Commissioning Manager

The Commissioning Manager will serve as the Owner’s representative for a utility‑scale battery energy storage system (BESS) project, overseeing the full commissioning process from readiness through energization and parallel operation with the utility grid. This role focuses on verification and oversight rather than hands‑on installation or relay testing, ensuring that electrical, controls, protection, and communications systems are installed correctly, thoroughly tested, and operating safely and in compliance before the system goes live. The position offers the opportunity to support complex power and renewable energy projects nationwide, contribute to a rapidly growing service portfolio, and grow into a technical leadership role within a highly respected electrical testing and commissioning organization.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the complete commissioning process for utility‑scale BESS and other grid‑connected electrical systems from initial readiness through energization and parallel operation with the utility grid.
• Act as the Owner’s representative during commissioning, ensuring that all work meets design intent, safety requirements, and applicable standards.
• Coordinate closely with EPC contractors, vendors, third‑party testing firms, and utilities throughout all commissioning phases.
• Develop, refine, and execute detailed commissioning plans, procedures, and system‑specific checklists for electrical, controls, protection, and communications systems.
• Verify correct installation, configuration, and functional operation of electrical, control, protection, and communications systems prior to energization.
• Confirm proper grid synchronization and validate import/export control functions for the battery energy storage system and associated equipment.
• Verify correct operation of anti‑islanding protection, lockout, and recovery sequences to ensure safe and reliable grid‑connected operation.
• Witness vendor and third‑party testing activities, review test results, and validate that all acceptance criteria and compliance requirements are met.
• Identify, track, and document commissioning issues, non‑conformances, and punch‑list items, and drive them to resolution prior to interconnection approval.
• Produce clear and comprehensive commissioning reports, test summaries, and turnover documentation for the Owner and project stakeholders.
• Maintain a strong focus on compliance verification, safety, and quality across all commissioning activities.
• Collaborate with engineering personnel on highly technical issues and with construction personnel on constructability, schedule, and cost considerations.
• Provide technical leadership and coordination across multiple disciplines, including electrical, controls, and protection, rather than serving in a purely project management or observer capacity.
• Apply strong judgment to represent the Owner’s interests, including pushing back on contractors when necessary to uphold safety, quality, and compliance standards.
• Troubleshoot system performance or operational issues uncovered during commissioning and coordinate corrective actions with relevant parties.
• Support multiple concurrent projects, managing priorities, deliverables, and schedules effectively.
• When not on site for commissioning, contribute to billable work such as project management or technical engineering support for ongoing projects.
• Help develop and improve commissioning documentation, including acceptance and readiness criteria, test plans, and system‑specific checklists.
• Contribute to the company’s growth by delivering high‑quality work that leads to repeat business and expanded service offerings, and by positioning yourself for future leadership responsibilities over service lines and teams.

• At least 7 years of commissioning and start‑up experience on grid‑connected electrical system projects such as battery energy storage systems (BESS), substations, power generation, or similar assets.
• Proven experience leading commissioning efforts through energization and utility parallel operation, not limited to observer‑only roles.
• Hands‑on experience with power commissioning projects, including verification and troubleshooting of system performance.
• Direct exposure to utility witness testing and first energization activities for grid‑connected assets.
• Strong technical leadership and coordination experience across multi‑discipline teams, including electrical, controls, and protection.
• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with engineering personnel on complex technical issues.
• Demonstrated ability to work with construction personnel on constructability, scheduling, and cost issues.
• Proven ability to multi‑task and oversee multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining high standards of quality and safety.
• Experience in electrical construction and project management, including substation and related power infrastructure work.
• Background in electrical engineering or closely related electrical disciplines, with strong understanding of power systems.
• Experience with electrical construction management, project engineering, and electrical project management responsibilities.
• Strong judgment and confidence in representing the Owner’s interests, including the ability to challenge contractors when needed to protect safety, quality, and compliance.
• Self‑starter mindset with a high drive for quality, execution, and safety in all project phases.
• Comfort working on renewable energy and power projects, including BESS, solar, and other grid‑connected renewable assets.
• Ability to verify system operation for grid synchronization, import/export controls, anti‑islanding, lockout, and recovery sequences.

• Experience working as an Owner’s Engineer or in a similar Owner’s representative capacity on power or renewable energy projects.
• Experience with acceptance testing, maintenance testing, and commissioning of electrical power systems and substations.
• Familiarity with developing commissioning documentation, including acceptance and readiness criteria, commissioning plans, and system‑specific checklists.
• Ability to translate project, equipment, and compliance requirements into clear, practical test criteria.
• Multi‑discipline leadership experience across controls, protection, and electrical engineering teams.
• Exposure to solar projects, renewable energy facilities, and large‑scale power infrastructure.
• Experience with life extension, engineering support, third‑party testing, repairs, and maintenance of electrical equipment such as SF6 gas circuit breakers and voltage regulators.
• Experience supporting industries such as mining, industrial electrical, data centers, primary metals, utilities, health care, and military or government facilities.
• Strong written communication skills for preparing detailed commissioning reports and turnover documentation.
• Strong verbal communication and interpersonal skills for coordinating with clients, utilities, EPCs, and field teams.
• Interest in growing into a leadership role, including leading service offerings, building and mentoring teams, and acting as a seller/doer with clients.
• High level of professionalism, accountability, and commitment to safety and quality in field and office environments.

This role combines field‑based commissioning work at client sites with remote work from home when not on site. The position is structured as a long‑term opportunity, with an initial contract‑to‑hire or direct placement arrangement for the right candidate. When not actively engaged in on‑site commissioning, you will typically work from home, supporting billable work such as project management or technical engineering tasks. You will travel to client project sites, often working independently on site while coordinating with remote teams. Travel is supported with a per diem based on federal rates to cover food and lodging, and a company credit card is provided for approved expenses. When air travel is required, flights are fully covered. For ground travel, you may use a company truck with a gas card or your personal vehicle with a stipend and fuel coverage. You will frequently support utility‑scale power and renewable energy projects across the United States, including battery energy storage systems, substations, and data center‑related electrical infrastructure. The company is rapidly growing, with projects spanning from the West Coast to the East Coast and expanding service offerings in response to strong client demand and repeat business. The organization focuses on maintenance testing, acceptance testing, and commissioning, and also performs smaller construction projects such as upgrades, retrofits, and greenfield substations. The culture combines the financial stability of a larger corporate group with the autonomy and feel of an employee‑oriented company, emphasizing safety, quality, and technical excellence. Team members receive paid time off starting with two weeks of vacation plus one week of sick time, recognition of major holidays including additional paid time on Christmas Eve and a floating holiday around Thanksgiving, and access to retirement and health benefits. The environment is dynamic and growth‑oriented, with significant opportunities to advance into leadership roles as the company scales its services and supports high‑profile clients and complex power projects.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Ashland, KY.

The pay range for this position is $60.00 - $80.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a hybrid position in Ashland,KY.

This position is anticipated to close on Apr 23, 2026.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:

• Hiring diverse talent
• Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
• Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
• Ensuring growth opportunities for our people

Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we’ve helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC—with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000+ extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.

Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.