Lead CX Authority

Parsons is seeking a highly experienced Lead Commissioning Authority to join our Federal Solutions and Commissioning teams. The successful candidate will bring extensive industrial commissioning experience and the ability to lead multi-disciplinary commissioning teams on complex manufacturing and high-hazard process facilities. 

Parsons routinely supports secure federal and industrial facilities where commissioning and qualification outcomes directly affect mission success and long-term operability. Candidates must be technically authoritative, temperate in conflict resolution, and capable of leading both the Cx team and multi-party interfaces with owners, contractors, and government stakeholders. 

An attractive Parsons compensation and benefits package is offered. This role provides the opportunity to lead commissioning and qualification efforts on major defense and industrial manufacturing programs while mentoring Cx professionals and strengthening Parsons’ commissioning capabilities. 

Position requires substantial on-site presence at federal installations and client manufacturing facilities during design reviews, construction, start-up, commissioning, and qualification phases, plus travel to vendor facilities for Factory Acceptance Testing as required. 

This position is based near Little Rock, Arkansas and is part of a 4–5 year contract. During the first year, remote work is permitted. After the first year, the selected candidate will be required to either reside within commuting distance of Little Rock, AR or be willing to relocate to the area.

What You'll Be Doing: 

Lead Commissioning Authorities are responsible for establishing the overall commissioning strategy, guiding the Cx team, and ensuring that systems are validated, documented, and ready for safe, reliable operations. On programs that include production qualification and government acceptance activities, you will also provide technical leadership for qualification readiness, quality/configuration oversight, and test & evaluation support. 

• Lead the overall commissioning program, including development of the Master Commissioning Plan, system boundaries, acceptance criteria, and integrated start-up sequencing. 

• Direct and coordinate the commissioning team (including energetics, process utility, and ICS/controls specialists) to deliver consistent, high-quality validation outcomes. 

• Oversee design reviews from a commissioning perspective at progressive stages and ensure commissioning requirements are embedded in procurement and contract documents.

• Lead or support production qualification and government acceptance readiness activities, including stage-gate criteria, readiness assessments, and independent technical recommendations. 

• Provide technical oversight of quality and configuration management aspects relevant to commissioning and qualification (traceability, NCR/CAPA, calibration, and related controls). 

• Support test and evaluation planning, witnessing, result evaluation, and failure investigation as they relate to system and process qualification. 

• Ensure FAT, SAT, functional, and integrated systems testing are properly planned, executed, witnessed, and documented.

• Maintain overall issue tracking and drive disciplined resolution across the commissioning and qualification scope. 

• Prepare clear commissioning and readiness reports and briefings for senior management, clients, and government stakeholders.

• ​Mentor commissioning personnel and contribute to the continuous improvement of Parsons’ industrial and hazardous-process commissioning practices.

• Additional office locations or hybrid arrangements may be considered upon request consistent with project demands. 

What Required Skills You'll Bring: 

• 10+ years of industrial commissioning experience, preferably including complex manufacturing or high-hazard process facilities. 

• Demonstrated experience leading multi-disciplinary commissioning teams and interfacing with owners, EPC/GC contractors, and equipment vendors. 

• Experience supporting or leading production qualification, First Article, or Lot Acceptance activities on defense manufacturing or comparable programs is highly valued. 

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical field (ABET-accredited preferred); equivalent combination of education and extensive experience considered. 

• Strong knowledge of commissioning standards and practices, issue management, and documentation requirements for complex facilities. 

• Proven ability to develop commissioning plans, test procedures, and readiness assessment packages. 

• Excellent leadership, communication, and conflict-resolution skills; ability to brief senior and government audiences. 

• Ability and willingness to deploy to client manufacturing sites and federal installations for extended periods during design, construction, start-up, commissioning, and qualification phases. 

• Must be able to pass a general background check. 

• Must be able to speak fluent English (ability to speak Korean is a plus)

What Desired Skills You'll Bring: 

• A U.S. citizen is preferred 

• Ability to speak Korean 

• Active commissioning professional certification from a recognized industry organization. 

• Prior experience on defense manufacturing, ammunition/energetics, propellant, missile, or propulsion programs. 

• PE registration. 

• Experience with quality management systems, configuration control, and material/batch traceability in manufacturing environments. 

• Familiarity with DoD explosives safety and facility criteria as they relate to commissioning and operational readiness.