Lead Life Safety Systems Commissioning Engineer

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Project Overview:

Bechtel Manufacturing and Technology (M&T) is an exciting and growing business that serves the increasing demand of EPC services for customers in the Data Centers, Semiconductor, Pharmaceutical and Electric Vehicle (batteries, charging infrastructure, and production), markets.
M&T strives to exceed our customer objectives through utilizing our agility, innovative technologies, and world class talent. M&T will solve the industries toughest challenges, building both our company and the world for the future.
Headquartered in the U.S. with employees in various states, M&T also has colleagues in the United Kingdom, India, and other locations while we actively pursue exciting opportunities in other parts of the world. We are looking for talented people to join our team that are passionate about making a difference and contributing to historical projects that will have a lasting impact on society.

Job Summary:

The Lead Life Safety Systems Commissioning Engineer is the senior technical authority and discipline lead for commissioning fire alarm, fire detection, fire suppression, smoke control, emergency communications, hazardous gas detection, CCTV and access control systems on a large, mission-critical semiconductor manufacturing project. The role plans, coordinates, validates and leads acceptance testing of life safety systems to NFPA codes, AHJ requirements, project specifications and operational objectives. Acting as the primary on-site technical lead, this position works closely with engineering, construction, operations, vendors, commissioning teams and Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) to develop and run testing and validation programs. The engineer leads system turnover, integrated systems testing, regulatory inspections and operational readiness so every life safety system is functional, code-compliant, documented and ready for safe occupancy. NICET certification and experience from data centers, life sciences, healthcare, high-rise or other complex facilities are highly valued.

• Collaborate: Actively seeks out others’ opinions and input and is open-minded to their views. Challenges others appropriately and is also open to being challenged on their own views.
• Communicate: Is effective at adapting their communication style appropriately to their audience, providing context and using the right tone and level of information.
• Customer Focus: Prioritizes the customer needs and puts these at the forefront of all interactions. Ensures that others within their team maintain this same approach.
• Deliver: Demonstrates making well thought out, timely decisions and prioritization that leads to successful outcomes. Includes the right people at the right time.
• Problem Solve: Accurately assesses a situation to find the best solution or way of working to resolve the issues. It is focused on creating a long term fix rather than a short-term solution.
• Role Model: Contributes to the Bechtel culture by inspiring and motivating others through their positive approach and attitude. Comes to work determined to do a good job, for themselves and for their team.
• Code Knowledge: Applies NFPA codes and AHJ requirements to the testing, inspection, and acceptance of fire and life safety systems.
• Compliance: Ensures all procedures and equipment setups meet regulatory, OSHA, and environmental safety standards.
• Troubleshooting & Diagnostics: Resolves complex failures across fire alarm, suppression, gas detection, and integrated life safety interfaces.

Major Responsibilities:

• Leading commissioning activities for fire and life safety systems from construction completion through startup and handover.
• Developing commissioning plans, test procedures, integrated systems testing protocols, and acceptance criteria.
• Managing functional performance testing of fire alarm, clean agent suppression, sprinkler, foam, smoke control, emergency communication, hazardous gas detection, and related systems.
• Coordinating with contractors, vendors, design teams, operations personnel, and AHJs to resolve deficiencies and achieve system acceptance.
• Verifying compliance with applicable NFPA standards, International Building Code (IBC), International Fire Code (IFC), local regulations, and client-specific requirements.
• Supporting integrated systems testing to validate interactions between fire protection, building management, process safety, HVAC, emergency power, and control systems.
• Reviewing design documents, submittals, sequence of operations, and test results to ensure alignment with project requirements and operational intent.
• Ensuring complete turnover documentation, test records, deficiency tracking, and final acceptance documentation are maintained and delivered.
• Develop and maintain commissioning schedules, checklists, and test procedures.
• Witness factory acceptance tests (FATs) and site acceptance tests (SATs) as required
• Develop and implement commissioning plans, test scripts, and acceptance criteria in alignment with project requirements
• Review and interpret drawings, P&ID diagrams, control schematics, and project specifications
• Coordinate with engineering, construction, QA/QC, and operations teams to ensure a seamless transition from construction to operations.
• Perform functional testing, performance verification, and troubleshooting of Control Systems to ensure compliance with NFPA, NEC, IEEE, and project specifications.
• Coordinate with Commissioning Team, Design Engineers, Construction teams, vendors, and owner representatives to resolve technical issues.
• Scoping project drawings
• Supports reviews of performance curves, metrics, trackers, and feedback to show trends, and use in improvements.
• Coordinate contractors, subcontractors, and vendors during testing and commissioning activities.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Requires bachelor's degree (or international equivalent) and 8-10 years of relevant experience or 12-14 years of relevant work experience

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree in Fire Protection Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Construction Management.
• 3–8+ years of hands-on U.S. experience in fire construction, building life safety systems, or semiconductor facility management.
• Codes, Standards, and Regulations:
• NFPA 72 (Fire Alarm), NFPA 13 (Sprinklers), NFPA 20 (Fire Pumps), NFPA 25 (Inspection & Testing), NFPA 70 (NEC) & NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code).
• Semiconductor-specific fire code requirements for Group H-5 occupancies.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Fire Alarm Systems (FAS)
• Fire Suppression Systems (Wet Pipe, Pre-Action, Deluge, Clean Agent)
• Smoke Detection and Smoke Control Systems
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills for coordination with engineering, operations, and client teams.
• Experience with Commissioning Software (Smart Completions) and/or Digital Software.
• Experience in Commissioning or a technical consulting field such as facility design, engineering, construction management or related area.
• Proven leadership and supervisory skills with a focus on mentorship and accountability.
• Emergency Power Interfaces.
• Mass Notification Systems.
• Hazardous Gas Monitoring Systems (HGMS).
• Emergency Shutdown Systems (ESD).
• Identifies owner’s goals, needs, and expectations for building operation and function; identifies the Commissioning responsibilities.
• Leadership or Supervisory experience, ideally leading a Construction Automation Team on a Bechtel jobsite.
• Experience with or exposure to Hexagon’s Smart Completions Software.
• Familiarity with semiconductor facility standards and critical power.
• Demonstrated background working with multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated time management and organization skills to meet deadlines and quality objectives.
• Occupancy Evacuation and Emergency Response Systems.
• Understand and have knowledge of Clean Rooms.
• Toxic, corrosive, pyrophoric, and flammable gas systems.
• HPM (Hazardous Production Material) requirement.

Total Rewards/Benefits:

For decades, Bechtel has worked to inspire the next generation of employees and beyond! Because our teams face some of the world's toughest challenges, we offer robust benefits to ensure our people thrive. Whether it is advancing careers, delivering programs to enhance our culture, or providing time to recharge, Bechtel has the benefits to build a legacy of sustainable growth. Learn more at Bechtel Total Rewards

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