What does a commissioning engineer do?
A commissioning engineer is responsible for supporting engineering and technical projects by analyzing designs and identifying resources within budget limitations and timetables. Commissioning engineers monitor the project cycle and help the team on writing down progress observations, performing diagnostic tests, creating instructional manuals and resolutions, and ensuring healthy and productive business relationships with clients. They also coordinate with the team to suggest adjustment plans and implementing essential guidelines that would fit the market standards to attract potential clients for future profitability.
Commissioning engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real commissioning engineer resumes:
- Lead subcontractors in the testing and troubleshooting of telemetry, hydraulic and SCADA systems before final hand-over.
- Develop database to manage project scheduling and man-hour tracking.
- Manage Jenkins security by providing specific access to authorize developers/testers using project base matrix authorization strategy.
- Enforce the NEC, OSHA, UL, IEEE, and other industry standards.
- Scheme check for GIS LCC panel.
- Scheme checking from control panel end.
- Perform MEP commissioning field and office assignments.
- Bus bar contact resistance for 13.8kV switchgear.
- Generate and update instrument index in SPI.
- Train operators on LNG safety and plant operations.
- Test run of the IGBT base drives used in traction application.
- Perform a point-by-point checkout of all SCADA points to appropriate control center.
- Work with QA to insure proper commissioning and follow good engineering practice guidelines.
- Experience knowledge with applicable API, ASME, and OSHA codes and standards.
- Develop procedures for SOX compliance and prepare responses for audit and statutory requests.
Commissioning engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 18% of Commissioning Engineers are proficient in HVAC, Test Procedures, and MEP. They’re also known for soft skills such as Listening skills, Mechanical skills, and Creativity.
We break down the percentage of Commissioning Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- HVAC, 18%
Required to document facility HVAC condition and any efficiency or performance issues.
- Test Procedures, 10%
Review vendor document and incorporate vendor testing procedures to operational test procedures.
- MEP, 7%
Observe critical MEP and multimedia operation.
- Electrical Equipment, 6%
Ensured all electrical equipment (MCC) in the new e-house complied with drawing and electrical specification.
- Plumbing, 6%
Performed all aspects of hospitality maintenance which included plumbing, electrical and air conditioning
- Mechanical Systems, 6%
Coordinate and supervise mechanical and electrical construction as well as test, troubleshoot and repair electrical/mechanical systems.
"hvac," "test procedures," and "mep" are among the most common skills that commissioning engineers use at work. You can find even more commissioning engineer responsibilities below, including:
Listening skills. One of the key soft skills for a commissioning engineer to have is listening skills. You can see how this relates to what commissioning engineers do because "mechanical engineers often work on projects with others, such as architects and computer scientists." Additionally, a commissioning engineer resume shows how commissioning engineers use listening skills: "communicated with equipment vendors and technical advisors to resolve complex issues concerning new technology and upgrades of equipment. "
Mechanical skills. Another essential skill to perform commissioning engineer duties is mechanical skills. Commissioning engineers responsibilities require that "mechanical skills allow engineers to apply basic engineering concepts and mechanical processes to the design of new devices and systems." Commissioning engineers also use mechanical skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "contracted to first energy lead mechanical commissioning(nights) engineer/steam turbine commissioning engineer. "
Creativity. This is an important skill for commissioning engineers to perform their duties. For an example of how commissioning engineer responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "mechanical engineers design and build complex pieces of equipment and machinery." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a commissioning engineer: "monitor on-off site tape rotations and inventory, and monitor procedures for compliance with disaster recovery program. ".
Problem-solving skills. For certain commissioning engineer responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "problem-solving skills." The day-to-day duties of a commissioning engineer rely on this skill, as "mechanical engineers need good problem-solving skills to take scientific principles and discoveries and use them to design and build useful products." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what commissioning engineers do: "analyzed and resolved technical field problems and provided technical support to customers. "
Math skills. Another crucial skill for a commissioning engineer to carry out their responsibilities is "math skills." A big part of what commissioning engineers relies on this skill, since "mechanical engineers use the principles of calculus, statistics, and other advanced subjects in math for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work." How this skill relates to commissioning engineer duties can be seen in an example from a commissioning engineer resume snippet: "satellite signal and coordinate transform math, modeling for position and velocity. "
The three companies that hire the most commissioning engineers are:
- Affiliated Engineers20 commissioning engineers jobs
- Amazon19 commissioning engineers jobs
- Burns & McDonnell18 commissioning engineers jobs
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Compare different commissioning engineers
Commissioning engineer vs. Staff engineer
Staff engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and inspecting various products, equipment, or structures. These professionals may perform varied duties depending on their specialization that includes overseeing the design and construction of buildings, bridges, sewer systems, and other infrastructure, estimating the financial costs of construction projects, and ensuring compliance with health and safety laws and regulations. Other duties include designing and developing machinery, tools, and engines, solving design problems, and building the manufacturing equipment needed to create their products.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between commissioning engineers and staff engineer. For instance, commissioning engineer responsibilities require skills such as "mep," "electrical equipment," "plumbing," and "mechanical systems." Whereas a staff engineer is skilled in "python," "architecture," "software development," and "project management." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Staff engineers tend to make the most money working in the telecommunication industry, where they earn an average salary of $119,079. In contrast, commissioning engineers make the biggest average salary, $107,251, in the energy industry.staff engineers tend to reach similar levels of education than commissioning engineers. In fact, staff engineers are 4.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 3.0% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Commissioning engineer vs. Research engineer
Research Engineers are responsible for a wide range of duties, including researching and developing new technologies and prototypes, and finding solutions to improve techniques, procedures, and technologies.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, commissioning engineer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "hvac," "mep," "electrical equipment," and "plumbing." Meanwhile, a research engineer has duties that require skills in areas such as "python," "c #," "software development," and "c." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Research engineers may earn a lower salary than commissioning engineers, but research engineers earn the most pay in the start-up industry with an average salary of $141,240. On the other hand, commissioning engineers receive higher pay in the energy industry, where they earn an average salary of $107,251.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Research engineers tend to reach higher levels of education than commissioning engineers. In fact, they're 11.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 3.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Commissioning engineer vs. Lead engineer
A lead engineer's duties vary on their line of work or industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities will revolve around overseeing the progress of operations and performance of the workforce, ensuring that everything is running smoothly. They are also responsible for addressing issues and concerns, assessing risks, monitoring the budget, coordinating with clients and architects, and even training workers. Furthermore, as a lead engineer, it is crucial to conduct regular inspections to ensure the quality of work and maintain a safe environment for all workers.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, commissioning engineers are more likely to have skills like "mep," "electrical equipment," "mechanical systems," and "energy efficiency." But a lead engineer is more likely to have skills like "python," "architecture," "c++," and "c #."
Lead engineers earn the best pay in the automotive industry, where they command an average salary of $110,872. Commissioning engineers earn the highest pay from the energy industry, with an average salary of $107,251.When it comes to education, lead engineers tend to earn higher degree levels compared to commissioning engineers. In fact, they're 6.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.4% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Commissioning engineer vs. Service engineer
A service engineer is responsible for assisting the customers' concerns regarding the products and services offered by the company through technical support solutions. Service engineers conduct preventive maintenance, upgrade systems to boost optimal performance, create product manuals, record the occurring issues, perform adjustments on the systems infrastructure, identify business opportunities to generate more revenues, and analyze current market trends to meet client demands. A service engineer must have excellent communication skills, including extensive knowledge of the technology industry and network systems.
Types of commissioning engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
