🔧 We’re hiring: Commissioning Lead – Large Capital R&D Facility Delivery
Are you an experienced commissioning professional who thrives in highly technical, multi‑system environments? This is an exciting opportunity to lead the commissioning of a brand‑new state‑of‑the‑art Labs & R&D facility — ensuring the transition from construction to fully operational scientific use is seamless, safe, and successful.
In this role, you’ll oversee all commissioning activities across MEP systems, building automation, specialist laboratory infrastructure, process utilities, life safety systems, and more. You’ll act as the bridge between construction teams, designers, specialist vendors, and end users — ensuring every system performs to design intent and user requirements.
✨ What You’ll Lead
- Develop and own the Commissioning Strategy, Commissioning Plan, and the Master Commissioning Schedule.
- Define commissioning scope, methodologies, success criteria, and documentation standards.
- Coordinate multiple commissioning groups across contractor organisations.
- Oversee commissioning activities for:
- MEP systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing)
- BMS/EMS
- Specialist lab systems (fume cupboards, containment, gases, LEVs)
- Process utilities & environmental controls
- Fire and life safety systems
- Ensure systems are installation‑verified and commissioning‑ready.
- Lead functional testing, performance testing, and integrated systems testing (IST).
- Work hand‑in‑hand with Operational Readiness to align start‑up and handover plans.
📋 Quality, Safety & Compliance
- Ensure all testing documentation is produced, reviewed, and approved (PFCs, functional tests, reports, O&Ms, as‑builts).
- Verify system performance against design and user requirements.
- Track, manage, and close punch‑list items.
- Lead safe execution of commissioning activities, including LOTO coordination and energisation risk reviews.
🤝 Stakeholder & Team Leadership
- Act as the commissioning interface with Operations, FM, HSE, IT, and laboratory users.
- Lead commissioning meetings and technical workshops.
- Support training and knowledge transfer to operational teams.
- Provide clear progress reporting to senior leadership.
🏁 Handover & Readiness
- Deliver a facility that is stable, reliable, and ready for occupation.
- Lead the final acceptance process and commissioning close‑out.
- Support early-life operational tuning and post‑occupancy improvements.
💼 What You Bring
Essential experience:
- Proven background as a Commissioning Lead/Manager on complex, highly serviced projects.
- Experience commissioning laboratories, R&D facilities, or technical environments.
- Strong understanding of building services, automation controls, and specialist lab systems.
- Ability to interpret technical drawings and commissioning protocols.
- Excellent leadership, stakeholder management, and communication skills.
- Strong organisational and planning capability.
Desirable:
- Degree/HND in engineering or building services.
- Experience with IST, containment standards, and lab ventilation guidelines.
- Familiarity with digital commissioning tools and BIM workflows.
- Previous involvement in operational readiness and handover programmes.
🌍 Why This Role Matters
You’ll be bringing a cutting‑edge research environment to life — ensuring scientists, engineers, and innovators can move in and start working safely, efficiently, and confidently from day one.
- This is a key role in a high‑profile, future‑focused capital programme.
Planet Pharma is an equals opportunities Recruitment Business and Agency. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age.