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Day in the Life of a Commissioning Engineer

Christopher Hutchinson our consultant managing the role
Published on 3 November 2023

Commissioning is a methodical, documented process to ensure that facilities, systems, and equipment meet established design requirements and stakeholder expectations. The commissioning process verifies the following: what was specified was installed; that it functions properly; and that it was successfully turned over to the user.

So, what is a commissioning engineer? Commissioning engineers, also known as engineers or CQV engineers, main role is to inspect the equipment, facilities and any other aspect of an engineering project to ensure that it has been designed and installed correctly. To do so, they will frequently create reports, assist with technical issues, conduct testing procedures, and oversee the entire life cycle of the project. Commissioning engineers work in industries wherever engineering projects are involved. Here at QCS Staffing, we currently recruit commissioning engineers for three industries: renewable energy, life science, and data centre & IT.

The engineering services market is growing and expected to register a CAGR of 8% during the forecast period, 2021 - 2026. This is, therefore, the perfect time to kickstart your career as a commissioning engineer! 

Schedule

The work schedule of a Commissioning Engineer can vary, but it often follows a standard 40-hour workweek. However, during critical project phases, longer hours and occasional weekend work might be necessary to meet deadlines. The role may also involve travel to different project and/or supplier sites for engineering reviews, FATs (factory acceptance testing) etc, which can be domestic or international, depending on the company's reach.

 

Day to Day Duties

Commissioning engineers play a vital role in the construction and operation of complex systems, ensuring that everything functions smoothly before they go into service. Their work spans various industries, including manufacturing, energy, and construction.

 

Site Safety and Briefing:

Commissioning engineers prioritise safety upon arriving at the project site. They ensure they have the required personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow site-specific safety protocols. Before starting their tasks, they typically participate in a crucial morning briefing with the project team. This meeting serves to align everyone, ensuring that all team members understand the day's goals and safety measures, emphasizing a commitment to a safe work environment.

 

System Assessment and Documentation:

Commissioning engineers also assess project plans, specifications, and client requirements. They thoroughly review project documentation to gain a clear understanding of the project's scope and objectives, ensuring they are well-prepared for the commissioning process.

 

Equipment Inspection, Testing, and Troubleshooting:

Commissioning engineers conduct a comprehensive inspection of machinery, instrumentation, and systems to verify proper installation and compliance with quality standards. They follow this with functional tests to ensure that individual components or subsystems operate as intended. After confirming individual component functionality, engineers proceed to integration testing to ensure seamless coordination within the larger system.

 Troubleshooting and issue resolution include load testing to assess system performance under varying conditions, evaluating system efficiency for optimisation opportunities, and promptly identifying and resolving any problems or discrepancies.

Effective collaboration and communication with other engineering and project teams are essential throughout this process to ensure a successful commissioning outcome. Safety compliance and communication play a significant role, with commissioning engineers meticulously documenting the entire process through detailed reports and ensuring that the systems they commission adhere to safety regulations and standards, thereby promoting a secure work environment.

 

Requirements for the roles

Commissioning engineers typically hold a bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field. This educational foundation equips them with the necessary knowledge to excel in their role. Experience requirements can vary depending on the role; however, commissioning experience is always highly beneficial for every role. There are also many soft skills which are important for a commissioning engineer like: problem solving, communication, documentation, project management, computer skills, regulatory knowledge, adaptability, teamwork, and quality assurance skills.

 

Salaries

The salary of a Commissioning Engineer in the life science industry can vary based on experience, location, and company size. On average, engineers who are FTE’s can earn a salary of £36k, with the potential for higher earnings as experience and expertise increase. For those Commissioning Engineers who choose to go freelance contracting, then they can earn significantly more. 


Employment Opportunities

The demand for commissioning engineers is on the rise, with opportunities in industries like construction, manufacturing, energy, and more. This demand is driven by a growing need for efficiency, quality, and safety in industrial processes.

 

Find your next Commissioning Engineer job with QCS Staffing

At QCS Staffing, we are specialists in uniting people with life changing industries like Life Sciences, Renewable Energy, and Data Centres and IT. All these industries require Commissioning Engineers, so if this is a role or industry that interests you, get in touch with us today!

Take the next step in your career and browse our latest vacancies Commissioning, Qualification and Validation vacancies. If you can't find the role looking for, sign up for jobalerts and take advantage of our latest opportunities.