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What does a commissioning manager do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read

A commissioning manager executes and supervises dealings as per the commissioning deadlines and guidelines. They plan effective strategies to complete the reorganization projects using the available resources. Besides developing and managing pricing strategies needed for handling new projects, commissioning managers also help and supervise project staff members in highlighting commissioning duties. Also, commissioning managers oversee, create records, and write reports across different workforce strata. Moreover, these professionals promote the organization's standards by enhancing system results accuracy.

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Commissioning manager responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real commissioning manager resumes:

  • Create new opportunities and value for the company and successfully manage all geotechnical engineering matters including comprehensive report writing.
  • Commission the SCADA / DCS system for the site.
  • Advance technical understanding of utilities and HVAC systems.
  • Implement HVAC controls and commissioning tracking checklists and databases.
  • Design DCS interfaces for TXU/Luminant coal- & gas-fire supercritical steam electric station.
  • Program and deploy servers and switches base on customers requirements, designs, and business needs.
  • Develop HMI Siemens operator panel OP3 system and ASCCII RS232 serial programming for BEKA HMI screen interface
  • Set up the HMI (DCS) control system in conjunction with the plant electrical engineer.
  • Prepare and audit manual checks for payroll, vacation payouts, termination payments and other adjustments as needed.
  • Commission the apparatus SF6 circuit breakers, circuit switchers, transformers, CCVT, surge arrester, motor operate switches.
  • Calculate commission and bonus monthly accruals.
  • Provide customer service to employees regarding payroll issues
  • Evaluate sales contracts and entering contract information into database.
  • Modele reactors and distillation towers to ensure efficient use of energy and materials
  • Direct discipline commissioning engineers, operations supervisors, commissioning technicians, LOTO turnover coordinators.

Commissioning manager skills and personality traits

We calculated that 16% of Commissioning Managers are proficient in Project Management, Test Procedures, and Quality Standards. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Detail oriented.

We break down the percentage of Commissioning Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Project Management, 16%

    Estimate commissioning and project management proposals for new projects.

  • Test Procedures, 8%

    Write all test procedures to ensure that all vessel systems are functioning properly and up to regulations.

  • Quality Standards, 7%

    Ensured contractors met high safety and quality standards.

  • Leed, 5%

    Conducted computerized energy simulation studies and evaluated conformance in accordance with LEED Energy and Atmosphere credits and prerequisites.

  • HVAC, 4%

    Assisted in manpower scheduling for planned and emergency work for HVAC and Electrical Engineering Team.

  • OSHA, 4%

    Maintain IAQ and CIAQ standards in accordance with ASHRAE, SMACNA, OSHA, AHCA, local & State guidelines.

Most commissioning managers use their skills in "project management," "test procedures," and "quality standards" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential commissioning manager responsibilities here:

Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for a commissioning manager to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what commissioning managers do because "architectural and engineering managers evaluate information to solve problems." Additionally, a commissioning manager resume shows how commissioning managers use analytical skills: "identify, analyze, develop and document process improvements, methods and procedures and or quality standards. "

Communication skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling commissioning manager duties is communication skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "architectural and engineering managers must effectively convey information and expectations related to projects." According to a commissioning manager resume, here's how commissioning managers can utilize communication skills in their job responsibilities: "ensured effective communication between commissions, sales administration, compensation, hr, technology and finance. "

Organizational skills. A big part of what commissioning managers do relies on "organizational skills." You can see how essential it is to commissioning manager responsibilities because "architectural and engineering managers keep track of many workers, schedules, and budgets simultaneously." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical commissioning manager tasks: "provide partners with reports indicating opportunities to optimize project management resources and maximize organizational productivity. "

Math skills. Another crucial skill for a commissioning manager to carry out their responsibilities is "math skills." A big part of what commissioning managers relies on this skill, since "architectural and engineering managers use calculus and other mathematics to develop new products and processes." How this skill relates to commissioning manager duties can be seen in an example from a commissioning manager resume snippet: "ensured product quality, yield management, and cost reductions issues on lots spc, fmea, proficiency with statistics. "

All commissioning manager skills

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Compare different commissioning managers

Commissioning manager vs. Research and development director

A research and development director spearheads and oversees the research and development initiatives and projects in a company. It is their duty to set goals and guidelines, establish timelines and budgets, direct and manage different departments, liaise with internal and external parties, gather and analyze data to implement solutions against problem areas, and utilize expertise in developing strategies to optimize company operations. Moreover, as a director, it is essential to lead and encourage the workforce to reach goals, all while promoting the company's policies and regulations, creating new ones as needed.

If we compare the average commissioning manager annual salary with that of a research and development director, we find that research and development directors typically earn a $33,280 higher salary than commissioning managers make annually.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between commissioning managers and research and development directors are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like project management, quality standards, and direct reports.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, commissioning manager responsibilities require skills like "test procedures," "leed," "hvac," and "osha." Meanwhile a typical research and development director has skills in areas such as "r," "product development," "fda," and "oversight." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Research and development directors really shine in the finance industry with an average salary of $167,250. Comparatively, commissioning managers tend to make the most money in the utilities industry with an average salary of $117,125.On average, research and development directors reach higher levels of education than commissioning managers. Research and development directors are 7.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 11.4% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Commissioning manager vs. Vice president of engineering

A Vice President Of Engineering manages all aspects of the company's engineering product development activities. They are responsible for strategic planning, production designing, quality assurance, and problem resolution.

On average, vice presidents of engineering earn a $45,987 higher salary than commissioning managers a year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Commissioning managers and vice presidents of engineering both require similar skills like "project management," "hvac," and "direct reports" to carry out their responsibilities.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that commissioning manager responsibilities requires skills like "test procedures," "quality standards," "leed," and "osha." But a vice president of engineering might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "architecture," "cloud," "infrastructure," and "java."

On average, vice presidents of engineering earn a higher salary than commissioning managers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, vice presidents of engineering earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $141,200. Whereas commissioning managers have higher pay in the utilities industry, with an average salary of $117,125.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Vice presidents of engineering tend to reach higher levels of education than commissioning managers. In fact, they're 7.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 11.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Commissioning manager vs. Engineering supervisor

An engineering supervisor is responsible for monitoring the engineering operations of an organization, developing strategic processes and techniques to improve staff's performance, and facilitating training and programs to maximize productivity. Engineering supervisors evaluate technology procedures and reports to identify and design new opportunities that would generate more resources for revenues and profits. They also meet with clients and handle their business requirements and specifications, informing them of other services that the company offers. An engineering supervisor resolves project complaints and implements business plans to achieve high-quality deliverables.

On average, engineering supervisors earn lower salaries than commissioning managers, with a $7,129 difference per year.commissioning managers and engineering supervisors both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "project management," "hvac," and "osha," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a commissioning manager is likely to be skilled in "test procedures," "quality standards," "leed," and "oil gas," while a typical engineering supervisor is skilled in "plumbing," "preventive maintenance," "customer service," and "continuous improvement."

Engineering supervisors make a very good living in the automotive industry with an average annual salary of $114,222. On the other hand, commissioning managers are paid the highest salary in the utilities industry, with average annual pay of $117,125.When it comes to education, engineering supervisors tend to earn similar degree levels compared to commissioning managers. In fact, they're 0.6% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Commissioning manager vs. Engineering director

An engineering director or director of engineering is an individual who manages a team of engineering managers and coordinates all the engineering activities within the organization. Engineering directors work closely with the organization's executives to develop new strategies to reduce unnecessary costs and time to complete their projects. They must understand and interpret complex sets of data such as profits, losses, or value of liabilities to identify problems and come up with solutions. Engineering directors must also ensure that safety protocols are implemented in the workforce.

Engineering directors average a higher salary than the annual salary of commissioning managers. The difference is about $57,588 per year.While both commissioning managers and engineering directors complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like project management, hvac, and osha, the two careers vary in some skills.

Even though a few skill sets overlap between commissioning managers and engineering directors, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a commissioning manager might have more use for skills like "test procedures," "quality standards," "leed," and "oil gas." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of engineering directors require skills like "java," "architecture," "infrastructure," and "aws. "

The technology industry tends to pay the highest salaries for engineering directors, with average annual pay of $164,120. Comparatively, the highest commissioning manager annual salary comes from the utilities industry.In general, engineering directors hold higher degree levels compared to commissioning managers. Engineering directors are 7.6% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 1.9% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of commissioning manager

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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