4 Commissioning Manager roles in Newcastle upon Tyne

What you'll be doing

As a Commissioning Manager, you'll take ownership of commissioning delivery across the full lifecycle of substation projects, from tender support and design input through to on-site execution, energisation, and final handover. Acting as the technical authority for commissioning activities, you'll play a pivotal role in ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and to the highest quality standards.

• Serve as the subject matter expert for substation commissioning, providing technical support to tendering, design, operations, and project delivery teams.


• Lead the development and implementation of commissioning strategies from early contractor involvement through to project completion and handover.


• Provide specialist guidance on National Grid commissioning standards, HV/LV equipment testing, and commissioning best practice.


• Ensure all commissioning activities comply with relevant safety, quality, technical, and operational requirements.


• Support projects on-site by resolving commissioning challenges and providing hands-on expertise when required.


• Drive commissioning input during bid and tender stages, including resource planning, programme development, and cost estimation.


• Develop and maintain commissioning schedules, forecasts, and delivery plans to support successful project outcomes.


• Participate in project handovers, ensuring a smooth transition from design and construction into commissioning and operational readiness.


• Lead, develop, and mentor a growing team of commissioning engineers, technicians, and specialist subcontractors.


• Plan and coordinate commissioning resources across multiple projects and frameworks.


• Ensure all commissioning personnel hold the appropriate competencies, training, and authorisations to carry out their roles safely and effectively.


• Foster a high-performing culture focused on collaboration, safety, and continuous improvement.


• Monitor commissioning progress, performance, and expenditure against programme and budget targets.


• Represent commissioning teams at project reviews, commissioning panels, and progress meetings, providing updates to Project Managers and key stakeholders.


• Identify opportunities to improve testing and commissioning processes, driving innovation, efficiency, and best practice across the business.


• Support lessons learned activities and contribute to the ongoing development of commissioning standards and methodologies.

Who we're looking for

We're seeking an experienced commissioning professional with a strong track record of delivering substation projects within the National Grid environment. The following are essential:

• Extensive experience in substation commissioning, ideally on National Grid projects


• Previous Commissioning Authorisations or a strong working knowledge of National Grid procedures, including BP141 and BP106


• Excellent understanding of National Grid commissioning processes and high-voltage (HV) equipment testing


• An HNC or higher qualification in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline


• Proven experience leading remote technical teams and managing commissioning subcontractors


• Strong knowledge of commissioning documentation, quality assurance (QA), and quality control (QC) requirements


• UK driving license

In addition, the following would be advantageous:

• Experience delivering major infrastructure or large-scale capital projects


• Degree-level qualification in Electrical Engineering or a related technical discipline


• Familiarity with digital commissioning platforms, reporting tools, and modern project delivery systems


• Chartered Engineer (CEng) status or working towards professional registration

Why work for us

Day in, day out, our teams deliver some of the UK’s most ambitious, exciting and meaningful projects; developing, building and maintaining the vital infrastructure that supports national economies and strengthens communities.

Why join us?

As if contributing to and supporting work that makes life better for millions wasn’t rewarding enough, we offer a full range of benefits too. You’ll have the freedom to shape the package that’s right for you and your life. Here are some of our key benefits:

- Smart working, giving you more flexibility such as staggered start and finish times, with up to 40% remote working, where roles allow.
- 25 days paid annual leave (pro rata)
- Family friendly policies which include 28 weeks full pay for maternity/adoption leave and four weeks full pay for paternity/partners leave
- Pension, share incentive plan, volunteering leave, recognition schemes and much more…

About us

Balfour Beatty’s Power Transmission & Distribution teams work with regional, national and international electricity network owners and operators to provide technical engineering solutions across the full spectrum of the electricity grid, including overhead lines, cabling, substations and distribution networks.

From scoping and feasibility, to design, construction and on-going maintenance, our in-house experts, flexible resources and industry-leading innovations support customers in the development of some of the UK’s most ambitious power transmission and distribution projects.

Diversity and inclusion

At Balfour Beatty, we want everyone to be able to thrive and achieve their full potential, regardless of their identity or background. We’re making great progress through our Value Everyone DEI Action Plan, but we know we’ve got more to do.  Find out more about our values and DEI initiatives. 

As a Disability Confident Employer, we ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum criteria for this role will be offered an interview. 

We are committed to our processes being barrier-free and will support adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process. Please let the recruiter for this role know if you require any adjustments. 

We’re looking to continually improve our recruitment process, so if you have any feedback, please share this with us via candidaterecruitmentenquiries@balfourbeatty.com