Manager of Commissioning HPC / Data Center

Our client is seeking an experienced, hands-on Manager of Commissioning to lead commissioning execution for a large-scale HPC and mission-critical data center facility in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Candidates can be based anywhere but must be available for regular travel and on-site presence to support project schedules, equipment startup, testing, energization, and turnover.

This role will own field execution of the commissioning lifecycle through Levels 1-5, ensuring electrical, mechanical, cooling, controls, and life-safety systems are installed, tested, documented, energized, and validated through Integrated Systems Testing (IST).

The Manager of Commissioning will serve as the primary on-site commissioning authority during project activities, partnering with general contractors, subcontractors, third-party commissioning agents, OEM technicians, design teams, construction leadership, and site operations. Key ResponsibilitiesCommissioning Execution

• Lead commissioning activities across electrical, mechanical, cooling, controls, and life-safety systems.
• Manage commissioning Levels 1-5, from equipment readiness and startup through functional testing and IST.
• Ensure commissioning aligns with design intent, Owner Project Requirements, applicable codes, approved plans, and project standards.
• Lead field verification, functional testing, troubleshooting, and issue resolution.
• Coordinate third-party commissioning agents, testing scripts, schedules, load-bank activities, and turnover requirements.
• Drive deficiencies and punch-list items through resolution and final acceptance.

Equipment Readiness & Turnover

• Verify FAT/FWT documentation, equipment readiness records, startup documentation, and commissioning deliverables.
• Coordinate equipment startup with OEM technicians.
• Review torque records, insulation resistance testing, grounding documentation, load-bank results, and startup records.
• Confirm documentation meets applicable project requirements and NETA, NEC, NFPA, IEEE, and ASHRAE standards.
• Partner with construction and MEP leadership to align installation sequencing with commissioning and turnover milestones.

Energization & Critical Activities

• Coordinate first-time energization and electrical system activation.
• Develop and manage Critical Methods of Procedure (CMOPs) for switching, energization, load-bank testing, and other high-risk activities.
• Coordinate switching and load-bank test plans with contractors, commissioning teams, and operations.
• Ensure participating personnel understand approved procedures and safety requirements.
• Support safe execution in live and mission-critical environments.

Schedule & Field Coordination

• Align commissioning milestones with construction schedules, OFCI deliveries, OEM startup, and site readiness.
• Identify critical-path risks and escalate schedule or readiness concerns.
• Resolve field discrepancies and sequencing conflicts with contractors, engineers, OEMs, and commissioning teams.
• Coordinate installation completion, testing readiness, and system turnover with MEP leadership.
• Partner with Facilities and Site Operations to maintain operational continuity during construction and commissioning.

Safety & Compliance

• Reinforce site safety requirements throughout commissioning.
• Ensure contractors, OEM technicians, and commissioning personnel follow site programs and applicable OSHA requirements.
• Support safe electrical switching, energized-system work, mechanical startup, and load-bank testing.
• Promote compliance with NFPA 70E and applicable electrical safety standards.

Reporting & Communication

• Provide commissioning updates to the Director of Construction & Commissioning.
• Report milestone progress, turnover status, deficiencies, schedule risks, and readiness concerns.
• Represent commissioning in stakeholder meetings, construction reviews, and project discussions.
• Maintain accurate issue logs, testing records, commissioning documentation, and turnover packages.

Network Operations Center, Commissioning, Commissioning, Network Operations Center, Willing to Travel, Travel Planning, System Start-Up, Project Schedule, System Test, Electricity, * 5+ years of hands-on commissioning experience in mission-critical environments such as data centers, HPC, semiconductor facilities, advanced manufacturing, power generation, or similar infrastructure.

• Experience commissioning systems in active or live mission-critical environments.
• Demonstrated experience with IST, load-bank testing, first-time energization, switching procedures, and CMOP development.
• Experience coordinating FAT/FWT documentation, equipment readiness, OEM startup, and turnover.
• Strong knowledge of electrical infrastructure, including high-voltage and low-voltage distribution.
• Working knowledge of mechanical and cooling systems, controls, BMS/EPMS, and fire/life-safety systems.
• Experience managing or coordinating third-party commissioning agents.
• Strong documentation, deficiency tracking, closeout, communication, and field problem-solving skills.
• Ability to travel regularly to Spartanburg, SC and maintain the on-site presence required by project and commissioning schedules.

Preferred Technology Experience

• CxAlloy
• Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC)
• Primavera P6
• Procore
• BIM 360, * Previous commissioning experience with hyperscale data centers, HPC, or large-scale AI infrastructure.
• OSHA 30 certification.
• NFPA 70E certification or equivalent electrical safety training.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher technical qualification in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field.
• Familiarity with NFPA, NEC, IEEE, NETA, and ASHRAE standards.