Commissioning Specialist

On behalf of DWP , we are looking for a Commissioning Specialist (M&E) for a 5 month contract (until 31/03/2027) (Inside IR35) contract based Sheffield, Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle, Blackpool and Glasgow (possibly London)

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for welfare, pensions, and child maintenance policy. As the UK’s biggest public service department, it administers the State Pension and a range of working age, disability and ill health benefits to around 20 million claimants and customers. As such, we operate on a scale that is almost unmatched anywhere in Europe and most people in Britain come into contact with us at some point in their lives.

Working with DWP, you will be helping us to drive our priorities to:

- Help people to move into work and support those already in work to progress, with the aim of increasing overall workforce participation
- Help people to plan and save for later life, while providing a safety net for those who need it now
- Provide effective, efficient, and innovative services to the millions of claimants who rely on us every day, including the most vulnerable in society
- Improve experience of our services while maximising value for money for the taxpayer.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is undertaking a significant estates transformation programme, including the acquisition, construction and refurbishment of major office facilities across the UK. As part of this programme, new sites in Newcastle and Sheffield are currently being completed and prepared for operational handover in 2027.

We are seeking an experienced Commissioning Specialist with a strong Mechanical and Electrical (M&E) background to join the DWP Estates Asset Management team. This role will play a critical part in ensuring the successful transition of newly constructed and refurbished buildings from construction and commissioning phases into operational Facilities Management (FM) contracts.

The successful candidate will act as DWP's technical representative throughout commissioning, handover and defects management activities, ensuring all building services systems are commissioned, tested, documented and handed over to the required standard

As a Commissioning Specialist (M&E) , your main responsibilities will be:

- Represent DWP Estates throughout the commissioning, testing and handover process of major office developments.
- Witness and verify commissioning activities carried out by contractors and specialist suppliers.
- Review commissioning plans, procedures, test scripts and associated documentation.
- Challenge commissioning results where required standards have not been achieved and drive resolution of issues.
- Manage the smooth transition of M&E systems from construction teams into Facilities Management maintenance contracts.
- Conduct inspections of building services systems and identify defects, non-conformities and commissioning issues.
- Review engineering designs, technical specifications and commissioning strategies.
- Monitor and report on commissioning progress, risks, defects and outstanding actions.
- Review Operation & Maintenance (O&M) manuals, asset information and statutory compliance documentation.
- Ensure all assets are handed over with complete and accurate records to support lifecycle management and maintenance activities.
- Oversee snagging and defect rectification processes throughout handover and post-occupancy periods.
- Support Soft Landings, seasonal commissioning and performance optimisation activities.
- Liaise with contractors, consultants, facilities managers and multidisciplinary project teams to achieve successful project delivery.
- Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, engineering standards and industry best practice.

Essential:

- Strong understanding of Asset Management principles and asset lifecycle management .
- Extensive experience commissioning and testing M&E systems within large commercial buildings.
- Proven experience managing commissioning handovers for major office developments.
- Significant knowledge of Mechanical, Electrical or Building Services Engineering.
- Strong knowledge of HVAC systems and electrical infrastructure.
- Ability to review and interpret engineering designs, drawings and specifications.
- Understanding of engineering standards, codes of practice and statutory compliance requirements.
- Experience in root cause analysis , fault finding and problem resolution.
- Significant experience within Hard FM, technical facilities management or building services engineering.
- Experience managing complex M&E projects in occupied operational environments.
- Experience working across large estates portfolios within public or private sector organisations.
- Proven experience managing defects, snagging and close-out activities.
- Experience using digital commissioning and handover platforms such as CxAlloy, BIM360/Autodesk Construction Cloud, Dalux, Asite, Viewpoint, CEMAR, PlanGrid or similar systems.
- Experience reviewing O&M manuals, commissioning documentation and compliance records.

Desirable:

- Degree, HNC or HND in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Building Services Engineering or a related discipline.
- Membership of an appropriate professional body such as IET, CIBSE, IMechE or equivalent.
- IOSH Managing Safely (or equivalent).
- Valid CSCS/ECS Skilled Worker Card.
- Building Management Systems (BMS).
- Fire detection and life safety systems.
- Emergency lighting systems.
- Water hygiene and legionella management systems.
- Lift and vertical transportation systems.
- Renewable energy technologies.
- Integrated Systems Testing (IST).
- Building fabric and structural systems knowledge.
- Soft Landings and seasonal commissioning.
- Defects liability period management and performance optimisation.
- Experience witnessing integrated testing between HVAC, BMS, fire alarm and other critical building systems.
- Experience working closely with contractors and multidisciplinary delivery teams.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident

As a Disability Confident employer, DWP encourage applications from disabled and neurodivergent candidates . Applications from candidates who identify as having a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role will be prioritised for review. Where application volumes are high, additional role-specific and desirable criteria may be applied as part of the shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Covenant

As a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, DWP welcome applications from veterans, service leavers, reservists and military spouses or partners. Applications from eligible candidates who meet the essential criteria for the role will be prioritised for review. Where application volumes are high, additional role-specific and desirable criteria may be applied as part of the shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".