Director, Commissioning

Overview Position Overview Suffolk is seeking a Commissioning Director to lead the expansion of commissioning services across the Southeast United States. This role provides an opportunity for an experienced commissioning leader to build and lead a regional commissioning practice while delivering commissioning services for complex, high-performance buildings. The Commissioning Director will work closely with Suffolk’s national commissioning leadership to deliver commissioning services across a portfolio of projects including: Life sciences and laboratory facilities Healthcare facilities Higher education buildings Large-scale commercial developments Unlike traditional commissioning consulting roles, this position integrates commissioning leadership directly into construction delivery and high-performance building implementation, enabling commissioning strategies to influence design, construction, and operational performance. The role combines technical commissioning leadership, regional practice development, and client engagement. Responsibilities Core Responsibilities 1. Regional Commissioning Practice Leadership Lead commissioning services across Suffolk’s Eastern Region offices. Establish regional commissioning practices aligned with Suffolk’s national commissioning standards. Build and grow a regional commissioning team, including commissioning managers and engineers. Refine commissioning methodologies and best practices that support complex project delivery. 2. Technical Commissioning Leadership Serve as the commissioning lead for complex building projects in one of the following capacities: Commissioning Manager supporting Suffolk project delivery Third-Party Commissioning Authority (CxA) Responsibilities include: Design Phase Commissioning Review Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR) and Basis of Design (BOD) documentation. Conduct design reviews focused on system performance, constructability, and controls integration. Provide technical recommendations related to building performance and operational reliability. Construction Phase Commissioning Review submittals, installation documentation, start-up reports, and prefunctional checklists. Coordinate commissioning activities with contractors, engineers, and owners. Conduct site visits to verify installation readiness and system performance. Functional Performance Testing Lead or witness functional performance testing of building systems, including: HVAC systems Electrical power distribution systems Emergency and standby power systems Building automation systems Life safety systems Renewable energy systems Identify deficiencies and support corrective actions to achieve design performance objectives. 3. High-Performance Building Delivery Support commissioning strategies for high-performance buildings and decarbonization initiatives. Verify building system performance relative to energy-efficiency and operational objectives. Provide technical insight into building performance optimization and operational reliability. 4. Client Engagement and Industry Leadership Serve as a trusted technical advisor to owners. Communicate commissioning strategies, findings, and recommendations to project stakeholders. Participate in proposal development and client pursuits for commissioning services. Represent Suffolk’s commissioning services in industry forums and professional organizations. 5. Team Leadership and Mentorship Manage and mentor commissioning managers and engineers. Support the recruiting and onboarding of commissioning professionals. Provide technical guidance and professional development opportunities for staff. Promote technical excellence and collaboration across project teams. 6. Digital Commissioning and Performance Verification Implement digital commissioning workflows. Utilize monitoring and data acquisition tools to validate system performance. Support the development of data-driven commissioning processes and building performance analytics. Qualifications Education Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Architectural Engineering, or a related engineering discipline from an ABET-accredited program. Experience Minimum of 12–15 years of experience in building systems commissioning, building engineering, or a related field. Demonstrated experience leading commissioning teams on complex projects. Preferred project experience includes: Laboratories and life sciences facilities Healthcare facilities Higher education facilities Central utility plants and district energy systems Professional Certifications Preferred Certified Commissioning Professional (CCP) Commissioning Authority (CxA) certification Certified Energy Manager (CEM) Professional Engineer (PE) license Technical Expertise Strong knowledge of commissioning processes and building systems, including: Mechanical Systems Air-handling systems Chilled water and heating systems Heat pump systems Laboratory HVAC systems Central utility plants Electrical Systems Power distribution systems Emergency power and generator systems Uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems Electrical acceptance testing Controls Building automation systems (BAS) Sequence-of-operations verification System integration and performance optimization Commissioning Standards Expertise Familiarity with commissioning standards and industry best practices, including: ASHRAE commissioning standards, including ASHRAE Guideline 0 and ASHRAE Standard 202 Building Commissioning Association commissioning guidelines National Electrical Testing Association electrical testing standards National Environmental Balancing Bureau testing, adjusting, and balancing procedures Professional Competencies Strong technical problem-solving skills and expertise in building systems. 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