Sr. Data Center Commissioning Manager at LotusWorks, Charlotte, NC
Sr. Data Center Commissioning Manager at LotusWorks in Charlotte, NC. Contract. Est. up to $130k. Apply with swipeandhired.
LotusWorks is an Engineering Services provider specializing in managing Commissioning, Construction Services, Calibration, Operations & Maintenance scopes of work within global manufacturing facilities. LotusWorks operates globally across EMEA and North America partnering with the world's leading manufacturers across the Semiconductor, Pharmaceutical & Biologics, Medical Device and Data Center sectors. Our team of Engineering and Technical professionals is immersed in cutting-edge technologies and innovations. LotusWorks is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace, integral to our people-first approach.
The Commissioning Manager is responsible for the end-to-end commissioning program for mission-critical facility systems, including planning, execution, documentation, integrated testing, and turnover. This role serves as the primary point of accountability for ensuring MEP, controls, and life-safety systems perform in accordance with the Basis of Design (BOD) and Owner's Project Requirements (OPR) prior to acceptance by the operations team. The position coordinates closely with owners, construction management, contractors, design engineers, controls integrators, authorities, utilities, and facility operations teams throughout the commissioning lifecycle.
Responsibilities:
- Develop and maintain the Commissioning Plan, commissioning specifications, and Level 1–5 commissioning definitions.
- Review the OPR, BOD, design drawings, sequences of operation, and submittals for commissionability and testability.
- Develop the integrated commissioning schedule and coordinate commissioning activities with the Construction Manager's master schedule.
- Define commissioning milestones, system readiness requirements, and gating criteria.
- Establish commissioning budgets, staffing requirements, and test equipment and instrumentation needs.
- Establish and maintain commissioning issue logs, document control processes, and commissioning software workflows.
- Utilize commissioning platforms such as CxAlloy, BlueRithm, Facility Grid, or similar systems to manage commissioning execution and documentation.
- Direct commissioning engineers and field technicians, assign systems, and coordinate activities with contractor startup teams.
- Author, review, and approve pre-functional checklists, Functional Performance Tests (FPTs), and Integrated Systems Testing (IST) scripts.
- Develop and execute failure scenario testing including utility loss, generator and UPS transfers, chiller failover, and controls loss.
- Witness Level 2 and Level 3 factory, site startup, and QA/QC activities.
- Direct Level 4 functional performance testing and lead Level 5 Integrated Systems Testing under load.
- Manage load bank strategy, Method of Procedure (MOP) reviews, and energized-work safety controls.
- Chair commissioning coordination meetings and drive identified issues through corrective action, re-testing, and final closure.
- Escalate commissioning schedule, quality, technical, and system readiness risks to the owner and Construction Manager.
- Coordinate with BMS and EPMS integrators to verify point-to-point testing, trending, alarms, graphics, and system functionality.
- Own the commissioning issues log through final closure and independently verify corrective work prior to acceptance.
- Manage commissioning test data, trend logs, system records, and supporting evidence packages.
- Produce the Final Commissioning Report, systems manual inputs, and project lessons learned.
- Verify O&M manuals, as-built documentation, operator training, and warranty documentation are complete prior to system turnover.
- Lead coordination of operator training and ensure operations personnel participate in and witness key system testing activities.
- Establish and execute system turnover criteria and coordinate seasonal or deferred testing requirements.
- Support first-year warranty issues and post-occupancy system performance verification.
- Coordinate commissioning interfaces with the owner's representative, project management, CM/GC, MEP subcontractors, controls integrators, design engineers, AHJ/fire marshal, utilities, and facility O&M teams.
- Participate in hiring, promotion, and disciplinary decisions, employee evaluations, and the development of team members.
- Maintain accountability for commissioning program performance, financial objectives, client satisfaction, quality, and successful project delivery.
- Exercise independent judgment and decision-making authority over commissioning program priorities, staffing, resource allocation, budgets, and operational execution.
- Provide leadership and management oversight of assigned commissioning engineers, managers, and technical personnel, including employee development, performance management, and workforce planning.
- Any other duties or responsibilities that may be assigned to you in your role.
Skills Required:
- Extensive experience managing commissioning programs for mission-critical or data center facilities.
- Strong knowledge of Level 1–5 commissioning processes, including startup, functional performance testing, and Integrated Systems Testing.
- Strong understanding of MEP, controls, and life-safety systems and their integration within mission-critical facilities.
- Working knowledge of medium-voltage switchgear, generators, UPS systems, chilled water and air-cooled plants, BMS, EPMS, and fire suppression systems.
- Experience developing commissioning plans, specifications, schedules, test procedures, and turnover requirements.
- Ability to review OPR, BOD, design drawings, sequences of operation, submittals, and technical documentation.
- Experience developing and executing failure scenarios and integrated testing under load.
- Strong understanding of load bank testing, MOPs, system energization, and energized-work safety controls.
- Experience with CxAlloy, BlueRithm, Facility Grid, or similar commissioning management platforms.
- Working knowledge of Uptime Tier and TIA-942 criteria.
- Working knowledge of NFPA 70, NFPA 72, NFPA 110, and applicable ASHRAE standards.
- Strong issue management, troubleshooting, and technical problem-solving capabilities.
- Ability to manage commissioning engineers, field technicians, contractors, and multiple technical disciplines.
- Strong leadership, stakeholder management, and decision-making skills.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong organizational, documentation, and reporting capabilities.
- Ability to coordinate effectively with owners, contractors, design engineers, controls integrators, AHJs, utilities, and facility operations teams.
Education / Licenses / Certifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management, or related technical field preferred.
- Certified Commissioning Authority (CxA) certification preferred.
- Certified Commissioning Professional (CCP), Qualified Commissioning Process Provider (QCxP), or Certified Building Commissioning Professional (CBCP) certification preferred.
- Engineer-in-Training (EIT), Professional Engineer (PE), or applicable trade license preferred.
- Proof of education, licenses, and certifications will be required where applicable.
Benefits:
- Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
- Life, Short-Term, Long-Term Disability Insurance
- Training and Education Assistance
- 401k Retirement Plan
- Extra Annual Leave with Years of Service
- Maternity/Paternity Leave
- Recognition Rewards
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LotusWorks is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered.