Process Commissioning Lead

ACCIONA is a global company, leading in the development of regenerative infrastructure that creates a positive impact on society. Our workforce consists of more than 65,000 professionals, present in more than 40 countries across the five continents, all contributing in our mission to design a better planet. Are you a passionate individual who wants to make a difference, promote sustainable development, and find solutions to the biggest global challenges including climate change, overpopulation, and water scarcity? Come and join us in building the infrastructure our planet needs to achieve a sustainable future.

Acciona Agua is part of ACCIONA, a global leader in sustainable infrastructure and renewable energy solutions. Acciona Agua specialises in the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of water infrastructure, delivering innovative and sustainable solutions across the entire water cycle, including desalination, water treatment, reuse, and distribution. With a strong global presence and a commitment to sustainability, Acciona Agua plays a key role in addressing the world’s water challenges.

The Process Commissioning Lead will be responsible for overseeing and coordinating all activities related to the pre-commissioning, commissioning, start-up, and performance testing of the desalination plant’s process systems, and will focus on improving system efficiency, reliability, and productivity by applying industrial engineering principles, including process optimisation, workflow design, resource planning, and performance analysis.

This role ensures compliance with client specifications, safety regulations, and quality standards. Lead a multidisciplinary team and collaborate closely with engineering, construction, operations teams, and client representatives to achieve a successful transition from construction to commercial operation.

Key Responsibilities

Tendering and Proposal Support

• Prepare, coordinate, and actively lead commissioning-related inputs during tender and proposal phases for water treatment projects, including desalination, potabilization, and wastewater treatment plants.

• Evaluate proposed process designs for: throughput efficiency, bottlenecks and constraints, maintainability and lifecycle cost optimisation

• Act as the focal point for commissioning and operational readiness during bids, ensuring constructability, operability, and maintainability are embedded in the design from early stages.

• Interface and coordinate closely with Engineering (Process, Mechanical, Electrical, I&C) and O&M teams to align design solutions with commissioning strategy and long-term operational requirements.

• Review and contribute to technical proposals, method statements, schedules, staffing plans, and cost estimates related to commissioning, start-up, and handover activities.

• Identify key commissioning risks, constraints, and assumptions during tender phases and define mitigation strategies to be incorporated into the bid.

Planning and Coordination:

• Review contractual documentation and engineering documents to ensure all commissioning requirements are considered.

• Prepare and maintain updated pre-commissioning and commissioning execution plans, including schedules, and personnel and equipment mobilization.

• Oversee the preparation of pre-commissioning, commissioning, performance test procedures, and operation manuals in collaboration with the process team.

• Coordinate with contractors, subcontractors, and vendors to define the scope of work and ensure vendor representatives' attendance when necessary.

On-Site Execution and Supervision:

• Manage and supervise the execution of pre-commissioning, commissioning, and start-up activities.

• Oversee and approve commissioning methods of statement in accordance with project guidelines and process requirement.

• Ensure compliance with Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (HSSE) standards, including the implementation of Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures and work permits.

• Conduct system testing and verification (e.g., filtration systems, ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis, chemical dosing, etc.) to ensure they meet performance specifications.

• Identify and assist with the rectification of commissioning punch list items or defects.

• Supervise laboratory resources, materials, and consumables. Coordinate all necessary water quality analyses required at various process stages to guarantee compliance. Coordinate the subcontracting and management of analyses with certified external laboratories.

Quality Management and Documentation:

• Ensure projects adhere to client specifications, industry standards, and local regulations.

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of site observations, testing processes, checklists, and progress reports.

• Prepare commissioning progress reports for project management and the client.

Transition and Training:

• Assist the Commissioning Manager in liaison with client representatives for plant handover.

• Train the desalination plant operations team on Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and operation manuals for a seamless transition.

• Lead the transition and handover of operations to the final operating team.

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or a related field.

• Technical Experience:  Proven experience with in commissioning large-scale water treatment plant projects, specifically SWRO desalination.

• Specific Knowledge: In-depth knowledge of water treatment processes, membrane technologies, instrumentation, water quality analysis and lab management.

• Interpersonal Skills: Excellent leadership, communication (verbal and written), and multidisciplinary team management skills. Ability to resolve problems efficiently and manage stakeholder relationships.

• Other Requirements: Availability to travel or work at the project site for extended periods.