Electrical Lead Commissioning
Usa
Fulltime: 50 hrs a week
Experience: > 10 Years
Mining
Introduction
What are you going to do
Our client is seeking an experienced Electrical Lead to plan, coordinate, and execute electrical pre-commissioning and commissioning activities for a major Tailings Storage Facility project in Bagdad, Arizona. Reporting to the Commissioning Manager, this position will lead the safe and timely testing, energization, startup, and handover of critical electrical systems.
The role covers medium- and low-voltage systems, substations, switchgear, transformers, motor control centers, power-distribution networks, backup power, and electrical protection systems. The successful candidate will combine strong field leadership with hands-on technical expertise and disciplined control of safety, schedule, quality, and commissioning documentation.
Key Responsibilities
Commissioning Planning and Readiness
* Ensure contractors follow approved electrical commissioning procedures, inspection and test plans, method statements, and test protocols.
* Review single-line diagrams, schematics, wiring diagrams, cable schedules, load lists, and related technical documentation.* Develop commissioning schedules, manpower plans, test-equipment requirements, switching procedures, and isolation plans.
* Lead system walkdowns and readiness reviews, verify mechanical completion, and ensure inspection test records and punch-list items are closed before energization.* Manage the orderly handover of electrical systems from construction to commissioning and ultimately to operations.
Electrical Testing and Energization
* Lead commissioning of MV and LV switchgear, power and distribution transformers, motor control centers, UPS systems, battery banks, diesel generators, and backup power systems.
* Supervise installation verification, pre-energization inspections, controlled energization, load testing, and system stabilization.* Verify correct phasing, grounding, interlocks, control circuits, protection settings, and equipment functionality.
* Oversee insulation-resistance, continuity, cable, VLF, Hi-Pot, relay-protection, and other required electrical testing.* Lead switching and energization activities safely and in accordance with approved plans and permits.
Protection, Controls, and Startup
* Validate overcurrent, differential, distance, motor-protection, relay-logic, and trip-circuit schemes.
* Coordinate with the instrumentation and controls team on SCADA and DCS integration.* Support plant startup, load testing, ramp-up, and early operations while maintaining system reliability.
* Troubleshoot electrical faults, equipment malfunctions, and commissioning issues to support timely resolution.
Safety, Documentation, and Coordination
* Enforce client HSE requirements, permit-to-work controls, LOTOTO procedures, and safe execution of high-risk energization, high-voltage testing, and switching activities.
* Lead toolbox talks, risk assessments, and pre-task planning while promoting a strong field safety culture.* Ensure accurate completion of test reports, commissioning records, energization permits, switching logs, and relay-settings documentation.
* Verify red-line drawings and as-built documentation and ensure work complies with applicable IEC, IEEE, NFPA, project, and site standards.* Coordinate daily activities with mechanical, I&C, process commissioning, construction, QA/QC, vendors, OEM specialists, client representatives, and operations teams.
* Participate in progress meetings and provide clear reporting on system status, schedule, risks, constraints, and required actions.
Leadership Responsibilities
* Lead, supervise, and provide technical direction to electrical commissioning technicians and contractors.
* Allocate work, monitor progress against the commissioning schedule, and address performance or resource constraints.* Drive accountability, safe execution, quality, and timely completion across the electrical commissioning team.
* Make sound decisions during critical testing, switching, energization, and startup phases.
Essential skills and knowledge
Qualifications and Experience
* Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or an equivalent qualification; substantial relevant field experience may be considered in place of a degree.
* Approximately 10 to 15 years of electrical engineering, construction, or commissioning experience.* At least five years of experience in an electrical commissioning leadership role.
* Experience delivering large-scale EPC projects within mining, oil and gas, power generation, smelting, or heavy industrial environments.* Proven hands-on involvement in electrical system testing, controlled energization, plant startup, and operational handover.
* Strong knowledge of MV/LV equipment, substations, protection systems, switching, isolation, and electrical safe-work practices.
What Success Looks Like
* Strong leadership, decision-making, troubleshooting, and analytical skills.
* Clear communication and effective coordination across multidisciplinary project teams.* The ability to remain composed and make sound technical decisions during critical energization and startup activities.
* A safety-first, field-focused approach with strong ownership of commissioning quality, schedule, and system readiness.
What we offer
- This position offers a flat daily rate for days worked only. 5 day work week, 10-hour workdays. All full-time Brunel contractors are eligible for benefits. Your medical, dental and vision will begin on your first day of employment. 401K matching - 50% match, up to 3%.
- Non-local candidates to Bagdad, Arizona will be on a 4x1 rotation and provided single-status, fully furnished accommodations, airfare to/from home, rental car, fuel reimbursement, plus a $750/month stipend for food. Rotation will be 4 weeks on, 1 week off (not working).