Senior Commissioning Manager

About Niron

Niron Magnetics is commercializing the first new permanent magnetic material in decades—a breakthrough Iron Nitride technology that eliminates rare earths, strengthens supply chains, and drives a more sustainable future. At Niron, we’re not improving what exists—we’re building what’s never existed before. The materials, processes, and standards are being created in real time by our team.  We were named one of “America's Top GreenTech Companies” for 2024 and 2025 by TIME Magazine, Fast Company World Changing Ideas wins in 2024, 2025 and winners of the Minneapolis/ St. Paul Business Journal Minnesota Manufacturing Awards in 2025 and 2026. 

As we scale to commercial production, your impact is immediate and visible—on the plant floor, in the lab, and in the products our customers bring to life. We set a high bar because what we’re building will last—and so will the legacy of the people behind it.

The Commissioning Manager will lead the safe, orderly, and documented commissioning and startup of Plant 1 on a system-by-system basis. This leader wi

ll translate engineering, construction, and system definitions into an executable commissioning program, beginning with systemization and readiness planning and continuing through commissioning, startup, and formal handover to Process Engineering. 

The Commissioning Manager will work as an embedded member of Niron’s project team, coordinating Engineering, Construction, Operations, Maintenance, EHS, Quality, Process Safety Management, vendors, the EPC partner, and startup resources. The role is accountable for commissioning and startup deliverables while operating within the site’s safety, permit, isolation, and operating-control framework. 

What You’ll Do 

• Build and maintain the commissioning and startup execution plan, including system boundaries, sequencing, priorities, interfaces, governance, reporting, and handover requirements. 

• Convert system definitions and P&IDs into a complete systemization strategy and commissioning sequence. 

• Develop and manage the integrated commissioning schedule, resource plan, vendor-support plan, work packages, procedures, check sheets, and test scripts. 

• Define turnover requirements from Construction to Commissioning and establish documented stage-gate criteria for Mechanical Completion, readiness for startup, startup completion, and handover. 

• Lead system walkdowns, readiness reviews, functional and operational testing, issue resolution, deficiency management, and startup-readiness reviews. 

• Coordinate owner personnel, contractors, OEMs, specialist vendors, Operations, Process Engineering, Maintenance, EHS, Quality, and PSM resources. 

• Confirm that procedures, permits, isolations, temporary systems, spare parts, tools, consumables, training, operating documentation, and vendor support are ready before work begins. 

• Establish commissioning controls, daily and weekly reporting, risk and constraint logs, decision tracking, change control, and escalation routines. 

• Prepare for system walkdowns and readiness reviews, manage punch-list status, and maintain objective evidence of completion and acceptance. 

• Lead documented handover from commissioning and startup to Process Engineering, including the transfer of outstanding obligations with accountable owners and completion plans. 

• Provide commissioning training, coaching, and practical knowledge transfer to the Niron team. 

• Support agreed Pilot commissioning activities and coordinate with the pre-commissioning team to align system boundaries, turnover sequencing, completion criteria, documentation, testing, punch-list strategy, and schedule interfaces. 

Key Deliverables 

• Commissioning and startup execution plan and integrated system-by-system schedule 

• System turnover dossiers, acceptance records, readiness-review records, and completion certificates 

• Commissioning work packages, procedures, check sheets, test scripts, resource forecasts, and vendor-support plans 

• Risk assessments, constraint logs, interface registers, decision logs, issue-escalation records, and progress reports 

• Deficiency and punch-list records through closure or formally accepted transfer 

• System handover packages and a final commissioning and startup closeout report 

What We’re Looking For 

• Demonstrated leadership of commissioning and startup for complex industrial, chemical, advanced manufacturing, energy, or similarly technical facilities. 

• Strong working knowledge of systemization, Mechanical Completion, turnover, pre-commissioning, commissioning, startup, functional testing, integrated systems testing, and formal handover. 

• Experience building commissioning execution plans, integrated schedules, resource plans, work packages, readiness reviews, and completion-management systems. 

• Practical knowledge of permits to work, lockout/tagout, isolations, process safety, startup authorization, and safe work execution in an active project environment. 

• Ability to read and apply P&IDs, one-line diagrams, equipment documentation, control narratives, vendor manuals, and turnover records. 

• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and align EPC partners, contractors, vendors, Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, EHS, Quality, and Process Engineering. 

• Clear written and verbal communication, disciplined documentation, sound judgment, and the ability to escalate risks and decisions promptly. 

• Comfort operating in a first-of-a-kind, high-growth environment where processes and standards are being built while the project advances. 

• Ability to work primarily on site in Sartell, Minnesota, with flexibility to support commissioning activities as project needs require. 

Nice to Have 

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction management, or a related technical field, or equivalent commissioning leadership experience. 

• Commissioning experience in batch processing and balance-of-plant systems. 

• Experience with Primavera P6 or comparable integrated scheduling tools and digital completion-management systems. 

• Experience taking a greenfield facility from construction turnover through startup and operational handover. 

• Experience developing internal commissioning capabilities, training teams, and capturing lessons learned for future phases.

Our Pay and Benefits

•         Salary range: $155,000-190,000 based on experience, skills, and education

•         Equity position in Niron via stock option grant

•         Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance

•         Mental healthcare

•         401k plan with company match

•         Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays

•         Experience in a fun, high-performing, manufacturing environment

Recruiters and Employment Agencies: Please note that Niron Magnetics does not accept unsolicited resumes from external agencies. Any unsolicited resumes submitted to our career site, hiring managers, or employees will be considered the property of Niron Magnetics. Consequently, we reserve the right to hire these candidates at our discretion without any financial obligation to the submitting agency.

The following notices apply only to positions involving access to export-controlled technology, technical data, or CUI as determined by the nature of the role and applicable program requirements

Export Control / ITAR Notice

This position may require access to information, technology, or technical data controlled under U.S. export control laws, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR, 22 C.F.R. Parts 120–130) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR, 15 C.F.R. Parts 730–774), as well as Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) as defined under 32 C.F.R. Part 2002. Where such access is required, the Company will evaluate all available license exceptions and exemptions before determining that a formal export authorization is necessary. If an export authorization is required, the Company will determine, based on legitimate business and regulatory considerations alone, whether to pursue one. The Company is not obligated to seek an export authorization in every circumstance, and any decision regarding authorization will never be based on a candidate's citizenship status, immigration status, or national origin. Each candidate's eligibility will be evaluated individually through a consistent, documented review process. The Company complies fully with all applicable federal anti-discrimination laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq.), the anti-discrimination provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. § 1324b), and Executive Order 11246 as implemented by 41 C.F.R. Part 60. The Company does not discriminate on the basis of national origin, citizenship status, or immigration status in any aspect of employment. 

Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)

This role may involve access to Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). Candidates selected for roles involving CUI will be required to comply with all applicable safeguarding and handling requirements, including those under NIST SP 800-171 and any governing contractual obligations.