Commissioning Engineer Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a commissioning engineer. You can use our job description template in this article to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a commissioning engineer.
Who is a Commissioning Engineer?
A Commissioning Engineer is in charge of providing essential assistance for engineering and building projects. Their primary responsibility is to examine the machinery, facilities, and every other element of an engineering project to ensure everything is installed and designed properly. They typically write reports, help with technical problems, carry out testing processes, and manage the project’s whole life cycle.
Commissioning engineers can also offer technical and engineering support to guarantee that projects are finished on time and within budget. Because commissioning engineers work on several projects, their daily responsibilities might vary based on the business they work for, their current projects, and the industry they operate in.
A commissioning engineer performs a specialized job that requires technical knowledge, hands-on experience, and collaboration with other engineers and site personnel. Several critical skills will advance your career, regardless of whether you are a general commissioning engineer or in a particular area of the engineering profession.
Outstanding technical and mathematical abilities are a prerequisite if you want to carve out a career in engineering, a field whose needs are so diverse. You will need to comprehend the machinery you are working with and know how to fix any issues that arise; these may vary based on your experience and the sector you operate in.
You will be involved in various project-related activities as a commissioning engineer, including those related to energy management and the life sciences. Being able to connect to and interact with a wide range of individuals is crucial since you will probably need to do so while working with contractors, other engineers, and the people who run the machinery you are commissioning.
Commissioning Engineer Job Description
Below are the commissioning engineer job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of the Commissioning Engineer include the following:
- Coordinate with the business and the contractor to ensure smooth project commissioning.
- Approve and Supervise commissioning plans in compliance with project specifications.
- Examine designs and manage on-site commissioning tasks.
- Create and keep track of commission records for checklists, testing procedures, and site inspections.
- Describe the processes, standards, and specifics for creating the Systems Manual.
- Follow the project and commissioning rules for installing, submitting, and using engineering tools.
- Organize testing procedures and encourage experts to provide standardized outcomes.
- Assist in locating and fixing commissioning and malfunctioning problems.
- Observe and evaluate advancement through meetings.
- Analyze contractual commissioning data and instruction standards in light of the project’s requirements.
- Gather information from commission reports for a summary.
- Help update and summarize commission records.
- Plan and oversee operational evaluations with the personnel.
- Foster a culture that is empowering and inspirational with the commissioning team.
- Achieve customer satisfaction by following the owner’s instructions with the help of the entire project team.
Qualifications
- A bachelor’s degree in electrical, mechanical, or civil engineering
- Experienced in a relevant engineering role, at least through an internship
- Have a professional engineering license
Essential Skills
Here are the skills you require to excel in your career as a Commissioning Engineer:
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Energy Management Systems
- Automation Systems
- Construction Papers Knowledge
- Financial Savvy
- Leadership
- Organizing
- Project Management
- Problem-solving
- Systems Integration
- Technology
- Time Management
Communication
Engineering professionals employ written and spoken communication abilities. Commissioning engineers stay in touch with customers and coworkers before, through, and after the projects to review plans, explain concepts, and assess results. They can clarify technical terms while interacting with customer reps so that everyone is on the same page. They also utilize their writing abilities to create thorough reports of their assignments, which can help the team members understand what happened and how to do things better in the future.
Collaboration
Commissioning engineers collaborate closely with other technical professionals to ensure the product satisfies the client’s requirements. Commissioning engineers may foster a productive working environment by demonstrating good collaboration. They can feel at ease seeking clarification on a job and instigating an alternative viewpoint to improve the creation of a product. Collaboration may be a useful addition to communication abilities. Commissioning engineers know the value of treating others with respect and starting regular talks to hold themselves and their coworkers accountable for their behavior at work.
Energy Management Systems
The instruments used to monitor and control energy production, distribution, and consumption are known as energy management systems. This knowledge is used by commissioning engineers to guarantee the effective operation of a building’s electrical system. They also use this skill when resolving any electrical system problems in a building.
Automation Systems
Automation systems are the computer software and technology that manage the plumbing, electrical, and mechanical components of a building. To make sure these systems interact well, commissioning engineers employ automation expertise. They also use their automation expertise when resolving problems with already installed automation systems. This makes sure they can find any issues quickly and effectively.
Construction Papers Knowledge
A set of instructions called construction papers describes how to create something. Before construction starts, you may be required to verify the construction plans as a commissioning engineer to ensure they are accurate. When inspecting the finished product to ensure it was constructed properly, you also draw on your understanding of construction papers.
Financial Savvy
The monitoring of project expenses is another duty of commissioning engineers. They can create a budget that aligns with the business and the customers’ goals thanks to their financial knowledge. They could also set aside sufficient financial resources to carry out a project successfully. Commissioning engineers may anticipate the finances available while working on many projects at once before accepting another task. If a project turns out to be more involved than they had anticipated, they might also change their financial attitudes. For instance, if they need to buy extra equipment, they search for less-priced but more effective options.
Leadership
The ability to inspire and guide people is leadership. You can be in charge of supervising groups of engineers who are installing new equipment at power plants as a commissioning engineer. Strong leadership abilities may give direction and ensure that your team members do their jobs. Instilling confidence in your staff will also make it easier for them to follow your directions.
Organizing
Being organized is being able to keep track of many duties and obligations. A commissioning engineer may be in charge of managing several projects at once. Strong organizational abilities may support efficient time management and the timely completion of all project components. Additionally, having a well-organized workstation can help you locate files and papers quickly.
Project Management
You may organize projects and supervise their execution with the help of project management abilities. As a commissioning engineer, you will manage the lengthy, years-long process of installing large-scale industrial systems. Strong project management skills enable you to ensure that every part of the project is finished on schedule and within budget.
Problem-solving
Commissioning engineers work on complicated projects that may need them to identify and address problems before delivering the finished product to clients. Professionals evaluate and test things using problem-solving strategies. They can identify the malfunction’s root cause and implement corrective procedures to stop the issue from recurring again. Commissioning engineers can use problem-solving techniques to improve their interactions with coworkers. If a customer expresses uncertainty about the course of a project, the engineer can reassure the client while maintaining a positive working relationship.
Systems Integration
The capacity to integrate numerous systems into a single system is known as systems integration. As a commissioning engineer, you may need to integrate diverse mechanical and electrical systems to ensure they function well. This ability can assist you in creating procedures that are more effective and lower the possibility of future project problems.
Technology
Commissioning engineers can grasp how to evaluate and troubleshoot goods thanks to their technical skills. Because they are familiar with how technology functions, they can recognize good performance and malfunctions. Additionally, they may offer suggestions to improve the product’s functionality to satisfy the customer and strengthen the company’s standing in the market.
Time Management
Due to the many deadlines set by clients for getting the finished work, time management can be a crucial ability. Commissioning engineers know how to organize, carry out, and assess their processes to guarantee they are giving clients high-quality output. They are also capable of juggling the demands of several tasks at once. For instance, a professional may complete the report outlining the accomplishments of one project while also leading the team of technical staff members for another assignment on the same day. They can meet the needs of the customer and the organization by managing their time well and being productive at work.
How to Become a Commissioning Engineer
Step One: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
Those who want to become commissioning engineers should enroll in a civil, mechanical, or electrical engineering bachelor’s program. In addition to classes relevant to the topic of study, students in most engineering programs must also complete math and science courses. Programs like mechanical engineering may contain coursework on applied thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, machine design, statics, and manufacturing processes. The electrical engineering curriculum may cover electronics, signals and systems, and applied electromagnetics. Civil engineering curricula may contain surveying, biological processes in environmental engineering, materials science and engineering, and transportation engineering.
Step Two: Join an Internship
A few universities and businesses provide internship programs that can provide students with practical experience in their chosen engineering sector. Any prospective commissioning engineer will benefit greatly from having this experience.
Step Three: Acquire Professional Experience
Through an entry-level or junior engineering role, commissioning engineers can get professional experience in their area of technical specialization. Entry-level electrical project engineers may be responsible for keeping records and documentation up to date, establishing hardware and software control systems, monitoring the fabrication of design projects, and staying in touch with clients to achieve project objectives. A junior mechanical engineer may research, aid in the development of technology, design goods, and prototypes, record findings, and carry out assessments. Engineers that hold junior or entry-level positions may be able to move to commission engineer positions that need more expertise.
Step Four: Obtain a License
Some employers could favor candidates who have earned professional engineer licenses in their various countries. Candidates must have gotten their engineering degree, passed the relevant licensure tests, and undergone necessary work experience under the supervision of a licensed engineer. Candidates should verify with their country and state boards for acceptable programs and opportunities as criteria differ.
Where to Work as a Commissioning Engineer
Commissioning engineers may work in places such as factories, power plants, office buildings, and other industrial locations. They might come into contact with harmful chemicals, noise, dust, and other airborne particles, so they should wear proper work outfits and take precautionary measures.
They could do their jobs at heights and in small areas. Although they work a 40-hour workweek, they might need to add extra hours to meet deadlines or handle crises. To do inspections or to instruct other engineers, commissioning engineers may go to different locations.
Commissioning Engineer Salary Scale
The compensation range for commissioning engineers in the United States normally ranges from $72,334 to $103,272. The average commissioning engineer’s income is $80,557.
In the United Kingdom, the average commissioning engineer income is £40,000 per year or £20.51 per hour. Most experienced professionals earn up to £57,500 a year, while entry-level roles start at £35,000.
Commissioning engineers in Canada make an average of CA$ 96,977 per year and CA$ 47 per hour. A Commissioning Engineer can expect to make between CA$52,949 and CA$121,609 per year on average.
The typical compensation for a commissioning engineer at the entry level is €36,871 in Germany. The average pay for senior-level commissioning engineers is €84,682.
In Australia, the average commissioning engineer salary is AU$ 100,179 per year or AU$ 50 per hour. Commissioning engineers typically earn between AU$60,158 and AU$138,165 per year.
Commissioning engineers in Ireland make an average of €64,361 per year and €31 per hour. A Commissioning Engineer can expect to make between €35,141 and €80,708 annually.
The typical monthly salary for a commissioning engineer in Nigeria is around ₦300,000. The salary ranges from ₦144,000 to ₦471,000.
Salary ranges can vary significantly based on various crucial aspects, including education, credentials, skills, and the length of time working in a given field.
