Project Commissioning Lead

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Project Commissioning Lead

Confidential Client | Data Center Project | Greater Chicago, Illinois

Function

Quality & Commissioning Management

Reports To

Project QCx Manager

Location

Greater Chicago, Illinois - project site / field-based

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 configuration and evidence.
• Calm decision-making during live-system testing and recovery.
• Coaching, delegation and performance management.

Travel & Working Environment

The position is primarily site-based in Lisle, Illinois, with travel to vendors or other project locations as required. The role requires regular work in active construction and commissioning environments and the ability to safely access project areas, use required PPE and visually inspect installed work and test indications.

TEC Group International is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.