Overview:
The Senior CO₂ Commissioning Engineer is the technical authority responsible for leading the startup, commissioning, validation, and optimization of our transcritical CO₂ refrigeration systems across commercial and supermarket applications. This role owns the commissioning process from pre-startup readiness through customer turnover and early-life system support.
The Senior Commissioning Engineer operates with minimal supervision and is expected to make critical field decisions, mentor junior commissioning staff, and serve as the escalation point for complex system and controls issues.
Responsibilities:
Key Responsibilities
Commissioning Leadership & Execution
- Lead end-to-end startup and commissioning of transcritical CO₂ systems, including:
- Parallel compression
- Ejector-supported architectures
- Integrated heat reclaim and gas cooler solutions
- Review and validate pre-startup readiness, ensuring all requirements are met prior to site mobilization.
- Direct and oversee contractor activities during commissioning, including evacuation and charging.
- Fully commission and tune:
- Rack controllers and control logic
- Compressor staging and capacity management
- Pressure, temperature, and safety control strategies
- EMS and store integration
- Optimize system performance for stability, efficiency, and reliability under real-world operating conditions.
Technical Authority on Site
- Serve as the final technical decision-maker during startup activities.
- Troubleshoot complex mechanical, electrical, and controls issues encountered during commissioning.
- Coordinate with refrigeration contractors, electricians, controls vendors, and internal teams.
- Identify installation deficiencies and drive corrective actions.
- Support remote or secondary startups requiring advanced expertise.
Documentation, Handover & Customer Interface
- Complete detailed commissioning reports, checklists, and final validation documentation.
- Clearly document punch lists, outstanding items, and corrective action plans.
- Conduct system walk-throughs with customers and contractors.
- Establish post-startup support paths and expectations at project closeout.
Mentorship & Continuous Improvement
- Mentor and support Junior and Mid-Level Commissioning Engineers.
- Assist in development and refinement of commissioning procedures, standards, and best practices.
- Provide structured feedback to engineering, product, and technical support teams on:
- Recurring field issues
- Design improvements
- Control logic enhancements
- Act as a technical escalation resource for internal technical support teams.
Qualifications:
Experience
- 8+ years of commercial refrigeration experience.
- 5+ years of direct hands-on experience commissioning transcritical CO₂ systems. (2 years preferred)
- Proven experience independently commissioning full supermarket CO₂ racks. (preferred)
- Demonstrated ability to lead commissioning efforts without supervision.
Technical Expertise
- Expert-level understanding of:
- Transcritical CO₂ refrigeration theory and application
- Compressor technologies (LT/MT, parallel compression)
- Gas coolers, flash tanks, ejectors
- Electronic expansion valves and pressure control strategies
- Advanced knowledge of rack control platforms and EMS integration.
- Ability to interpret and validate:
- P&IDs
- Electrical schematics
- Control sequences and logic
- Installation drawings
Skills & Competencies
- High-level troubleshooting and root-cause analysis skills.
- Strong leadership presence and decision-making ability.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple commissioning projects concurrently.
- Comfortable operating as the technical face of the company on-site.
Certifications & Education (Preferred)
- EPA Universal Certification (required).
- OEM CO₂ commissioning or advanced systems training (preferred).
- Formal technical education or equivalent field experience.
Travel & Physical Requirements
- Extensive travel required (often weekly). 35-40 Weeks a year
- Ability to travel by plane or car
- Ability to work in mechanical rooms, rooftops, and live store environments.
- Ability to lift and transport diagnostic tools and field equipment.
- Flexibility to work extended hours during startup windows.