Commissioning Technician
What do Commissioning Technicians do?
As a Commissioning Technician in the nuclear industry, your primary responsibility is to ensure that nuclear facilities are designed, installed and operationalised safely and efficiently.
Typical duties and responsibilities of an Commissioning Technician
- Design and Installation: You'll be involved in the initial design and installation processes of new nuclear facilities. This entails comprehending intricate engineering drawings and ensuring they adhere to safety protocols.
- Commissioning: Your role is pivotal during the commissioning phase, overseeing the testing and initiation of nuclear systems and equipment. This involves guaranteeing that all components function as intended and meet stringent regulatory standards.
- Collaboration: Close collaboration with process chemists and control engineers is essential to optimise the performance of nuclear plants. Working together ensures seamless and efficient operational processes.
- Safety and Compliance: Upholding the safety of personnel and the environment is paramount. You'll be tasked with ensuring that all operations strictly adhere to rigorous health, safety and environmental regulations, and that is recorded.
Skills and knowledge required to be an Commissioning Technician
- Teamwork: Commissioning often involves working as part of a team with engineers, contractors and other technicians. Being able to collaborate effectively with others is crucial for success.
- Safety Awareness: Commissioning technicians must prioritise safety at all times. This includes following safety protocols, wearing appropriate protective gear and identifying potential hazards.
- Adaptability: Commissioning projects can be complex and dynamic, requiring technicians to adapt to changing circumstances and solve unexpected problems as they arise.
- Time Management: Completing commissioning projects on schedule is important, so strong time management skills are necessary to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines.
- Analytical Skills: Being able to analyse data and test results is essential for identifying trends, troubleshooting issues and optimising system performance; key commissioning outcomes must be reported in line with legal obligations and regulatory expectations.
How do I become a Commissioning Technician?
University
You can pursue a degree in chemical, process or mechanical engineering. This typically involves obtaining a Bachelor’s (BEng) or Master’s (MEng) degree from a university. The Nuclear Institute (NI), Institute of Chemical Engineering (IChemE) and Institute of Mechanical Engineering (IMechE) are recognised bodies in this field.
Apprenticeships
Another potential pathway to becoming a commissioning is a degree apprenticeship. A degree apprenticeship is where you have the opportunity to earn a paid for degree whilst gaining industry experience and mentorship, and earning a salary.
Career Transition
The last potential pathway involves joining a company as a technician (for example) and gaining experience / completing training on the job over time, to eventually become a commissioning technician.
