Utilities Commissioning Area Lead

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Project Overview:

Bechtel is building a semiconductor manufacturing plant in New Albany, Ohio. We are partnering with the North America Building Trades Unions and suppliers to create several thousand new jobs and work with local education organizations to implement new training programs that will support the future talent pipeline. Bechtel Manufacturing & Technology, Inc. offers engineering, procurement, and construction services for customers in the semiconductor manufacturing, electric vehicle, and data center markets. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, the M&T global business unit also includes colleagues working in Arizona, Ohio, Texas, India, and additional project locations around the world.
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.

Job Summary:

The Utilities Commissioning Area Lead (Non-Fab Area Lead) serves as the commissioning authority for the central utility plant (CUP), ultrapure water (UPW) facility and wastewater treatment plant supporting a semiconductor manufacturing facility in New Albany, Ohio. The role leads systems completion, startup and operational readiness for utilities, water treatment, wastewater treatment, utility distribution and mechanical systems, making sure they are safely tested, commissioned, integrated and handed over to operations. This position leads multidisciplinary Commissioning & Startup (CSU) personnel and works closely with Engineering, Construction, Quality, Operations, equipment vendors and client representatives. The successful candidate will develop commissioning strategies, oversee system turnover, manage startup personnel, coordinate vendor activities, lead troubleshooting and ensure facilities meet every performance and acceptance requirement before handover. Experience commissioning large utility systems in semiconductor, pharmaceutical, data center, power, petrochemical or industrial facilities is welcome.

• 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.
• Utility Systems Expertise: Understands central utility plant, water treatment, wastewater, and utility distribution systems and how they interact during startup.
• Compliance: Ensures all procedures and equipment setups meet regulatory, OSHA, and environmental safety standards.
• Troubleshooting & Diagnostics: Resolves complex failures in utility equipment, controls, and integrated systems during commissioning and startup.

Major Responsibilities:

Leadership and Team Management
• Lead and supervise CSU engineers, specialists, startup operators, subcontractors, and vendor representatives within the assigned area.
• Establish priorities and execution strategies to meet turnover and startup milestones.
• Provide technical leadership, mentoring, and professional development to CSU personnel.
• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with all project EHS requirements.
• Develop collaborative relationships with Operations, Construction, Engineering, and Client teams.
Commissioning Planning
• Develop area commissioning execution plans and turnover strategies.
• Establish commissioning boundaries and systems completion requirements.
• Develop integrated commissioning schedules aligned with construction and startup milestones.
• Review design packages, specifications, control narratives, P&IDs, equipment submittals, and vendor documentation.
• Participate in constructability reviews, operational readiness reviews, HAZOPs, and design reviews.
• Develop commissioning procedures, test scripts, and acceptance criteria.
Systems Completion and Turnover
• Coordinate the transition of systems from Construction to CSU and from CSU to Operations.
• Lead system walkdowns and punch-list management activities.
• Verify mechanical completion and readiness for commissioning.
• Ensure turnover packages meet project quality requirements.
• Manage completion certificates, turnover documentation, and digital completion systems.
Commissioning and Startup Execution
• Direct commissioning activities for utility production and distribution systems.
• Lead equipment checkout, functional testing, performance testing, and integrated systems testing.
• Coordinate energization and startup sequencing activities.
• Validate system functionality against design intent and operational requirements.
• Manage startup progression from component testing through integrated plant operation.
• Lead troubleshooting efforts and resolution of technical issues during commissioning.

Major Responsibility (Cont.)

Vendor and Contractor Coordination
• Coordinate OEM startup activities and technical advisors.
• Witness Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs) and Site Acceptance Tests (SATs).
• Interface with construction contractors, trade partners, and equipment suppliers.
• Resolve commissioning-related technical issues and scope gaps.
• Support project management with progress reporting and risk mitigation.
Safety and Compliance
• Ensure compliance with all project Environmental, Safety and Health requirements.
• Support implementation of Lockout/Tagout and energy isolation programs.
• Participate in Job Hazard Analyses and pre-task planning activities.
• Verify operational safety interlocks and critical protection systems.
• Maintain compliance with applicable industry codes, standards, and operating procedures.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Requires bachelor's degree (or international equivalent) in Engineering or related discipline and 8-10 years of relevant experience in mission critical facilities or 12-14 years of relevant work experience in mission critical facilities.
• Experience commissioning large-scale utility infrastructure including central utility plants, water treatment facilities, wastewater treatment facilities, or similar critical process systems.
• Previous leadership experience managing multidisciplinary commissioning teams.
• Semiconductor, pharmaceutical, data center, advanced manufacturing, petrochemical, or industrial utility experience preferred.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

Required Qualifications
• Strong understanding of commissioning and startup processes.
• Experience managing complex utility systems with multiple interfaces and integrated control platforms.
• Advanced knowledge of chilled water, steam, process water, UPW, and wastewater treatment systems.
• Familiarity with distributed control systems (DCS), PLC-based control systems, and building automation systems.
• Experience with systems completion and digital turnover platforms.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Proven ability to lead teams in a fast-paced construction and startup environment.
• Experience developing commissioning procedures, test plans, and startup execution strategies.
• Working knowledge of applicable industry standards and regulations.
Key Success Factors
• Demonstrates visible safety leadership.
• Delivers systems on schedule while maintaining quality and operational readiness.
• Builds strong relationships across engineering, construction, operations, and client organizations.
• Drives resolution of technical issues and commissioning barriers.
• Maintains focus on safe, successful startup and operational handover.
• Leads teams through complex system integration and first-of-a-kind startup activities.

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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