Commissioning Operator – Air Separation Unit (ASU)

Commissioning Process Lead – Air Separation Unit (ASU)Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Positions: 1
Start Date: December 7, 2026
End Date: December 6, 2027
Position OverviewWe are seeking an experienced Commissioning Process Lead / ASU Operator to support the commissioning, startup, testing and stabilization of an Air Separation Unit at a major industrial facility in Edmonton, Alberta.
Reporting to the ASU Commissioning Coordinator, the successful candidate will oversee the transition from construction to operations, ensuring all equipment and systems are safely tested, commissioned and brought to full production capacity.
This is a hands-on field position requiring extensive knowledge of cryogenic air separation, industrial gas processing, distillation, molecular sieve systems and associated equipment.
Key Responsibilities

• Support commissioning, startup, testing and stabilization of the Air Separation Unit and associated process systems.
• Review system commissioning packages, startup plans, operating procedures and technical documentation.
• Participate in Construction Complete (CC) and Mechanical Complete (MC) walkdowns.
• Perform energy isolations and issue Safety Work Permits (SWPs) as required.
• Execute commissioning and startup procedures in accordance with approved plans and safety standards.
• Support commissioning and startup of main air compressors, booster air compressors, companders, cryogenic pumps and cold box systems.
• Assist with cold box cooldown, equipment testing, operational verification and system stabilization.
• Troubleshoot mechanical and process equipment issues during commissioning and startup.
• Verify equipment performance against engineering specifications and operational requirements.
• Support commissioning activities involving cryogenic distillation and molecular sieve systems, including Temperature Swing Adsorption (TSA).
• Maintain strict compliance with oxygen cleanliness requirements and safety procedures for high-pressure pure oxygen systems.
• Coordinate and monitor vendors, contractors and technical support personnel during commissioning activities.
• Review, update and redline operating procedures and Site Work Instruction Manuals (SWIMs).
• Identify equipment deficiencies and assist with troubleshooting and corrective actions.
• Provide daily commissioning progress reports to the ASU Commissioning Coordinator.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, maintenance and commissioning teams.
• Mentor less-experienced commissioning personnel and assist with training plant operations staff.
• Ensure all commissioning activities comply with established safety, environmental and quality requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum Fourth Class Power Engineering certification.
• Minimum 3–5 years of hands-on operating experience with cryogenic Air Separation Units (ASUs).
• Strong understanding of cryogenic air separation processes, distillation and molecular sieve technology.
• Knowledge of Temperature Swing Adsorption (TSA) systems.
• Experience operating or supporting main air compressors, booster compressors, companders, cryogenic pumps and cold box equipment.
• Strong understanding of oxygen safety, cleanliness requirements and high-pressure pure oxygen systems.
• Experience with industrial equipment troubleshooting, system testing and safe startup procedures.
• Ability to interpret operating procedures, commissioning documentation, P&IDs and technical drawings.
• Experience with equipment isolations, Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) and industrial Safety Work Permits.
• Strong communication, organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively with vendors, contractors and multidisciplinary commissioning teams.

Preferred Experience

• Previous commissioning and startup experience with cryogenic Air Separation Units.
• Industrial gas production and processing facilities.
• Cryogenic distillation and gas purification systems.
• Molecular sieve and TSA system operations.
• Compressor commissioning, cold box cooldown and cryogenic pump startup.
• Oxygen and nitrogen production systems.
• Experience supporting major industrial construction-to-operations transitions.
• Experience mentoring operators and supporting operational readiness.

Required Safety Certifications

• CSTS-20, including Basic Scaffold Safety
• Fall Protection
• Confined Space Entry and Monitoring
• WHMIS
• H2S Alive
• Applicable OSSA safety training

Additional InformationThis is a one-year commissioning assignment at a major industrial project in Edmonton, Alberta.
The successful candidate must be comfortable working in an active construction and commissioning environment, performing hands-on field activities and supporting the safe startup of complex cryogenic processing equipment.
Candidates must possess a minimum Fourth Class Power Engineering certification and demonstrate at least 3–5 years of direct operating experience with cryogenic Air Separation Units.
Previous ASU commissioning and startup experience is highly preferred.


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