Lead Test & Startup Specialist - Project Management and Construction

Important Application Submission Information

In order to ensure your application is successfully received before the job posting expires, please submit your application by 11:59 PM on Monday, May 25, 2026

More than a career - a chance to make a difference in people's lives.

Build an exciting, rewarding career with us – help us make a difference for millions of people every day. Consider joining the Duke Energy team, where you'll find a friendly work environment, opportunities for growth and development, recognition for your work, and competitive pay and benefits.

Other Duke Energy locations may be considered at the discretion of the hiring manager.

Under the general direction of the Site Startup Manager, Project Manager or other applicable manager, this position has the responsibility for the pre-commissioning and commissioning scope of work on assigned projects. The Lead Test & Startup Specialist is a lead role providing guidance to others at their designated sites or multiple sites and ensures that all safety policies, environmental requirements, established policies and procedures of Duke Energy are followed to place all systems of a project .in service. Projects typically range from renewable (solar, wind, battery), fossil generating stations (Natural Gas Combined Cycle or Simple Cycle power plants) and capital power generation (environmental, water treatment projects, etc.).

This is a skilled position with individual focus on the commissioning of Mechanical, Electrical, Instruments & Controls and the Distributed Control Systems (DCS) functions of a project. This individual will coordinate with Project/Construction Management, Plant Integration Team (PIT), Engineering, the General Contractor, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and their Technical Field Advisors (TFAs) to ensure verification that all plant systems are installed per the engineering design of the plant.

Other responsibilities include but are not limited to ensuring all safety procedures are followed, Lockout/Tagout program compliance, development of commissioning procedures, oversee/support system turnover process, generate test documentation for turnover packages, maintaining redlines/as-built drawings for transmittal to engineering, generating punch lists, and coordinating with project stakeholders to resolve issues/problems.

This position is not an automatic progression from Lead Test & Startup Specialist to Manager Site Startup. However, management has the discretion to post at the Sr. level and hire at the Lead level based on business need, skills of the candidate and management approval.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and support planning for pre-commissioning and commissioning activities while ensuring Safety, Environmental, System Turnover, LOTO, Procedure Development, Schedule, Budget, Materials, Tools/Test Equipment, etc. are executed within Duke Energy's policies, procedures and project requirements.

• Provide commissioning leadership and coordination to both plant staff and construction craft during pre-commissioning and commissioning activities.

• Support pre-turnover system walkdowns, provide input to the punch lists and assign priorities to punch list items.

• Coordinate and resolve issues/problems with the Engineering, Construction, PIT, QA/QC and EHS Teams.

• Oversee and assist with pre-commissioning of various plant systems which include electrical testing, electrical checkout, loop checks, motor testing, cleaning/flushing of various process systems, etc.

• Place systems in service systematically and ensure process if functioning per design. Monitor systems from control room and provide oversight to operations personnel.

• Support Performance Testing, Emissions Testing, Demonstration Testing of plant systems and turnover of facility to Operations and maintenance Teams.

Basic/Required Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree with 5 plus years of work-related experience OR HS/GED and 12 plus years work related experience.

Additional Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related discipline

• Power Plant Startup & Commissioning

• Commissioning experience in one of the following disciplines: Instrumentation & Controls, Mechanical, Electrical, DCS

• Knowledge and experience with LOTO Programs

• Ability to understand various systems processes and control functionality

• Strong computer and verbal skills

• Power Plant operations experience

Working Conditions:

• Environmental: Exposure to weather conditions at site, equipment noise hazards, some office work, day and night working shifts and conditions

• Physical: Lifting/carrying tools & equipment, climbing ladders, accessing platforms via stairways, working on scaffolds, walking the job site.

• Schedule: Periods involving 12 hour days (prior to plant operation), shift work required during various startup evolutions

Mobility Classification - 100% Field

#LI-PG1

#LI-Field

Travel Requirements

Relocation Assistance Provided (as applicable)

No

Represented/Union Position

No

Visa Sponsored Position

No

Please note that in order to be considered for this position, you must possess all of the basic/required qualifications.

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