Commissioning Technician - Instrumentation

Kent is looking for Instrumentation Commissioning Technicians to support the Kearl In-Pit Tailings Area 2 (ITA2) Project. The technician will perform field instrumentation and control-system pre-commissioning and commissioning, complete loop and functional testing, troubleshoot devices and signals, and support the safe turnover of systems to Operations. The role works closely with commissioning leadership, Construction, Systems Completion, Operations, Engineering, vendors, and other disciplines.

Skills and Responsibilities

Responsibilities

Commissioning Execution and Field Support

• Execute instrumentation pre-commissioning, commissioning, start-up, loop testing, functional testing, and cause-and-effect verification in accordance with approved procedures, work packs, drawings, and schedules.
• Inspect, calibrate, configure, and test field instruments and associated equipment, including pressure, temperature, level, flow, analytical, vibration, control valve, shutdown, and package instrumentation.
• Perform point-to-point checks, loop checks, input/output verification, alarm and trip testing, valve stroking, interlock testing, and signal validation within the individual’s training and authorization.
• Support integration testing involving field devices, programmable logic controllers, distributed control systems, safety instrumented systems, motor controls, and packaged equipment.
• Assist with troubleshooting calibration, wiring, communication, configuration, control logic, and device-performance issues; escalate complex or safety-critical conditions.
• Confirm test prerequisites, system boundaries, permits, isolations, approved bypasses or inhibits, test equipment, and stakeholder readiness before work begins.
• Coordinate with commissioning, electrical, mechanical, construction, operations, engineering, control-system specialists, and vendors to remove constraints and maintain safe work fronts.

Systems Completion and Documentation

• Complete commissioning check sheets, calibration records, loop folders, test records, deficiency reports, redlines, and turnover documentation using SCDB or an equivalent system.
• Verify installation completeness and readiness against piping and instrumentation diagrams, loop drawings, hook-up drawings, instrument indexes, data sheets, cause-and-effect matrices, and control narratives.
• Identify, record, and support closure of punch list items, deficiencies, and non-conformances required for system turnover.
• Maintain calibrated test equipment and clear, traceable records of configurations, set points, tests, and completed work.

Safe Work and Quality

• Comply with permit-to-work, lockout/tagout, isolation, energized electrical work restrictions, process containment, bypass and inhibit control, and Safety-in-Transition requirements.
• Participate in toolbox talks, field-level risk assessments, pre-job meetings, and safe work observations; stop work when conditions are unsafe or outside the approved scope.
• Perform work in accordance with applicable codes, client requirements, project specifications, approved set points, commissioning procedures, and quality standards.
• Communicate shift progress, constraints, active bypasses or inhibits, outstanding deficiencies, and safety concerns clearly to the supervisor and incoming crew.

In addition to the responsibilities listed herein, the employee may be required to perform other ad-hoc tasks as needed or directed by the supervisor or management. These tasks will be within the reasonable scope of the employee's skills, capabilities, and role within the organization. The intent of this provision is to allow for flexibility and adaptability in meeting the dynamic needs of the organization, ensuring that operational requirements can be met efficiently. All such tasks will be assigned considering the employee's current workload and with respect to their professional development.

Your knowledge/skills, education, and experience

Knowledge/ Qualification/ Training/ Certification

• Journeyperson Instrumentation and Control Technician certification recognized in Alberta, or a diploma in Instrumentation Engineering Technology with equivalent industrial field experience; Interprovincial Red Seal endorsement is preferred where applicable.
• Previous instrumentation commissioning, start-up, maintenance, or construction experience on oil sands, oil and gas, mining, or large industrial projects.
• Working knowledge of piping and instrumentation diagrams, loop drawings, instrument data sheets, cause-and-effect matrices, control narratives, and commissioning test documentation.
• Demonstrated ability to use calibration and test equipment safely and to configure common smart instruments and final control elements.
• Experience with DCS, PLC, SIS, asset management tools, and systems completion databases such as SCDB or equivalent is an asset.

Communication

• Excellent command of the English language, with clear oral and written communication skills.
• Able to prepare accurate field records, shift handovers, deficiency descriptions, and commissioning documentation

Behavior/ Core Competencies

• Safety-focused, methodical, and disciplined in managing permits, isolations, bypasses, inhibits, procedures, and system boundaries.
• Strong diagnostic, documentation, organization, and field coordination skills with close attention to detail.
• Able to work across instrumentation, controls, electrical, mechanical, and process interfaces and communicate technical issues clearly.
• Comfortable working outdoors in an active industrial environment and performing the physical duties of the position while wearing required personal protective equipment.

HSSEQ

The Employee shall observe the Health, Safety, Sustainability, Environment and Quality rules of the Company; it’s clients and the governing authorities of the host country.

Details about the role

Location: Kearl Oil Sands Project, Fort McKay, Alberta

• Relocation required: No
• Travel required: 14 days on / 7 days off rotation; flights provided from Edmonton or Calgary only
• Contract type: Project based
• Experience level: 5+ years