HV Commissioning Manager

HV Commissioning Manager

About Designer Group

Designer Group is a leading international mechanical, electrical and instrumentation contractor delivering complex mission-critical, industrial, power, renewable energy and life sciences projects across Ireland, Europe and beyond.

With a strong track record delivering large-scale infrastructure and energy projects, Designer Group provides full lifecycle services from design support and construction through to commissioning, energisation and operational handover. Due to continued growth within our Engineering and Power Delivery teams, we are seeking an experienced HV Commissioning Manager to support the successful delivery, testing, commissioning and energisation of high-voltage electrical systems across a portfolio of major infrastructure, energy and mission-critical projects throughout Europe.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead commissioning activities on some of the most technically challenging projects in the industry while working closely with clients, utilities, OEMs and multidisciplinary project teams. The role offers the opportunity to travel across the EU and support projects in a variety of sectors including power transmission and distribution, renewable energy, industrial facilities and data centres.

Role Purpose

The HV Commissioning Manager will be responsible for leading, planning, coordinating and managing commissioning activities for high-voltage electrical infrastructure, including substations, switchgear, transformers, protection systems and associated power distribution networks.

The successful candidate will oversee commissioning teams, manage stakeholder engagement, and ensure systems are tested, commissioned, energised and handed over safely, compliantly and efficiently. The role requires regular travel to project locations across the EU.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the commissioning process for HV substations, transformers, switchgear, protection systems and associated electrical infrastructure.
• Develop and implement commissioning strategies, procedures, test documentation and project-specific commissioning plans.
• Manage commissioning schedules, resource planning and commissioning deliverables across multiple projects.
• Coordinate commissioning engineers, technicians, OEM vendors and specialist subcontractors.
• Review design documentation, vendor information and commissioning requirements throughout project delivery.
• Prepare and review commissioning method statements, risk assessments and energisation plans.
• Liaise with clients, utility providers, transmission system operators, OEM vendors and project stakeholders.
• Manage Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs), Site Acceptance Tests (SATs) and integrated systems testing activities.
• Oversee protection relay testing, functional testing and system validation activities.
• Coordinate pre-energisation inspections and ensure all quality, safety and regulatory requirements have been achieved.
• Lead energisation planning and switching operations in accordance with approved procedures.
• Verify construction completion and readiness for commissioning and energisation.
• Manage the development and close-out of commissioning dossiers, turnover packages and handover documentation.
• Ensure all commissioning records, test reports and as-built documentation are maintained to the highest standard.
• Support operator training, familiarisation and operational readiness activities.
• Work closely with QA/QC and HSE teams to ensure compliance with project requirements.
• Lead technical troubleshooting and resolution of commissioning issues.
• Promote and maintain a strong culture of safety, quality and operational excellence.

Key Requirements

• Degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline.
• Minimum 8+ years' experience in the commissioning of HV electrical infrastructure projects.
• Previous experience in a Commissioning Lead, Commissioning Manager or Senior Commissioning Engineer role.
• Strong understanding of HV power systems, protection schemes and substation operations.
• Experience commissioning electrical systems ranging from 10kV to 400kV.
• Knowledge of grid connection and utility energisation processes.
• Experience with HV switchgear, transformers, protection relays, control systems and SCADA systems.
• Strong understanding of electrical safety rules, switching procedures and permit-to-work systems.
• Experience managing commissioning programmes, resources and stakeholder interfaces.
• Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong problem-solving and fault-finding capabilities.
• Ability to work independently and lead multidisciplinary project teams.
• Full willingness and flexibility to travel across the EU to support project delivery.

Desirable Experience

Experience in one or more of the following areas would be advantageous:

• Transmission and distribution substations.
• GIS and AIS substation technologies.
• Protection relay testing and configuration.
• IEC 61850 communication systems.
• SCADA integration and commissioning.
• Power system studies and network analysis.
• Renewable energy projects including wind, solar and BESS.
• Thermal power generation projects.
• Data centre power infrastructure.
• Pharmaceutical, manufacturing and industrial facilities.
• Black building testing and integrated systems testing.
• Experience working directly with utility network operators and transmission system operators.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to work on major energy, infrastructure and mission-critical projects across Europe.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Professional development and career progression opportunities.
• Exposure to leading-edge HV technologies and complex commissioning programmes.
• Collaborative and supportive working environment within a growing international organisation.