Commissioning Engineer Jobs in Tennessee
Commissioning engineer jobs in Tennessee are actively hiring, with strong demand concentrated in manufacturing, automotive, energy, and building systems sectors at levels from entry-level field technician through senior project lead. Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga anchor the bulk of openings, with established employers like Volkswagen Group of America, Tennessee Valley Authority, and Emerson Electric maintaining consistent hiring pipelines in the state. The most in-demand specialties are HVAC and building controls commissioning, industrial automation, and electrical systems for large-scale manufacturing facilities. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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TFE, Inc. is seeking multiple levels of Nuclear Commissioning Engineers.
Founded in 1989, TFE, Inc. provides professional, technical, and administrative personnel and services in the U.S. nuclear energy complex and other commercial ventures. At TFE we know our employees are the key to our success. We value their ideas and opinions and want to help them grow in knowledge, skills, and abilities. TFE provides competitive pay, generous PTO, paid holidays, and a top-notch employee assistance program. Our benefit offerings include an excellent 401k plan, medical, dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, and other ancillary benefits.
Nuclear Commissioning Engineers bridge the gap between construction and full-scale operations. You will be responsible for planning, executing, and documenting the testing and commissioning of complex nuclear systems, process equipment, and safety-critical components. The ideal candidate will ensure that all systems are safely transitioned into service in strict compliance with engineering specifications, safety standards, and regulatory requirements.
Key Responsibilities
- Test Planning & Execution: Develop, review, and execute detailed commissioning plans, pre-operational test procedures, and startup protocols for nuclear facility systems.
- System Turnover Management: Manage the system turnover process from construction to operations, including preparing, tracking, and closing out punch-lists and final documentation packages.
- Testing & Validation: Oversee and document cold and hot functional testing, Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT).
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all commissioning activities adhere to strict nuclear safety culture guidelines, Quality Assurance programs (e.g., ASME NQA-1), and applicable federal regulations (NRC / DOE).
- Issue Resolution: Identify, document, and troubleshoot system anomalies, design discrepancies, and non-conformances. Coordinate root-cause analysis and corrective actions.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Serve as a primary interface between construction contractors, design engineering, plant operations, quality control, and regulatory reviewers.
Required Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Nuclear, Mechanical, Electrical, or Chemical Engineering, or a related technical discipline. Equivalent combination of education and extensive nuclear experience may be considered.
- Experience: Nuclear power generation, government nuclear facilities, or heavily regulated high-hazard industrial environments. Minimum requirements by level: Junior (3-5 years), Mid-level (5-10 years), Lead (10+years) and SMEs (15+ years)
- Technical Expertise: Demonstrated experience in nuclear system testing, startup operations, or component commissioning.
- Blueprint Proficiency: Strong ability to read, interpret, and work from complex P&IDs, electrical one-lines, logic diagrams, and instrument loop drawings.
- Safety Culture: Deep understanding of nuclear safety standards, Conduct of Operations, and work control processes.
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous experience working within [DOE (Department of Energy) / NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission)] regulated facilities.
- Familiarity with ASME NQA-1 Quality Assurance requirements.
- Professional Engineer (PE) license or specific system certifications.
- Ability to obtain DOE Q Clearance / Active Secret, etc.
Working Conditions & Physical Demands
- Must be able to access all areas of a nuclear/industrial site, which may include climbing stairs, ladders, and walking on uneven surfaces.
- May require wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), including respirators or anti-contamination clothing when necessary.
Disclaimer
This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position and is not a complete list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with it.
TFE, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.
If you are an applicant with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability or unable to use the online application system and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact Human Resources at (803)279-0331 ext. 1.
See All 10 Commissioning Engineer Jobs in Tennessee
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Where Tennessee roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Commissioning Engineer Job Market in Tennessee
A snapshot from current Tennessee openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Construction & Real Estate
What Tennessee Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in commissioning engineer jobs across Tennessee.
- Bachelor's degree in electrical, mechanical, or systems engineering from an accredited program
- Professional Engineer license issued or recognized by the Tennessee State Board of Architectural and Engineering Examiners
- Hands-on experience with building automation systems or industrial control systems
- Proficiency with commissioning documentation including functional performance test protocols
- Familiarity with ASHRAE commissioning standards and LEED commissioning process requirements
- Ability to travel to project sites across Tennessee and surrounding region as required
Commissioning Engineer Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a commissioning engineer in Tennessee?
The standard path in Tennessee begins with a bachelor's degree in electrical, mechanical, or systems engineering, followed by gaining field experience under a licensed Professional Engineer. Licensure through the Tennessee State Board of Architectural and Engineering Examiners requires passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam and then the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam after meeting the experience threshold. Many Tennessee employers also value the Certified Commissioning Professional credential from the Building Commissioning Association for building systems roles.
How much do commissioning engineers make in Tennessee?
Commissioning engineers in Tennessee earn a median of about $96,640 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $54,620 for the lowest 10% to over $155,960 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire commissioning engineers in Tennessee?
Employers hiring commissioning engineers in Tennessee right now include Spring Automation, CAI, and Akima, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Tennessee's concentration of automotive manufacturing, TVA energy infrastructure, and large commercial construction projects keeps demand from established industrial and facilities contractors steady throughout the year.
Which Tennessee cities have the most commissioning engineer jobs?
Nashville, Oak Ridge, and Memphis consistently post the most commissioning engineer openings in Tennessee. Nashville drives volume through large commercial construction and healthcare facility projects, Knoxville benefits from proximity to Oak Ridge national laboratory and TVA operations, and Chattanooga has grown significantly as a hub for automotive and advanced manufacturing commissioning tied to Volkswagen and its supplier network.
Are there remote commissioning engineer jobs in Tennessee?
Yes, but they're rare. Commissioning engineering is fundamentally a hands-on, site-based role that requires physical presence to test, verify, and document equipment and systems, so fully remote positions are uncommon. About 33% of commissioning engineer openings tied to Tennessee are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those tend to cover pre-commissioning documentation, design review, or project coordination work rather than active field commissioning tasks.
How can I get hired as a commissioning engineer in Tennessee with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for field technician or commissioning technician roles at Tennessee-based mechanical and electrical contractors, where you work alongside licensed engineers on active projects. Tennessee Valley Authority and large industrial contractors operating in the Knoxville and Chattanooga corridors regularly bring on associates and junior engineers through structured new-graduate programs. Completing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam early and building experience in HVAC, controls, or electrical testing roles gives candidates a measurable edge over general applicants.
Where can I find and apply to commissioning engineer jobs in Tennessee?
You can find and apply to commissioning engineer jobs in Tennessee on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers actively hiring in the state. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to those employers without any extra steps in between.
See All 10 Commissioning Engineer Jobs in Tennessee
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