Commissioning Manager – Nuclear Defence Project

Location: AWE Site, Reading, Berkshire
Contract Type: Full-time, Site-Based
Duration: Until end of 2026, with likely extension
Rate: £600 per day + expenses
IR35 Status: Outside IR35
Security Clearance: SC required, with willingness to progress to DV

We are recruiting for 2 experienced Commissioning Managers to join a major Nuclear Defence programme at AWE in Reading.

This is an opportunity to work on one of the UK’s most complex defence projects, supporting the commissioning of specialist equipment, building services and control systems.

We are looking for:

• 1 Mechanical-biased Commissioning Manager
• 1 Control Systems-biased Commissioning Manager

The Role

You will manage and deliver commissioning activities across complex work packages, ensuring they are planned, coordinated and completed safely in line with AWE procedures and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Advise on safety requirements for commissioning activities
• Manage commissioning work packages across the project
• Support the overall commissioning strategy
• Ensure compliance with AWE procedures and ONR Licence Condition 21
• Review and approve supplier test documentation
• Coordinate commissioning tests with suppliers
• Integrate commissioning activities into the project programme
• Monitor commissioning readiness and supplier progress
• Witness FAT and SAT testing
• Manage test failures and lessons learned
• Coordinate commissioning with installation and completion works
• Lead commissioning meetings and stakeholder reviews
• Prepare regular commissioning progress updates

About You

You will have:

• Strong experience commissioning large-scale facilities
• A track record delivering complex projects in defence, nuclear or similar sectors
• Experience leading commissioning teams
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills
• Good knowledge of commissioning methodologies
• The ability to work independently and within wider project teams
• Strong organisational and reporting skills
• Microsoft Office skills and a full UK driving licence

Desirable

• Previous AWE experience
• Mechanical or Control Systems bias
• Available to start ASAP

Qualifications & Clearance

• Degree qualified or equivalent
• Current SC clearance essential
• Able and willing to obtain DV clearance

If you are an experienced Commissioning Manager looking for a long-term contract on a major defence programme, we would like to hear from you.