Commissioning Program Engineer

Daksta | Connecting Mission Critical Talent; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Daksta | Connecting Mission Critical Talent is seeking a Commissioning Program Engineer to lead the commissioning lifecycle across a portfolio of data center developments. You will own planning, RFP through IST, closeout, and turnover, coordinating with construction, design, operations, vendors, and third-party CxAs.

The role requires 5+ years in commissioning or mission-critical construction, a mechanical or electrical engineering background, and strong leadership to drive testing, issue

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or equivalent
• 5+ years in commissioning/MEP/mission-critical construction
• 2+ years delivering data center projects

Responsibilities

• Own and oversee the L2–L5 commissioning lifecycle across multiple data center projects.
• Lead commissioning from RFP, scoping, budgeting, and scheduling through testing, closeout, and turnover.
• Manage commissioning plans, pre-functional checklists, FPT, IST scripts, issue logs, and final reports.
• Provide technical direction to contractors, equipment vendors, project teams, and third-party CxAs.
• Oversee testing of critical MEP infrastructure, including power distribution, UPS, generators, switchgear/ATS, cooling systems, BMS, EPMS, and fire/life safety systems.
• Lead and govern Integrated Systems Testing (IST), including failure scenarios, load-bank testing, utility-loss simulations, equipment transfers, and controls responses.
• Integrate commissioning activities with design, procurement, construction, and equipment delivery schedules.
• Drive technical issues through triage, root-cause analysis, corrective action, and final closure.
• Track commissioning KPIs, budgets, forecasts, schedules, and turnover quality.
• Coordinate with Operations to ensure training, documentation, operational readiness, and a successful handover.
• Capture lessons learned and help develop and standardize commissioning practices across a growing portfolio.

Skills

Commissioning lifecycle

Project management

MEP systems knowledge

FPT IST testing

Communication leadership

Travel 20%

Education

Bachelor degree in Mechanical/Electrical

Job description

This Posting is for Austin, Chicago & Phoenix Roles

About the Company

Our client is seeking an experienced Commissioning Program Engineer to lead commissioning across a portfolio of mission-critical data center developments.

About the Role

Acting as an owner’s representative, you will own the commissioning lifecycle from planning and RFP through L2–L5 testing, Integrated Systems Testing (IST), closeout, and operational turnover. You’ll work closely with construction, design, operations, contractors, equipment vendors, and third-party Commissioning Agents (CxAs) to deliver safe, reliable, and defect-free data center capacity.

Responsibilities

• Own and oversee the L2–L5 commissioning lifecycle across multiple data center projects.
• Lead commissioning from RFP, scoping, budgeting, and scheduling through testing, closeout, and turnover.
• Manage commissioning plans, pre-functional checklists, Functional Performance Testing (FPT), IST scripts, issue logs, and final reports.
• Provide technical direction to contractors, equipment vendors, project teams, and third-party CxAs.
• Oversee testing of critical MEP infrastructure, including power distribution, UPS, generators, switchgear/ATS, cooling systems, BMS, EPMS, and fire/life safety systems.
• Lead and govern Integrated Systems Testing (IST), including failure scenarios, load-bank testing, utility-loss simulations, equipment transfers, and controls responses.
• Integrate commissioning activities with design, procurement, construction, and equipment delivery schedules.
• Drive technical issues through triage, root-cause analysis, corrective action, and final closure.
• Track commissioning KPIs, budgets, forecasts, schedules, and turnover quality.
• Coordinate with Operations to ensure training, documentation, operational readiness, and a successful handover.
• Capture lessons learned and help develop and standardize commissioning practices across a growing portfolio.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent mission-critical/data center experience.
• 5+ years of experience in commissioning, MEP engineering, or mission-critical construction, including 2+ years delivering data center projects.

Required Skills

• Strong knowledge of the L0–L5 mission-critical commissioning lifecycle.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple projects and/or leading commissioning teams.
• Strong technical knowledge of mission-critical MEP systems, including UPS, generators, switchgear, ATS, power distribution, chilled-water and air/liquid cooling, BMS, EPMS, and fire/life safety.
• Experience with Functional Performance Testing (FPT) and Integrated Systems Testing (IST).
• Ability to interpret construction drawings, specifications, sequences of operation, and technical documentation.
• Familiarity with relevant standards and codes, including ASHRAE, NEC, and NFPA.
• Strong communication and leadership skills with the ability to manage vendors, lead technical discussions, and report to senior stakeholders.
• Willingness to work regularly within active construction/data center environments and travel approximately 20% as project requirements dictate.

Preferred Skills

• Owner/developer-side commissioning experience, hyperscale data centers, AI/GPU infrastructure, liquid or direct-to-chip cooling, commissioning program development, and certifications such as ACG CxA, BCxP, EIT, or PE.

Equal Opportunity Statement

This is an opportunity to take a leading role within a growing mission-critical data center portfolio, with significant ownership and technical influence. Work on large-scale, technically complex data center developments. Influence commissioning standards and best practices across a growing portfolio. Gain exposure to hyperscale, AI/GPU, high-density, and liquid-cooled infrastructure. Work closely with senior leadership and multidisciplinary engineering, construction, and operations teams. Play a key role in developing and scaling the commissioning function. Competitive compensation and benefits package.