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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Essential Skills

• 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.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Broad exposure to heavy industrial environments, including gas transmission facilities, power generation plants, and LNG facilities.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with multi-disciplinary teams, including construction, operations, and vendor representatives.
• Strong organizational skills to manage documentation, turnover packages, and punch lists throughout the project lifecycle.
• Effective communication skills to convey technical information and coordinate activities among field teams and project leadership.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety and quality standards during construction, commissioning, and startup activities.

Work Environment

The role is based at a new natural gas compressor station located along South Military Highway. The facility is strictly a natural gas compressor station that handles gas entirely in its vapor state and serves as a pressure-boosting station designed to keep gas moving efficiently across the Hampton Roads region during peak winter demand. The site does not include cryogenic freezing equipment, large LNG storage tanks, or marine shipping terminals. The work schedule is typically Monday through Friday, with normal hours structured as five days per week at 10 hours per day (5x10), with the possibility of extended periods at six days per week and 10 hours per day (6x10) depending on project needs. Weekend work may be required during critical phases of construction, commissioning, and startup.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Chesapeake, VA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $60.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Chesapeake,VA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 15, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.