Job title: Commissioning Program Manager – Data Center
Client Location: Various locations across the USA. Please specify your preferred location when applying.
Remote work offering: Hybrid working, with on-site attendance at data center projects and travel between locations as required.
Client Industry: Data Centers / Mission-Critical Infrastructure
Employment type: Permanent or Contract
Project focus
We are looking for an experienced Commissioning Program Manager to oversee commissioning activities across data center developments, expansions, and infrastructure upgrades throughout the United States. This opportunity is suited to candidates with a strong background in mission-critical commissioning, technical project management, and multidisciplinary MEP systems.
You will oversee commissioning activities from design and construction through to testing, validation, and operational handover. Working closely with general contractors, subcontractors, design teams, commissioning authorities, equipment vendors, and data center operations teams, you will ensure critical systems are installed, tested, and validated in line with project specifications, quality standards, and operational requirements.
The role will involve overseeing Level 1 through Level 5 commissioning, coordinating Integrated Systems Testing (IST), developing commissioning standards and testing procedures, managing commissioning documentation, and resolving technical issues throughout the project lifecycle. You will also drive continuous improvement across commissioning processes, ensuring consistency and reliability across multiple data center projects.
Key skills and Experience required
- 5+ years of experience in data center commissioning, QA/QC, construction management, or other mission-critical environments.
- Experience overseeing commissioning activities across data center developments, expansions, or major infrastructure upgrades.
- Strong understanding of multidisciplinary systems, including electrical, mechanical, HVAC, and building automation and monitoring systems such as BMS and EPMS.
- Experience performing or overseeing Level 3 through Level 5 commissioning of critical infrastructure, including UPS, generators, switchgear, STS/ATS, and cooling systems.
- Comprehensive understanding of commissioning processes from Level 1 through Level 5, including functional testing, system integration, and Integrated Systems Testing (IST).
- Experience developing, reviewing, and implementing commissioning plans, testing scripts, procedures, scopes of work, and commissioning standards.
- Proven ability to coordinate general contractors, subcontractors, engineers of record, commissioning authorities (CxAs), equipment vendors, and internal stakeholders.
- Experience managing commissioning schedules, project scopes, testing activities, technical issues, and project reporting.
- Strong understanding of QA/QC processes, inspection documentation, issue tracking, compliance requirements, and operational readiness.
- Experience managing commissioning documentation, including test results, reports, as-built records, and final handover packages.
- Ability to lead commissioning teams, provide technical direction, resolve escalated issues, and maintain progress against project milestones.
- Familiarity with commissioning and construction management platforms such as CxAlloy, BIM 360, Facility Grid, Procore, or similar systems.
- Experience working with third-party commissioning authorities and supporting data center development programmes.
- Strong communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills
- A bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Building Services, or a related discipline is beneficial. Equivalent industry experience will also be considered.
- A recognized commissioning certification is beneficial, while PMP certification is an advantage.
Location and employment options
We are supporting data center developments and mission-critical infrastructure projects across the United States and welcome applications from experienced Commissioning Program Managers based nationwide.
Where possible, candidates will be matched to opportunities based on their current or preferred location. The role involves travel between project locations as required, with travel potentially reaching 40% depending on project and business needs.
Please specify your current location, preferred work location, willingness to travel, and relevant commissioning or program management experience when applying.
If this role is of interest, please apply with an updated resume.
Darwin Recruitment is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.
Marvin Mills