Lead Commissioning Engineer
2 days ago
Farnborough
We are looking for an experienced Commissioning Lead to take ownership of all commissioning activities for a major capital investment program in the UK. This role will lead the commissioning of a state-of-the-art R&D laboratory facility — ensuring all building systems, specialist lab infrastructure, automation controls, and environmental systems are fully tested, verified, and ready for safe operational use. This is a critical delivery role requiring strong technical expertise, structured planning capability, and the ability to coordinate multiple contractors and stakeholders through complex system start-up and handover phases. 🔎 The Role You will be accountable for: • Leading the development and execution of the Commissioning Strategy and Master Commissioning Plan, • Defining commissioning scope, methodologies, documentation standards, and success criteria, • Managing commissioning activities across complex building systems, including:, • MEP systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing), • BMS/EMS systems, • Specialist laboratory systems (fume cupboards, containment, LEVs, gas systems), • Process utilities and environmental controls, • Fire and life safety systems, • Coordinating multiple commissioning teams across contractors, subcontractors, and specialist vendors, • Ensuring systems are installation-ready and safe for energisation and start-up (including LOTO controls), • Overseeing functional testing, performance testing, and integrated systems testing (IST), • Ensuring commissioning documentation is complete and approved (PFCs, test scripts, reports, as-builts, O&M manuals), • Tracking, managing, and closing punch-list items and technical deficiencies, • Leading risk workshops related to system start-up and managing technical risks through to handover, • Acting as the key liaison between construction, operational readiness, FM, HSE, IT, and laboratory end-users, • Supporting operational training and ensuring effective knowledge transfer, • Driving final system acceptance and transition into steady-state operations 🎯 About You • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Building Services, or related discipline, • Proven experience as a Commissioning Lead or Commissioning Manager on large-scale capital projects, • Experience delivering commissioning within laboratory, R&D, or highly serviced technical environments, • Strong understanding of MEP systems, automation controls, environmental systems, and specialist lab infrastructure, • Experience delivering integrated systems testing and complex start-up phases, • Ability to interpret technical drawings, specifications, and commissioning protocols, • Strong planning, coordination, and organisational capability, • Confident stakeholder manager with the ability to influence across multidisciplinary teams, • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, • Calm, structured, and solutions-focused under pressure 💡 Why This Role? • Opportunity to lead commissioning for a flagship R&D facility, • High-impact role at the critical transition from construction to operations, • Ownership of system readiness, safety, and performance, • Key leadership position within a major capital investment program We are an equal opportunities Recruitment Business and Agency. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.