Commissioning Lead

Harbor Compute; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 190,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance (fully covered)

Carrier choice (Aetna, Cigna, BCBS, UH

PEO-based plan options

Unlimited PTO

Job summary

Harbor Compute is seeking a Commissioning Lead to transition campuses from construction into operation, leading the commissioning of critical MEP systems and handing them to operations teams. The role reports to the EVP, Delivery and targets on-time turnover with zero defects.

In the first year, success means commissioning completed on schedule, zero critical defects, and a playbook to accelerate future projects. Strong leadership and hands-on data center experience are essential.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of construction PM with direct involvement in commissioning critical MEP systems.
• Hands-on data center or mission-critical facilities experience (hyperscale, colocation or similar).
• Solid command of contract structures (GMP, lump sum, NTE, MSAs) and invoicing processes (pay applications, lien waivers, retention).
• Proficiency in Procore, Bluebeam, MS Project or P6, and standard Microsoft Office tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead commissioning of critical MEP systems across new data center builds, from integrated systems testing through final handoff to operations.
• Own the full project lifecycle for assigned scopes - pre-construction planning, design development, permitting, competitive bid, construction oversight and closeout.
• Manage general contractors, vendors and trade partners on-site, holding teams to Harbor's safety standards, quality benchmarks and schedule commitments.
• Drive OAC and stakeholder meetings, track budgets and produce monthly forecasts and variance analyses.
• Coordinate OFCI equipment logistics and ensure all project documentation transfers cleanly to operations at turnover.
• Partner with internal subject matter experts through all design phases, translating technical requirements into actionable scopes and schedules.
• Mentor and develop junior project team members as the portfolio grows.

Skills

PM experience

Data center experience

Contracts & invoicing

PM tools

On-site management

Tools

Procore

Bluebeam

MS Project

Primavera P6

Job description

About Harbor Compute

Harbor Compute builds, owns, and operates the data centers that power frontier AI, turning land, energy, and engineering into usable AI infrastructure. We do so responsibly and in partnership with the communities where we build, with energy strategies that strengthen power resilience, economics that allow host communities to share in the upside, a focus on local suppliers whenever possible, and siting and design shaped by local input.

About The Role

As Commissioning Lead, you'll own the moment our campuses cross from construction into operation - standing up critical mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems and handing them off to operations teams ready to support frontier AI workloads. This role reports to EVP, Delivery

In your first year, success looks like: commissioning completed on schedule, zero critical defects at turnover, and a playbook that makes every future project faster and cleaner than the last.

What you'll do

• Lead commissioning of critical MEP systems across new data center builds, from integrated systems testing through final handoff to operations
• Own the full project lifecycle for assigned scopes - pre-construction planning, design development, permitting, competitive bid, construction oversight and closeout
• Manage general contractors, vendors and trade partners on-site, holding teams to Harbor's safety standards, quality benchmarks and schedule commitments
• Drive OAC and stakeholder meetings, track budgets and produce monthly forecasts and variance analyses
• Coordinate OFCI equipment logistics and ensure all project documentation transfers cleanly to operations at turnover
• Partner with internal subject matter experts through all design phases, translating technical requirements into actionable scopes and schedules
• Mentor and develop junior project team members as the portfolio grows

What you'll bring

• 5+ years of construction project management experience with direct involvement in commissioning critical MEP systems
• Hands-on data center or mission-critical facilities experience (hyperscale, colocation or similar)
• Solid command of contract structures (GMP, lump sum, NTE, MSAs) and invoicing processes (pay applications, lien waivers, retention)
• Proficiency in Procore, Bluebeam, MS Project or P6, and standard Microsoft Office tools
• Demonstrated ability to manage general contractors and vendors on active construction sites, including contractor safety oversight

Nice to have

• Owner's representative background
• Design-build delivery experience
• OSHA 30 certification or equivalent site-safety credential

Compensation

The base salary range for this role is expected to be $190,000 - $240,000. The starting salary will be determined by job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and market location, with consideration for market alignment and internal equity. In addition to base salary, our total rewards package includes equity and a comprehensive benefits program, based on eligibility.

Benefits

• Health insurance, fully covered: Harbor pays 100% of premiums for you and your family.
• Your choice of carrier: Choose from national carriers such as Aetna, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealthcare, with plans that vary by deductible, out-of-pocket maximum, network and coverage level. Availability varies by state.
• Big-company plan options: We offer insurance through a Professional Employer Organization (PEO), which gives our growing team access to the range of plans usually found at much larger employers.
• Unlimited PTO: We trust you to know when you need to rest and recharge. Plan time off with your manager around the needs of your team.

Harbor Compute is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome people of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected status. If you need an accommodation at any point in the hiring process, let us know.