Commissioning & Startup Manager

Company: System One
Location: San Francisco
Posted on: April 27, 2025

Job Description:

Commissioning & Startup Manager

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Location: Site-Based - Travel Required (Domestic & International)
Compensation: $185,000 - $225,000/year (DOE) + Comprehensive Benefits Package

About the Role

We are seeking a highly experienced Commissioning & Startup Manager to lead field execution for a large-scale ($2.2B) infrastructure project, currently focused on a wastewater treatment plant with future opportunities in municipal and industrial sectors. This is an on-site leadership role overseeing a multidisciplinary team (-30 personnel via dotted-line reporting), with direct accountability for startup strategy, controls systems integration (I&C, SCADA), and successful plant turnover.

The ideal candidate brings 15+ years of field experience, particularly in large capital infrastructure projects, and demonstrates a strong command of commissioning strategies, safety compliance, team development, and systems integration.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the commissioning and startup lifecycle of complex municipal or industrial plant systems, ensuring seamless integration with engineering, construction, and operations teams.


Oversee a cross-functional team of startup engineers and technicians; provide hands-on leadership, mentoring, and performance management.


Develop and execute commissioning strategies, schedules, and budgets aligned with project timelines and regulatory requirements.


Coordinate startup sequencing and documentation for plant-wide systems including instrumentation, controls (I&C), and SCADA platforms.


Collaborate with clients, vendors, and subcontractors to ensure startup milestones and quality benchmarks are achieved.


Champion site-wide Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) performance during commissioning activities.


Lead development and delivery of training materials for O&M personnel; support transition to full operational readiness.


Document and manage commissioning data, system verifications, and operational feedback for integration into O&M manuals and as-built records.


Stay informed on industry advancements and technologies, contributing to continuous improvement and internal knowledge sharing.



Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related technical field.


15+ years of experience in commissioning/startup or plant operations in wastewater, energy, or heavy industrial environments.


5+ years of leadership experience, preferably on $1B+ infrastructure projects.


Direct experience with SCADA, instrumentation & controls (I&C), and system-level integrations.


Strong knowledge of P&IDs, technical drawings, and asset management systems (e.g., Maximo).


Demonstrated experience in 100+ MGD treatment facilities or similarly scaled industrial plants.


Proficient in Microsoft Office, Smartsheet, Bluebeam, and SharePoint.



Benefits

100% company-paid life, AD&D, short/long-term disability, and EAP


Competitive medical, dental, and vision insurance options


Flexible Time Off (FTO) + Paid Sick Leave


Paid Parental Leave and 10 Paid Holidays


401(k) with 4% company match


Voluntary insurance options (accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity)


Employee Referral Program





Ref: #236-Eng Pasadena

Keywords: System One, Palo Alto , Commissioning & Startup Manager, Executive , San Francisco, California