Commissioning Manager - Nuclear Defence Project

Commissioning Manager - Nuclear Defence Project - Reading

Commissioning Manager - Contract Location: Berkshire
Industry: Nuclear / Defence Infrastructure

Role Overview
An opportunity is available for an experienced Commissioning Manager to support a major, high-security infrastructure programme within the nuclear defence sector. The role sits within a complex construction environment and will play a key part in bringing specialist plant, systems, and building services safely into operation.
This position offers exposure to a technically demanding project where robust commissioning governance, stakeholder coordination, and compliance with regulatory requirements are critical to success.

Key Accountabilities

• Provide guidance on safe systems of work relating to commissioning and testing activities.
• Take responsibility for the planning, coordination, and delivery of commissioning work packages within a large, multi-discipline programme.
• Ensure commissioning activities align with nuclear regulatory requirements, including recognised commissioning procedures and ONR Licence Condition 21.
• Support the development and implementation of the overall commissioning approach and strategy for the project.
• Oversee the preparation, review, and acceptance of supplier test plans, procedures, and supporting documentation.
• Coordinate and manage commissioning and testing activities with equipment and system suppliers.
• Integrate commissioning activities, dependencies, and prerequisites into the master project schedule.
• Contribute to construction planning to enable a phased handover of systems in support of commissioning.
• Monitor and report progress against commissioning prerequisites and supplier delivery.
• Attend and witness Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) and Site Acceptance Tests (SAT) as required.
• Manage and resolve test failures and non-conformances, ensuring appropriate close-out.
• Capture and communicate lessons learned through formal reports and presentations.
• Coordinate supplier commissioning activities with parallel testing, installation, and completion works.
• Implement and manage commissioning stakeholder engagement plans.
• Ensure consistent application of approved procedures and safety controls across all commissioning activities.
• Produce and present regular commissioning status updates to key stakeholders.
• Manage changes impacting commissioning programmes, resources, and forecasts.
• Lead and chair commissioning-related reviews, including design, procedure, and change reviews.

Candidate Profile

• Extensive experience delivering commissioning activities for large, complex facilities, including leadership of commissioning teams.
• Demonstrable success working on major projects within defence or similarly regulated technical environments.
• Strong ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with clients, contractors, and suppliers.
• Sound understanding and practical application of commissioning principles and methodologies.
• Comfortable working independently while contributing effectively within a wider project team.
• Clear, confident communicator with strong organisational capability.
• Key behavioural attributes include leadership, adaptability, self-drive, collaborative working, and sound judgement.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office applications.
• Holds a full UK driving licence.

Qualifications

• Degree-educated or equivalent professional experience.

Security Requirements

• Holds Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV) clearance, or is prepared to undergo the necessary clearance process.

What you need to do now

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.
If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
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