Director, Facilities Operations Commissioning

QTS Data Centers; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 154,000 - 235,000; Full time

Job summary

QTS Data Centers is seeking a Director, Facilities Engineering Commissioning to lead the technical strategy for commissioning across the portfolio. The role oversees commissioning-related engineering, coordination of connectivity, power, cooling, and building systems, and partners with site teams to ensure quality and compliance.

Ideal candidates have extensive experience with electrical and mechanical systems in large-scale data centers, a strong engineering background, and a proactive,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience in a related engineering field.
• 8+ years of leadership and strategic initiative experience.
• 8+ years in engineering activities within technical or critical environments.

Responsibilities

• Manage commissioning team, develop capabilities, and set policies for testing and turnover.
• Implement operating and commissioning standards for quality and safety.
• Oversee budgets and staffing to meet financial goals.
• Coordinate with project departments and external resources to ensure proper design, installation, and testing.
• Develop commissioning plans for multi-level systems (Electrical, Mechanical, BAS).
• Identify issues, drive improvements, and report to program management.
• Align SOPs, MOPs, ERP, and change management across site teams.
• Drive innovation in facilities programs with environmental responsibility.
• Interface with vendors, engineering, development, and operations.
• Maintain relationships with staff and executive management.
• Ensure OSHA and national electrical/building code compliance.

Skills

Data center know-how

Electrical systems

Mechanical systems

Leadership by influence

Project management

Vendor coordination

Education

Bachelor of Science in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering

HVAC certifications

Tools

BMS software

SCADA

CMMS

Job description

The Director, Facilities Engineering Commissioning will be responsible for overseeing the technical strategy for commissioning, continuous improvement, and developmental support for sites throughout the QTS portfolio. This role will provide oversight and assistance with commissioning-related engineering, including the coordination, installation, and integration of connectivity, network infrastructure, security, life safety, other building subsystems and finishes, transformers, electrical switchgear, UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply), STS (Static Transfer Switch), PDU (Power Distribution Unit), electrical distribution equipment, Chillers, water loops/components, Cooling distribution equipment, Electrical Power Monitoring Systems, and Building Management and automation systems, within the QTS portfolio. The position demands strong planning abilities coupled with leadership through influence and a proactive partnership approach, underpinned by a robust engineering background. The ideal candidate will bring experience in electrical and mechanical systems, along with an understanding of large-scale data centers (or comparable environments), which may encompass cutting-edge electrical distribution systems, static UPS, emergency standby generation, fire alarm/suppression, monitoring systems, and extensive cooling systems.

This role will be a platform role that will require an estimated 10-30% travel to other sites around the U.S.

RESPONSIBILITIES, Other Duties May Be Assigned.

• Manage the commissioning team, develop capabilities, engage employees, and set policies necessary to satisfy proper testing and turnover from development business partners.
• Implement operating and commissioning standards required for quality, safety, and ongoing operation.
• Manage expenditures and staffing to ensure compliance with financial goals. Oversee operational budgets to ensure compliance with organizational expenditure requirements.
• Assist in all site construction activity and installations, in coordination with QTS project departments, external construction resources, to ensure system design, installation and testing adhere to operational standards. Witness testing of all equipment during commissioning and validate sequence of operations and receipt of all operational documentation.
• Develop comprehensive commissioning plans for Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4, and Level 5 systems, including connectivity, network infrastructure, security, life safety, other building subsystems and finishes, Electrical, Mechanical, and Building Automation components.
• Identify, track, and resolve any issues during the commissioning process, working closely with the project team to resolve technical challenges. Utilize findings and provide feedback to program management team to drive continuous improvement.
• Coordinate and work with all QTS site teams on standard operating procedures (SOP), method of procedures (MOP), and emergency response procedures (ERP) established for the critical environments, as well as the formal change management process.
• Drive innovation into facilities programs/systems with an environmentally conscious attitude.
• Interfaces with vendors, QTS Engineering, QTS Development and peer operations organizations.
• Maintain positive relationships and communication with staff and executive level management.
• Assist site engineering/management with compliance with local health & safety (i.e. OSHA) standards and national electrical and building codes.
• Ensure proper training and growth of staff.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• 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 that includes 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 (data center, nuclear power, hospital, pharmaceutical,semiconductor, industrial/commercial field engineering)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Must be fluent with and possess an excellent working knowledge of Data Center critical and construction environments.
• Ability to develop solutions and create technical strategic and tactical plans on complex projects.
• Ability and willingness to think outside of the box to find creative and innovative solutions to improve quality / reliability and continuously drive down operating costs.
• Advanced understanding of both mechanical and electrical equipment, systems and design related to data centers. (Including but not limited to uninterruptable power sources, diesel generators, electrical switchgear, power distribution units, variable frequency drives, automatic/static transfer switches, chillers (air-cooled and water-cooled), pumps, cooling towers, heat exchangers, CRAHs, air economizers.)
• Experience with emergency backup systems (generators, UPS, battery backup).
• Knowledge and experience with building monitoring/controls, electricity and 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.

TOTAL REWARDS

• This role is also eligible for a competitive benefits package that includes: medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; 401(k) retirement plan; flexible spending and HSA accounts; paid holidays; paid time off; paid volunteer days; employee assistance program; tuition assistance; parental leave; military leave assistance; QTS scholarship for dependents; wellness program, and other company benefits.
• This position is equity eligible.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• 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 that includes 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 (data center, nuclear power, hospital, pharmaceutical,semiconductor, industrial/commercial field engineering)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Must be fluent with and possess an excellent working knowledge of Data Center critical and construction environments.
• Ability to develop solutions and create technical strategic and tactical plans on complex projects.
• Ability and willingness to think outside of the box to find creative and innovative solutions to improve quality / reliability and continuously drive down operating costs.
• Advanced understanding of both mechanical and electrical equipment, systems and design related to data centers. (Including but not limited to uninterruptable power sources, diesel generators, electrical switchgear, power distribution units, variable frequency drives, automatic/static transfer switches, chillers (air-cooled and water-cooled), pumps, cooling towers, heat exchangers, CRAHs, air economizers.)
• Experience with emergency backup systems (generators, UPS, battery backup).
• Knowledge and experience with building monitoring/controls, electricity and 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.

TOTAL REWARDS

• This role is also eligible for a competitive benefits package that includes: medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; 401(k) retirement plan; flexible spending savings account; paid holidays; paid time off; employee assistance program; and other company benefits.
• This position is equity eligible.

In accordance with applicable law, the following represents a reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation for this role if hired in Virginia. Please note that this information is provided for those hired in Virginia only, and this role is open to candidates outside of Virginia with compensation that aligns with your location. The successful candidate’s starting salary will be determined based on permissible, non-discriminatory factors such as skills, experience, and geographic location.

The estimated pay range for this role, if based in Virginia, is:

$153,975.23 - 235,469.17

Please note that this information is provided for those hired in Virginia only, and this role is open to candidates outside of Virginia with compensation that aligns with your location. The successful candidate’s starting salary will be determined based on permissible, non-discriminatory factors such as skills, experience, and geographic location. This role is also eligible for a competitive benefits package that includes: medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; 401(k) retirement plan; flexible spending savings account; paid holidays; paid time off; employee assistance program; and other company benefits.

We conform to all the laws, statutes, and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action. We strongly encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply to all of our job openings. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, age, disability status, Genetic Information & Testing, Family & Medical Leave, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We prohibit retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint or discrimination claim.

The Pay Transparency Policy Is Available Here:

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Poster-Formatted

QTS is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to [e-mail] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.