Project Commissioning Lead

Function

Quality & Commissioning Management

Reports To

Project QCx Manager

Location

Project Type

Data Center / Mission-Critical EPC

Role Purpose

Lead the project commissioning function for a major data center project from design and procurement through construction, start-up, integrated systems testing and handover. The role translates Owner/Tenant requirements and the Project Commissioning Plan into a system-based execution program covering Levels 1-5, directs the discipline commissioning team, and provides the Project QCx Manager with accurate readiness, risk and performance information. The position is site-based during execution and works in close coordination with Construction while retaining independent authority to verify readiness and acceptance evidence.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain and execute the Project Commissioning Plan, commissioning schedule, systemization strategy and Levels 1-5 turnover roadmap.
• Lead and coordinate Mechanical, Electrical and BAS commissioning engineers, vendors, subcontractors and third-party commissioning stakeholders.
• Manage readiness gates, test procedures, pre-functional and functional testing, integrated systems testing, issue resolution and system acceptance.
• Control commissioning documentation, completion status, deficiencies, turnover dossiers and performance reporting in the approved completions platform.
• Advise the Project QCx Manager on commissioning risk, staffing, schedule recovery, client interfaces and final handover readiness.
• Establish system and subsystem boundaries, tag populations, turnover packages, commissioning sequences and acceptance criteria with Engineering, Construction and the Owner/Tenant.
• Review design documents, sequences of operation, control narratives, specifications and vendor submittals for commissionability, maintainability, testability and access.
• Integrate commissioning activities into the Level 3/4 project schedule, including predecessor logic for construction completion, energization, controls readiness, TAB, flushing, vendor start-up and IST.
• Chair commissioning coordination and readiness meetings; issue look-ahead plans, constraint logs and escalation actions.
• Approve discipline test scripts and ensure prerequisites, permits, calibrated instruments, safe work controls, witnesses and acceptance criteria are confirmed before testing.
• Coordinate energization and start-up boundaries with Construction and HSE; ensure commissioning does not proceed without approved safe systems of work.
• Manage commissioning issues and retesting to closure; prevent open deficiencies from being transferred without documented risk acceptance and ownership.
• Coordinate training, O&M manuals, spare parts, warranties, seasonal/deferred testing and final handover records.
• Monitor progress, first-pass yield, test completion, issue aging and forecast dates; provide weekly dashboards and exception-based reporting.
• Support proposal planning, resource loading, lessons learned and continuous improvement when assigned before mobilization or across projects.

Professional Experience & Education

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Controls, Building Services or related Engineering discipline; equivalent commissioning experience may be accepted.
• Typically 10+ years in commissioning/start-up of complex EPC or design-build projects, including at least 5 years leading multidisciplinary commissioning teams.
• Required data center experience, including mission-critical electrical and mechanical systems and integrated systems testing.
• Demonstrated leadership of system completion, energization, functional performance testing and turnover under demanding schedules.
• Preferred experience with digital completions management platforms and multi-site or international project environments.

Specific Skills & Knowledge

• Advanced knowledge of Levels 1-5 commissioning, systems completion, turnover and integrated testing.
• Ability to read and challenge one-lines, P&IDs, control narratives, cause-and-effect matrices and sequences of operation.
• Commissioning scheduling, constraint management, resource forecasting and KPI analysis.
• Strong technical writing, meeting leadership, client communication and evidence-based decision-making.
• Working knowledge of applicable codes, NFPA standards, manufacturer requirements and data center reliability concepts.

Core Competencies

• Accountable leadership and sound escalation judgment.
• Cross-functional coordination and constructive challenge.
• Systematic planning with strong attention to…