Commissioning Engineering Leader-AI Data Centers

Kimmel & Associates, Inc.; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 165,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Comprehensive benefits

Travel expenses covered

Saratoga Springs HQ preferred

Job summary

Kimmel & Associates, Inc. seeks a Commissioning Engineering Leader to serve as the owner's technical authority for commissioning across its AI data center portfolio. The role reports to the CTO and will build the commissioning program from the ground up, traveling nationwide 50–70% to sites from FAT through COD.

The ideal candidate has Tier III/IV live experience, authored IST scripts, and hands-on testing skills across switchgear, UPS, gens, cooling, and BMS/EPMS.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 7+ years of data center commissioning experience.
• Led at least one Tier III or Tier IV data center from SAT through IST to COD.
• Written IST scripts and run integrated failure-mode testing.
• Hands-on experience with switchgear, UPS, generators, cooling, and BMS/EPMS.

Responsibilities

• Develop the owner's commissioning standard and IST protocols for each facility type.
• Witness FAT of switchgear, UPS, generators, chillers, CDUs and BESS before shipment.
• Lead SAT and IST, including power-on, redundancy and N+1/2N testing.
• Oversee BMS/EPMS integration and testing.
• Commission BESS and direct cooling systems.
• Drive punch lists to closure and COD readiness certification.
• Support Uptime Institute Tier Certification efforts.
• Direct GC/MEP/OEMs and third‑party commissioning agents on site.
• Travel 50–70% nationally.

Skills

IST scripting

FAT/SAT/IST

Power systems

BMS EPMS

Travel 50-70%

Education

B.S. in Electrical or Mechanical Eng

Job description

About the Company

Our client is a developer and owner of AI data center infrastructure, building a national network of power-dense AI inference data centers with on-site battery energy storage.

The company is delivering this network in partnership with a leading hyperscale cloud platform, rolling out hub, satellite and spoke facilities across a large national real estate portfolio.

The organization offers experienced mission‑critical professionals the opportunity to build core programs from the ground up during a period of significant growth.

About the Position

Our client is seeking a Commissioning Engineering Leader to serve as the owner's technical authority for commissioning across its AI data center portfolio.

Reporting to the Chief Technology Officer, this leader will build the owner's commissioning program from the ground up and lead it on site, from factory acceptance testing through Commercial Operation Date (COD). The role requires 50–70% national travel.

The ideal candidate has signed off on Tier III or Tier IV data centers going live, has personally authored IST scripts, and wants to build a commissioning program rather than run someone else's.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop the owner's commissioning standard, including commissioning plans and IST protocols for each facility type (hub, satellite and spoke).
• Witness factory acceptance testing (FAT) of switchgear, UPS, generators, chillers, CDUs and BESS before equipment ships.
• Lead site acceptance testing (SAT) and integrated systems testing (IST), including power‑on, redundancy and failure‑mode testing of N+1/2N systems.
• Oversee BMS/EPMS integration and testing.
• Commission battery energy storage systems and direct liquid cooling (CDU / cold plate) systems.
• Drive punch lists to closure and issue COD readiness certification for each facility.
• Support Uptime Institute Tier Certification efforts.
• Direct general contractors, MEP subcontractors, OEMs and third‑party commissioning agents on site.
• Travel 50–70% to active construction and commissioning sites nationally.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• 7+ years of data center commissioning experience.
• Has led at least one Tier III or Tier IV data center from SAT through IST to COD.
• Has written IST scripts and run integrated failure‑mode testing, not only executed others' checklists.
• Hands‑on experience with switchgear, UPS, generators, chilled water / precision cooling and BMS/EPMS.
• Mission‑critical data center commissioning experience; commercial, office, healthcare or HVAC‑only backgrounds will not be considered.
• Ability and willingness to travel 50–70% nationally.

Preferred Certifications & Qualifications:

• BESS commissioning experience (LFP batteries, inverters, protection relay testing).
• Liquid cooling, CDU or direct‑to‑chip commissioning experience.
• CxA, ASHRAE commissioning or NETA certification.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Uptime Institute Tier Certification experience (ATS or ATD).

Benefits

• $165,000–$230,000 base salary, depending on experience and qualifications.
• Annual bonus.
• Comprehensive benefits package.
• Travel expenses fully covered.
• Saratoga Springs, NY headquarters preferred; candidates near a major hub airport will be considered.

Opportunity to build and lead the owner's commissioning program for a national AI data center rollout.