Mechanical Startup Lead

Job Title:

Mechanical Startup Lead Job Description

The Mechanical Startup Lead will support commissioning, startup, and turnover activities for a natural gas compressor station project in Virginia. This role serves as a field leader during mechanical completion, system testing, commissioning, and startup, working closely with construction, operations, contractors, and project leadership to safely bring the facility into service. The position focuses on ensuring that mechanical equipment and supporting systems are installed, tested, and turned over in accordance with project specifications, manufacturer requirements, and operational expectations.

• Lead and coordinate mechanical commissioning and startup activities for compressor station equipment and supporting systems.

• Verify that mechanical equipment installation meets project specifications, manufacturer requirements, and operational performance expectations.

• Coordinate mechanical completion activities, including punch list creation, tracking, and resolution, to ensure systems are ready for testing and startup.

• Prepare, review, and manage mechanical turnover packages and documentation to support system handoff to Operations.

• Plan and oversee readiness for testing, troubleshooting, startup, and final system turnover to Operations.

• Work directly with contractors, vendors, and operations personnel to resolve field issues and ensure safe, efficient execution of startup activities.

• Monitor construction progress related to mechanical systems and provide input to maintain schedule, quality, and safety standards.

• Conduct construction inspections of mechanical equipment and systems to confirm proper installation and alignment.

• Support and, when required, lead troubleshooting efforts for rotating equipment and mechanical systems during commissioning and startup.

• Collaborate with project leadership and field construction teams to address mechanical issues and support operational readiness.

• Review and interpret P&IDs, mechanical drawings, specifications, and commissioning documentation to guide field activities.

• Participate in and support operational readiness processes, including punch list management and system turnover reviews.

• 10+ years of experience supporting industrial facilities such as compressor stations, gas transmission facilities, power generation facilities, LNG plants, or similar heavy industrial environments.

• Experience leading or supporting commissioning, startup, operations, maintenance, or construction activities in an industrial setting.

• Strong knowledge of rotating equipment and mechanical systems in natural gas or comparable process facilities.

• Hands‑on experience with compressors, pumps, valves, piping systems, pressure vessels, cooling systems, and related mechanical equipment.

• Ability to read and interpret Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs), mechanical drawings, specifications, and commissioning documentation.

• Proven experience working directly with contractors and field construction teams to execute mechanical and commissioning tasks.

• Strong troubleshooting and problem‑solving abilities in an active construction and startup environment.

• Natural gas compressor station experience, including familiarity with station operations and equipment.

• Experience with gas turbines, reciprocating compressors, centrifugal compressors, or closely related rotating machinery.

• Previous experience in startup, owner’s representative, field engineer, plant operations, or maintenance leadership roles.

• Familiarity with turnover packages, punch list management, and operational readiness processes for industrial facilities.

• Broad exposure to heavy industrial environments, including gas…