Director, Data Center Turnover & Commissioning

Jacobs; Appleton (WI); Hybrid; USD 183,000 - 251,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) plan

Stock options

Unlimited PPTO

Seven paid holidays

Caregiver leave

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a Leader of Turnover, Startup & Commissioning for its AI Data Center portfolio. You will lead geographically dispersed teams, develop system-based strategies, and ensure complete readiness from construction through turnover and client handover.

The role requires extensive experience in data centers and complex projects, with strong leadership and collaboration across multiple groups. The position supports a hybrid working model with travel to project locations, offering

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline. Equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
• 12+ years of progressive experience in construction completion, turnover, startup, commissioning, or related execution roles on data centers, mission-critical facilities, or similarly complex projects.
• Strong understanding of systems-based construction completion, turnover, startup, energization, and commissioning processes.
• Working knowledge of electrical, mechanical, controls, HVAC, and critical utility/infrastructure systems common to data centers.
• Advanced ability to read and interpret construction drawings, including single-line diagrams, P&IDs, schematics, equipment layouts, and control documentation.
• Experience developing and implementing standardized processes, procedures, documentation, and digital workflows across multiple projects.
• Strong leadership, communication, stakeholder-management, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to provide leadership presence on active construction sites, including appropriate PPE and client-facing activities.
• OSHA 30 certification required or ability to obtain.
• Ability and willingness to travel to project locations as required.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement AIDC turnover, startup, and commissioning strategies, standards, and execution plans across projects and regions.
• Lead systemization, boundary development, turnover sequencing, and commissioning readiness planning in alignment with construction and master project schedules.
• Provide leadership and technical oversight for construction completion, walkdowns, punchlists, pre-functional testing, startup, energization, functional testing, and integrated systems testing.
• Establish clear readiness criteria and stage-gate requirements for progression from construction through turnover, startup, commissioning, and final client acceptance.
• Coordinate activities among Construction, Field Quality, Engineering, OEMs, trade partners, commissioning teams, and client stakeholders.
• Ensure required testing, inspections, documentation, and turnover records are complete, accurate, and readily accessible.
• Drive standardized turnover packages, commissioning documentation, workflows, and digital tools across the AIDC portfolio.
• Provide technical leadership in the interpretation of drawings, specifications, system architecture, controls, and commissioning requirements.
• Identify systemic execution issues and lead cross-functional resolution to protect safety, quality, schedule, and commissioning readiness.
• Develop organizational capability through team leadership, mentoring, lessons learned, and continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Stakeholder management

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline

Job description

Jacobs is seeking a Leader of Turnover, Startup & Commissioning for its AI Data Center portfolio. You will lead geographically dispersed teams, develop system-based strategies, and ensure complete readiness from construction through turnover and client handover.

The role requires extensive experience in data centers and complex projects, with strong leadership and collaboration across multiple groups. The position supports a hybrid working model with travel to project locations, offering