How to apply for Commissioning and Project Manager (f/m/x)

About IONITY

IONITY is Europe's leading high-power charging network, transforming long-distance EV travel into an enjoyable and sustainable journey. With a mission to make electric mobility accessible and convenient, IONITY operates a growing network of reliable 350 kW chargers across 24 countries. Working here means being at the forefront of the e-mobility revolution, helping to shape the future of transportation.

About the role

As a Commissioning and Project Manager, you are the linchpin ensuring that IONITY's charging sites are successfully commissioned and operational projects are delivered on time. You coordinate internal teams, external partners, and stakeholders to resolve risks and blockers, directly impacting the reliability and expansion of IONITY's network. This role is critical for maintaining seamless handovers from Network Development to Network Operations and for upholding the highest technical and quality standards.

A typical day

A typical day might involve coordinating with Field Service Engineers to resolve a commissioning issue at a site in Germany, reviewing electrical drawings for a new site in France, and updating project documentation while communicating progress to management. You'll also participate in cross-functional meetings to align on handover processes and ensure smooth operations.

Who IONITY is looking for

• Proven project management experience in electrical engineering, ideally within EV charging, power distribution, or renewable energy sectors.
• Strong technical background in low-voltage electrical systems, with the ability to review electrical drawings and verify installations.
• Excellent coordination and communication skills, capable of managing multiple stakeholders and external service partners across different time zones.
• Experience with commissioning processes, ticketing systems, and documentation, with a proactive approach to risk identification and resolution.

Tips for this application

• Highlight specific projects where you coordinated commissioning of electrical installations, especially if they involved high-power or DC fast-charging systems.
• Demonstrate familiarity with European electrical standards (e.g., IEC 60364, VDE) and experience with low-voltage component configuration.
• Emphasize your ability to work remotely and manage cross-functional teams, as IONITY operates across Europe with a distributed workforce.
• Showcase any experience with ticketing systems (e.g., Jira, ServiceNow) and documentation tools, as the role requires maintaining accurate commissioning tickets.
• Mention your passion for e-mobility and sustainability, aligning with IONITY's mission to make long-distance EV travel enjoyable and sustainable.

What to cover in your cover letter

In your cover letter, focus on: (1) your hands-on experience commissioning electrical systems, particularly in EV charging or similar high-voltage environments; (2) your project management skills in coordinating multiple stakeholders and resolving blockers; (3) your technical ability to review electrical drawings and support field engineers; and (4) your motivation to contribute to IONITY's mission of expanding sustainable mobility across Europe.

Research before applying

• Study IONITY's network expansion plans and recent site openings to understand their scale and operational challenges.
• Learn about the technical specifications of IONITY's chargers (e.g., 350 kW, 800V architecture) and the electrical infrastructure required for high-power charging.
• Investigate IONITY's partnerships with automakers (e.g., BMW, Ford, Hyundai, Mercedes, Volkswagen) and how they influence network operations.
• Understand the regulatory and compliance landscape for EV charging in key European markets, as the role involves compliance-related projects.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• Walk us through a commissioning project you managed from start to finish. What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?
• How do you ensure effective handover from development to operations? Describe your approach to documentation and stakeholder alignment.
• Explain your experience with low-voltage electrical components and how you verify installations against technical specifications.
• How do you prioritize and resolve risks and blockers when multiple sites are in different stages of commissioning?
• What tools and methods do you use to track project progress and communicate status updates to management and external partners?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Avoid generic project management language; instead, use specific examples of commissioning electrical systems and resolving technical issues.
• Do not downplay the technical aspects of the role; candidates who focus only on soft skills may be seen as lacking the necessary electrical engineering background.
• Avoid ignoring the remote and cross-border nature of the role; highlight your ability to work effectively in a distributed team and manage stakeholders across Europe.