

  • Implement corrective actions to address identified deficiencies.

Instrument

Instrument Commissioning Technicians and Leads.

Integrate

Integrate system testing, load Bank Testing, compilation of all testing procedure results.

Interact with

Interact with union and non-union tradespeople and the client's engineering team, as required.

Interface with

  • Interface with construction contractors, vendors, and testing technicians.

  • Interface with multi-disciplinary / cross-functional project teams.

Know

Know project scope, schedule, and budget.

Lead

  • Lead commissioning coordination meetings.

  • Lead cross-discipline projects.

  • Lead design reviews and propose recommendations for improvements.

  • Lead energy savings and cost analysis for energy efficiency and demand response measures.

  • Lead the commissioning of Highview CES facilities.

  • Lead the discussion with Engineering and WPC suppliers to analyse the root cause.

  • Lead them to perform the ITC tasks.

Maintain

  • Maintain and update data / test records.

  • Maintain complete and legible commissioning documentation to be used in the commissioning report.

  • Maintain flexible work hours, which will include over time and periodic weekend support.

  • Maintain location plans to reflect the 'as installed or as tested' condition of locations under test.

  • Maintain, track and operate test equipment.

Manage

  • Manage and coordinate supplier representatives to execute specialty commissioning work.

  • Manage and lead setup and implementation of the commissioning management system.

  • Manage commissioning budgets and resources effectively.

  • Manage project specific pre-start, start-up, and test-adjust-balance fieldwork.

  • Manage technical aspects of project reviews and mentor reviewing engineers to improve their skills.

  • Manage the day-to-day activities of a team of BSO personnel and contractors.

Meet

Meet overall project budgets and energy savings acquisition targets.

Mentor

Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior engineers and designers.

Monitor

  • Monitor and evaluate equipment and system reliability.

  • Monitor and optimize energy consumption of commissioned systems.

Participate in

  • Participate in commissioning activity meetings.

  • Participate in design reviews to provide input on commissioning requirements.

  • Participate in the Factory Acceptance Testing in the lab and preparation of FAT plan.

  • Participate Rolling Stock First Article Inspection and / or mock-up demostation installation.

Perform

  • Perform and review energy savings calculations.

  • Perform basic apparatus testing and interpret test results with supervision.

  • Perform building energy use simulation for modeling alternatives to capture energy savings.

  • Perform commissioning activities and interpret results with supervision.

  • Perform functional tests to verify proper operation of equipment and systems.

  • Perform installation and testing of field modifications.

  • Perform performance testing on Powell equipment and components, including but not limited to.

  • Perform physical testing of electrical / mechanical equipment and record using test instrumentation.

  • Perform regular inspections of any issued vehicle or calibrated equipment / tools.

  • Perform site inspections to ensure that installed equipment meets design intent.

  • Perform system test activities such as breakdown tests, operational and system level tests.

  • Perform the role of Business Process Manager within one of the C&Q Community of Practices.

Plan

  • Plan and communicate the status of commissioning activities to the wider team and leadership.

  • Plan and schedule site ITC activities in accordance to the rolling programme.

  • Plan, manage and control the delivery of Rolling Stock to the Bangkok Depot.

  • Plan, schedule, and perform work for mid to large size projects and programs.

Prepare

  • Prepare commissioning documentation.

  • Prepare commissioning test procedures and reports.

  • Prepare comprehensive reports.

  • Prepare comprehensive test procedures to evaluate system performance.

Prepare

  • Prepare equipment pre-start-up and start-up procedures.

  • Prepare timely, complete, and appropriately detailed site visit reports highlights any.

Prioritize

Prioritize energy and operational improvements based on budgets, relative cost Vs.

Process

Process Commissioning Engineers.

Produce

Produce method statements.

Provide

  • Provide field engineering support for installation and commissioning as required.

  • Provide Oversight in Equipment selection processes for Capital and OPEX equipment purchases.

  • Provide specialist support to senior management in the development of future project opportunities.

  • Provide support as integral engineering team member.

  • Provide technical assistance and support for energy efficient project implementation.

  • Provide technical support and guidance to project teams.

  • Provide technical support to customers through the implementation process.

  • Provide technical support to production, maintenance management and technical personnel.

  • Provide training and mentorship to junior engineer.

Recommend

Recommend requirements for commissioning resources and strategies to meet the schedule in each area.

Respond to

Respond to customer inquiries in a manner that exceeds the customer's expectations.

Review

  • Review and approve commissioning estimates, budgets, forecasts and schedules.

  • Review and approve detailed test reports of various types of electrical equipment.

  • Review and approve equipment and material submittals.

  • Review and input into the Mechanical Commissioning protocols.

  • Review and interpret technical drawings, schematics, and specifications.

  • Review of designs and control logic to insure appropriateness for required performance criteria.

  • Review system as-built documentation for accuracy and completeness.

Schedule

Schedule and lead commissioning meetings including proper documentation.

Select

Select and manage relevant external resource for project commissioning phases.

Set-up

Set-up engine / package control systems.

Stay updated with

Stay updated with industry trends and best practices in commissioning.

Submit

Submit progress reports and commissioning meeting notes to the project and facility manager.

Support

  • Support the direct Supervisor / Lead with timely updates to engineering progress and performance.

  • Support the suppliers FAT visit and provide O&M requirement to the Engineering.

  • Support will be provided by strong R& D, Engineering, Production and Service teams.

Take

  • Take a realistic view of own strengths and weaknesses.

  • Take part in meetings and work groups related to quality and technical issues.

Travel

Travel and work at site outside of regular office hours as required.

Trouble

Trouble shooting of subsystems and develop to be subsystem specialist.

Understand

  • Understand and apply engineering analysis to develop concepts and validate designs.

  • Understand design intent of all protection and control (P&C) circuits.

Work

Work with the commissioning manager to schedule the required equipment calibrations.

Most In-demand Hard Skills

The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Commissioning Engineer:

  1. Proficiency in reading and interpreting technical drawings and specifications.

  2. Strong knowledge of electrical, mechanical, and control systems.

  3. Expertise in commissioning procedures and methodologies.

  4. In-depth understanding of building automation systems.

  5. Knowledge of HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems.

  6. Familiarity with energy management and optimization techniques.

  7. Ability to use testing and diagnostic equipment effectively.

  8. Proficiency in programming and configuring control systems.

  9. Knowledge of safety standards and protocols.

  10. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

  11. Knowledge of data acquisition and analysis tools.

  12. Proficiency in using commissioning software and tools.

  13. Understanding of equipment calibration procedures.

  14. Knowledge of regulatory requirements and compliance.

  15. Familiarity with different types of sensors and measurement devices.

  16. Ability to perform equipment performance calculations.

  17. Knowledge of electrical and electronic circuits.

  18. Proficiency in computer-aided design (CAD) software.

  19. Understanding of project management principles.

  20. Knowledge of construction and building codes.

Most In-demand Soft Skills

The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Commissioning Engineer:

  1. Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.

  2. Strong interpersonal and teamwork abilities.

  3. Effective problem-solving and decision-making skills.

  4. Attention to detail and accuracy in documentation.

  5. Adaptability and flexibility to handle changing project requirements.

  6. Strong organizational and time management skills.

  7. Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.

  8. Leadership and ability to guide and motivate team members.

  9. Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills.

  10. Client-focused approach and strong customer service skills.

Conclusion

Commissioning Engineers shoulder critical responsibilities in ensuring the successful implementation and operation of complex systems and equipment. Their role demands a combination of technical expertise, such as proficiency in reading technical drawings and knowledge of control systems, as well as essential soft skills like communication, problem-solving, and leadership. By possessing these skills, Commissioning Engineers contribute to the smooth functioning and reliability of systems, ensuring that projects are executed to meet the highest standards of performance and quality.

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