Commissioning Manager - Grid & Power Systems

About AEP Global

AEP Global is a specialist commissioning and engineering consultancy delivering complex electrical commissioning, energisation, and operational readiness services across mission-critical infrastructure throughout UK and Europe.

Our expertise spans data centres, substations, power generation, renewable energy, utility infrastructure, industrial facilities and high-voltage electrical systems. We partner with leading contractors, developers and end users to safely deliver critical projects from construction through to energisation and handover.

Safety, technical excellence and quality are at the heart of everything we do.

Overview

The Commissioning Manager – Grid & Power Systems is responsible for leading the safe planning, coordination and execution of commissioning activities across high and medium voltage electrical infrastructure projects.

This role provides technical leadership throughout the commissioning lifecycle, ensuring systems are installed, tested, energised and handed over safely while maintaining compliance with project specifications, client requirements and industry standards.

The successful candidate will have extensive commissioning experience within electrical transmission, distribution, substations, power generation, renewable energy or other critical electrical infrastructure.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead all commissioning activities throughout project delivery.
• Develop and implement commissioning strategies and project execution plans.
• Manage commissioning engineers, specialist vendors and subcontractors.
• Review engineering documentation, commissioning procedures and test packs.
• Coordinate installation verification, inspection, testing and energisation activities.
• Lead switching operations in accordance with approved switching schedules and safety rules.
• Ensure compliance with permit-to-work systems, Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) procedures and electrical safety requirements.
• Manage commissioning of:
• HV and MV switchgear (AIS & GIS)
• Power transformers
• Protection and control systems
• Protection relays
• Busbars
• Cable systems
• Earthing systems
• Auxiliary AC & DC systems
• Battery systems
• SCADA and control systems
• Coordinate primary and secondary injection testing.
• Witness Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) and Site Acceptance Tests (SAT).
• Chair commissioning meetings with clients, contractors and project stakeholders.
• Identify and resolve technical issues during commissioning.
• Ensure commissioning documentation is completed accurately, including:
• Commissioning reports
• Test records
• Energisation certificates
• Punch lists
• Final handover documentation
• Promote the highest standards of health, safety and quality throughout every stage of project delivery.
• Mentor and support junior commissioning engineers.

Essential Experience

• Experience within electrical commissioning.
• Proven experience commissioning HV and MV electrical systems.
• Strong knowledge of electrical transmission and distribution infrastructure.
• Experience working on one or more of the following:
• Electrical substations
• Power generation
• Renewable energy projects
• Utility infrastructure
• Grid reinforcement projects
• Industrial power systems
• Mission-critical infrastructure
• Experience leading commissioning teams on large multidisciplinary projects.
• Experience coordinating energisation activities.
• Strong understanding of commissioning methodologies and project delivery.
• Experience managing commissioning documentation and client handover.

Technical Knowledge

A strong understanding of:

• High Voltage and Medium Voltage systems
• Electrical protection schemes
• Differential protection
• Distance protection
• Transformer protection
• Generator protection
• Protection relays
• Power transformers
• Current and Voltage Transformers (CTs & VTs)
• Circuit breakers
• GIS and AIS switchgear
• Earthing systems
• Electrical safety rules
• Switching procedures
• LOTO procedures
• Commissioning methodologies
• IEC and IEEE standards

Qualifications

Essential:

• Senior Authorised Person (SAP) / HV Authorised Person (AP).
• Recognised Electrical Apprenticeship or equivalent.
• HNC, HND or Degree in Electrical Engineering (or equivalent experience).
• ECS / CSCS / Safe Pass (where applicable).

Desirable:

• SMSTS or SSSTS.
• Primary Injection Testing certification.
• Protection Testing qualifications.
• NEBOSH or IOSH.

Personal Attributes

• Strong leadership skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.
• Highly organised with excellent planning ability.
• Calm under pressure.
• Commercial awareness.
• Excellent problem-solving capability.
• Ability to mentor and develop engineering teams.
• Committed to the highest safety standards.

 

Why Join AEP Global?

At AEP Global, you'll work on some of the most technically challenging electrical infrastructure projects across Europe.

We invest heavily in our people, providing opportunities to develop your expertise across HV commissioning, critical infrastructure and mission-critical environments while working alongside some of the industry's most experienced engineers.

Suitable Backgrounds

We welcome applications from professionals with commissioning experience in:

• National Grid
• Transmission & Distribution
• Distribution Network Operators (DNOs)
• Utilities
• Power Generation
• Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT)
• Nuclear
• Renewable Energy (Wind, Solar, BESS)
• HV/MV Substations
• Industrial Power
• EPC Contractors
• Oil & Gas Electrical Infrastructure
• Rail Electrification
• Critical Infrastructure