Commissioning Manager

Commissioning & Start-Up Manager – Semiconductor / High-Tech Manufacturing

Location: Clay, NY

Employment Type: Contract

Work Arrangement: On-site / Project-Based + Per Diems

Industry: Semiconductor / Advanced Manufacturing

Position Overview

PTS Advance is seeking an experienced Commissioning & Start-Up (CSU) Manager to support a large-scale semiconductor manufacturing facility in Clay, New York.

This is a highly visible leadership role supporting the transition of a major advanced manufacturing project from construction through commissioning, start-up, system turnover, and operational readiness.

The CSU Manager will own the overall commissioning strategy and coordinate multi-discipline execution across construction, engineering, project controls, operations, and client stakeholders. This individual will be responsible for ensuring facility systems are safely commissioned, tested, documented, and turned over in accordance with project requirements and readiness milestones.

The ideal candidate will bring significant commissioning leadership experience from semiconductor, advanced manufacturing, cleanroom, data center, mission-critical, pharmaceutical, or similarly complex facilities.

Key Responsibilities

Commissioning Strategy & Planning

• Develop and lead the overall commissioning and start-up execution strategy.
• Establish commissioning sequences, systemization plans, turnover packages, and readiness criteria.
• Integrate commissioning requirements into the overall project execution strategy.
• Develop phased system and facility readiness plans to support progressive equipment and tool installation.
• Define commissioning priorities based on construction sequencing, system dependencies, and operational requirements.
• Establish clear turnover milestones from construction completion through final operational acceptance.

Schedule & Project Integration

• Partner closely with Construction and Project Controls to integrate commissioning activities into the master project schedule.
• Coordinate construction completion, pre-commissioning, commissioning, start-up, and turnover activities.
• Identify system dependencies and potential constraints that could impact commissioning or facility start-up.
• Drive system readiness milestones and turnover gates.
• Monitor CSU progress against schedule and proactively address risks, delays, and resource constraints.
• Coordinate commissioning priorities across multiple disciplines and workstreams.

Commissioning & Start-Up Execution

• Lead commissioning, start-up, testing, and performance verification of facility systems.
• Oversee development and execution of commissioning test plans, procedures, checklists, and validation protocols.
• Coordinate multi-discipline commissioning activities across mechanical, electrical, controls, HVAC, and process utility systems.
• Lead troubleshooting and resolution of system deficiencies identified during commissioning.
• Support system turndown, stability testing, initial loading, and operational verification.
• Ensure systems meet design intent, performance requirements, and client acceptance criteria.
• Drive completion of punch-list and commissioning deficiencies through final resolution.

System Turnover & Operational Readiness

• Lead system completion and turnover from construction through commissioning and into operations.
• Ensure required commissioning documentation, testing records, and turnover packages are complete and accurate.
• Coordinate system acceptance with client and operational stakeholders.
• Support facility ramp-up and stabilization following initial start-up.
• Ensure facility infrastructure is ready to support equipment installation and manufacturing operations.

Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Serve as the primary commissioning interface between project leadership, engineering, construction, project controls, operations, vendors, and the client.
• Lead and coordinate multi-discipline commissioning teams.
• Provide technical and execution leadership throughout all phases of CSU.
• Build strong relationships with client stakeholders and maintain alignment around commissioning priorities and acceptance requirements.
• Mentor commissioning personnel and establish accountability across the CSU organization.
• Promote a strong safety culture throughout commissioning and start-up activities.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant experience in commissioning, start-up, engineering, construction, or operations within complex industrial or mission-critical facilities.
• Demonstrated experience leading commissioning and start-up activities on large-scale capital projects.
• Strong understanding of the transition from construction completion through system turnover, commissioning, start-up, and operational acceptance.
• Experience coordinating multi-discipline facility systems including several of the following:
• HVAC and mechanical systems
• Electrical power distribution
• Building and process controls
• Process utilities
• Cleanroom systems
• Life safety and supporting facility infrastructure
• Strong understanding of systemization, system completion, turnover planning, and commissioning documentation.
• Experience integrating commissioning activities with construction and project schedules.
• Ability to identify and manage system interdependencies across complex facilities.
• Strong troubleshooting, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and coordinate across engineering, construction, operations, and client organizations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Background

• Semiconductor fabrication facility commissioning experience strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting semiconductor, advanced manufacturing, cleanroom, pharmaceutical, data center, mission-critical, battery manufacturing, or other high-tech facilities.
• Knowledge of semiconductor facility infrastructure and fab support systems.
• Experience with cleanroom commissioning and operational readiness.
• Knowledge of ASHRAE guidelines and standards.
• Experience with large-scale EPC or design-build projects.
• Previous responsibility for an integrated CSU schedule and phased system turnover.
• Experience leading commissioning organizations through facility ramp-up and stabilization.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Construction Management, or a related technical discipline preferred.
• Equivalent combinations of technical education and significant commissioning/start-up experience may also be considered.

The Opportunity

This position offers the opportunity to play a key leadership role on a large-scale, technically complex semiconductor manufacturing project, taking critical facility systems from construction completion through commissioning, start-up, and operational readiness.

Candidates with significant commissioning leadership experience in semiconductor or other highly complex mission-critical environments are encouraged to apply.