Principal Commissioning Gauteng

Role Overview

We are conducting a global search for Principals and Senior Principals in Commissioning to lead planning and execution for mega projects worldwide. This is a rare opportunity for individuals who combine deep technical expertise in commissioning with strategic leadership and client engagement skills. You will act as a trusted leader, safety champion, and mentor of commissioning professionals. Beyond execution, you will engage with clients to grow Hatch’s CORE practice and unlock business opportunities, which includes: Commissioning (construction completions, pre-commissioning, load commissioning), operational readiness, asset management and ramp-up services. We are looking for professionals who think and act like owners, thrive on creating new approaches and improving processes, and can bridge technical execution with strategic foresight to deliver exceptional client value. Most importantly, you will inspire, develop and lead our teams with a focus on developing future great commissioning professionals, sustaining the growth of our expertise for decades to come. Candidates must be willing to travel to meet teams and clients including remote project sites as required, and participate in site assignments, sometimes requiring fly-in/fly-out arrangements for periods of time.

Project Leadership

Role model, safety culture, Collaborative leadership, and behaviors. Develop and implement commissioning strategies and lead commissioning planning for large, complex projects. Oversee planning, scheduling, and resource allocation for commissioning phases. Lead readiness assessments, commissioning risk reviews, and constructability /commissionability evaluations during early project phases. Advise projects on systems completion, turnover strategies, punch listing, walkdowns, and technical acceptance criteria. Support critical-path decision-making during commissioning and early operations. Liaise with senior EPCM and Operational Readiness stakeholders during project planning phases to ensure interfacing and alignment

Execution Excellence

Provide senior-level commissioning expertise on major projects—either embedded in the delivery team or in an oversight/assurance role. Lead or support the development of Commissioning Execution Plans, systemization strategies, and sequence logic. Facilitate alignment between engineering, construction, completions, commissioning, and operations teams. Travel to project sites to support troubleshooting, readiness reviews, start-up preparation, and ramp-up performance optimization Ensure commissioning deliverables meet safety, quality, and performance expectations.

Client Engagement & Growth

Build strong relationships with clients, represent the commissioning discipline in key meetings, and provide trusted technical guidance. Lead proposal development, scopes of work, estimation and execution strategies for commissioning engagements. Represent Hatch in client meetings, governance forums, and project steering committees. Help identify opportunities to expand commissioning, operational readiness, and ramp-up services with existing and new clients (in a consultative, non-salesy manner).

Leadership & Workforce Development

Mentor and coach emerging commissioning managers, fostering a culture of safety, professional growth and excellence. Share best practices and lessons learned across global teams. Work seamlessly across borders in a flat, connected organization aligned with Hatch’s values.

In collaboration with Hatch’s Global Director of Commissioning, bring best practices and drive innovation in commissioning practices and improve processes for better client outcomes. Champion a culture of safety throughout all commissioning activities.

15-25+ years in commissioning, with proven leadership on major capital projects (>$1B). Project experience across diverse geographies and cultures. Demonstrated success in client engagement and business development. Excellent communication skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders. Demonstrated expertise in at least one of our three (3) main sectors: Metals (from mining to minerals processing, to metallurgy (pyro & hydro) Energy (Nuclear Power, Hydro Power, Thermal Power, Renewable Power, Energy Storage, Power Distribution, Oil & Gas) Infrastructure (Water, Transit, Rails, Ports & Terminals, Aviation, etc.) Additional experience in another of the CORE service lines (operational readiness, asset management, ramp-up) is an asset.

Strategic planning and site execution leadership and management expertise. Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills. Ability to manage complexity and deliver under pressure.

Safety-conscious and ethical. Collaborative, committed to long-term success—not transactional. Entrepreneurial mindset with ambition to grow into influential leadership roles. Client relationship, communication and team building acumen Ability to interact and connect with all levels (top leadership and working levels) of the organization Ability to identify business opportunities for CORE Commissioning but also for all other services of Hatch Competent technical communicator and able to adapt to the audience (empathy): facility to adapt script to the context of the audience and to simplify the messaging when required  Interest in providing governance and support on projects