Director, Facilities Operations – Commissioning

Jobtailor; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

QTS Realty Trust seeks a commissioning and facilities leader to guide the technical strategy for site commissioning, continuous improvement, and operational support across the data center portfolio. You will manage the commissioning team, drive standards for testing, safety, and documentation, coordinate with vendors and internal groups, and travel 10–30% to other U.S.

sites while growing staff capabilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years leading engineering teams in data centers or critical environments.
• Fluency with data center critical operations and construction environments.
• Ability to plan strategic and tactical actions for complex projects.
• Experience with emergency backup systems (generators, UPS).

Responsibilities

• Oversee the technical strategy for commissioning, continuous improvement, and developmental support for sites throughout the QTS portfolio.
• Manage the commissioning team, develop capabilities, engage employees, and set policies for testing and turnover.
• Implement operating and commissioning standards for quality, safety, and ongoing operation.
• Manage expenditures, staffing, and operational budgets.
• Assist with site construction activities and installations with internal/external teams.
• Witness equipment testing during commissioning and validate sequences of operations.
• Develop Level 1-5 commissioning plans for connectivity, network, life safety, building subsystems, electrical, mechanical, and building automation.
• Identify, track, and resolve commissioning issues and provide feedback for continuous improvement.
• Coordinate with site teams on SOPs, MOPs, ERPs, and formal change management.
• Drive innovation in facilities programs with an environmentally conscious approach.
• Interface with vendors, QTS Engineering, development, and peer operations teams.
• Ensure proper training and growth of staff.
• Travel an estimated 10-30% to other U.S. sites.

Skills

Commissioning Management

Data Center Operations

Mechanical And Electrical Systems

Project Management Software

Team Leadership

Education

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

HVAC Certifications

Tools

Building Monitoring Systems

Controls Systems

Medium/Low-Voltage Electrical Distribution

Telecommunications

Access Controls

CCTV

Life Safety Systems

Job description

• Oversee the technical strategy for commissioning, continuous improvement, and developmental support for sites throughout the QTS portfolio
• Manage the commissioning team, develop capabilities, engage employees, and set policies for testing and turnover
• Implement operating and commissioning standards for quality, safety, and ongoing operation
• Manage expenditures, staffing, and operational budgets
• Assist with site construction activities and installations in coordination with QTS project departments and external construction resources
• Witness equipment testing during commissioning and validate sequences of operations and operational documentation
• Develop comprehensive Level 1-5 commissioning plans for connectivity, network infrastructure, security, life safety, building subsystems, electrical, mechanical, and building automation components
• Identify, track, and resolve commissioning issues and provide feedback to program management for continuous improvement
• Coordinate with QTS site teams on SOPs, MOPs, ERPs, and formal change management
• Drive innovation in facilities programs and systems with an environmentally conscious approach
• Interface with vendors, QTS Engineering, QTS Development, and peer operations organizations
• Maintain relationships and communication with staff and executive management
• Assist site engineering and management with OSHA and national electrical/building code compliance
• Ensure proper training and growth of staff
• Travel an estimated 10-30% to other U.S. sites

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering or similar HVAC or critical power certifications OR equivalent professional experience in lieu of degree
• Eight (8) or more years of professional experience including managing teams, developing and implementing strategic initiatives, and overseeing departmental operations
• Eight (8) or more years of direct experience with engineering-related activities in a technical or critical environment
• Fluency and excellent working knowledge of data center critical and construction environments
• Ability to develop solutions and create technical strategic and tactical plans on complex projects
• Advanced understanding of mechanical and electrical equipment, systems, and design related to data centers
• Experience with emergency backup systems, including generators, UPS, and battery backup
• Knowledge and experience with building monitoring/controls, medium/low-voltage electrical distribution systems, mechanical systems, telecommunications, access controls, CCTV, life safety systems, and/or building subsystems
• Knowledge and experience with project management and commissioning management software systems

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in managing commissioning teams and developing strategic initiatives within data center environments, ensuring compliance with safety and operational standards. Proficient in overseeing technical strategies for mechanical and electrical systems, while fostering employee development and continuous improvement.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Commissioning Management
• Data Center Operations
• Mechanical And Electrical Systems
• Project Management Software
• Team Leadership

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

• Commissioning Plans
• Mechanical Systems
• Electrical Systems
• Building Automation
• Emergency Backup Systems
• Data Center Design
• Technical Strategic Planning
• HVAC Certifications
• Operational Documentation
• Quality And Safety Standards

Soft Skills

• Employee Engagement
• Communication
• Problem Solving
• Innovation

Certifications & Qualifications

• Bachelor Of Science In Electrical Engineering
• Bachelor Of Science In Mechanical Engineering
• HVAC Certifications

Industry Keywords

• Data Center
• Commissioning
• Continuous Improvement
• Construction Compliance
• OSHA Compliance

Tools & Technologies

• Building Monitoring Systems
• Controls Systems
• Medium/Low-Voltage Electrical Distribution
• Telecommunications
• Access Controls
• CCTV
• Life Safety Systems