Commissioning Manager - Ontario

COMPANY: Barton Malow Canada
POSITION TITLE: Commissioning Manager
EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Salary – Full Time
REPORTS TO: Project Manager / Senior Project Manager
LOCATION: Cambridge Office / Travel to various projects in Ontario

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW:

Barton Malow Canada is a general contractor with clients across Canada and is part of the Barton Malow family of companies. Our services include Engineer-Procure-Construct (EPC) Construction, Design-Build, Integrated Project Delivery, General Contracting, and Specialty Contracting. Our primary markets include Energy, with a focus on renewables and energy storage, Automotive, and Industrial. We self-perform several trades with an emphasis on electrical construction, including medium- and high-voltage systems. Our core purpose is Building People, Projects, and Communities, and our core values are Integrity, Partnership, and Empowerment.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Project Manager or Senior Project Manager, the Commissioning Manager leads commissioning from construction completion through testing, energization, turnover, and closeout. The role coordinates with project teams, subcontractors, vendors, clients, and utilities to ensure systems are safely tested, documented, and turned over. Initially, the role will support the Skyview BESS and Oxford BESS projects, serving as the commissioning lead from construction completion through commercial operation with the flexibility to support additional projects across Canada as the portfolio grows.

The role focuses on renewable energy and electrical infrastructure projects, including utility-scale solar, battery energy storage systems (BESS), substations, and medium- and high-voltage systems. Key activities include BESS system commissioning (battery enclosures, power conversion systems, battery and energy management systems, SCADA integration, and fire detection and suppression), cable testing, transformer energization, ground-grid verification, relay testing, and infrared scanning.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Commissioning Leadership & Planning

• Lead commissioning from construction completion through turnover.
• Develop commissioning plans, schedules, procedures, checklists, and milestones.
• Review designs to identify testing requirements, interfaces, constructability issues, and risks.
• Coordinate commissioning with project teams, vendors, and subcontractors.
• Plan resources, testing, documentation, and phased system turnover.

Testing, Energization & System Turnover

• Direct testing, energization, commissioning, and turnover for solar, BESS, substations, and related electrical infrastructure.
• Coordinate MV/HV equipment testing, specialized testing, and energization with project stakeholders.
• Confirm systems are complete, safe, and ready for testing and energization.
• Sequence commissioning with construction and project milestones.
• Resolve deficiencies and complete acceptance documentation.
• Coordinate BESS-specific commissioning, including battery enclosures, power conversion systems (PCS), battery management systems (BMS), energy management system (EMS) and SCADA integration, HVAC, and fire detection and suppression systems, in partnership with the equipment OEM.
• Coordinate grid connection requirements with the utility and system operator, including protection, metering, and telecommunications testing, Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) inspections, and performance and capacity testing required to achieve commercial operation.

Safety & Quality

• Lead safe commissioning, testing, and energization.
• Ensure compliance with safety, quality, project, electrical, utility, and procedural requirements.
• Conduct readiness reviews and maintain accurate records.
• Investigate failures and resolve system deficiencies.
• Implement BESS-specific safety practices for energized battery systems, including lockout/tagout, arc-flash controls, and emergency response planning aligned with manufacturer requirements and applicable codes and standards.

Project & Stakeholder Coordination

• Serve as the primary commissioning liaison with project stakeholders.
• Lead meetings and communicate priorities, progress, risks, and upcoming work.
• Track progress and mitigate schedule, technical, and resource issues.
• Coordinate vendor support and resolve technical or contractual issues.

Documentation & Project Closeout

• Manage commissioning, testing, and turnover documentation.
• Track deficiencies through resolution and final acceptance.
• Support operating documentation, project closeout, and lessons learned.

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS:

• Postsecondary education in electrical engineering, construction management, a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Extensive electrical construction, commissioning, startup, or project execution experience in energy, utility, industrial, or renewable sectors.
• BESS commissioning experience is strongly preferred; solar, substation, transmission/distribution, or MV/HV commissioning experience is also valued. Strong knowledge of electrical systems, drawings, specifications, testing, and commissioning.
• Working knowledge of BESS technologies (batteries, PCS, BMS, EMS/SCADA) and related fire and life-safety requirements.
• Experience coordinating MV/HV equipment testing and energization.
• Familiarity with the Ontario Electrical Safety Code, ESA requirements, and utility and IESO connection processes.
• Ability to lead commissioning teams, subcontractors, testing contractors, and vendors.
• EPC project experience is an asset.
• Strong knowledge of schedules, commissioning sequences, construction completion, and system turnover.
• Ability to interpret electrical drawings, single-line diagrams, schematics, specifications, and equipment documents.
• Strong leadership, communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Commitment to safe work practices and leadership.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and project/document management tools.
• Willingness to travel to project sites across Canada, including remote locations.

BENEFITS & COMPENSATION:

• Base salary range is $130,000 - $170,000, dependent on candidate job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
• Opportunities for skill development and advancement within the company.
• Immediate enrollment in the Company paid benefit package.
• Immediate enrollment in the Company Group RRSP program.
• Immediate eligibility to the Company vehicle allowance package.
• Eligibility to participate in the annual Short Term Incentive Compensation Program (ICP).

Equal Opportunity:

Barton Malow Canada is an equal opportunity employer, fostering diversity, inclusion and belonging within our organization. Barton Malow Canada does not discriminate based on any grounds prohibited by law, including: race, colour, national or ethnic origin, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and marital status. Barton Malow Canada invites all interested individuals to apply. Should accommodations be required for persons with disabilities during any step of the application and selection process, please contact the Human Resources department at [email protected].