Onsite Engineer Data Center Facilities

Gilder Search Group; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

401(k) plan

Job summary

Gilder Search Group is seeking an Onsite Engineer for Data Center Facilities located in Cedar Rapids, IA. This role involves overseeing construction coordination, providing on-site design support, and ensuring compliance with engineering standards for multiple data center projects.

The ideal candidate will have 5–15 years of relevant experience, preferably with a degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering. Competitive salaries and benefits are offered.

Qualifications

• 5–15 years of experience in the field.
• Strong understanding of MEP systems.
• Previous data center/mission critical experience.

Responsibilities

• Act as an onsite resident engineer ensuring design intent is upheld.
• Implement and oversee the construction closeout process.
• Conduct site observations and quality checks of installed systems.
• Support multiple data center builds and travel as needed.

Skills

Electrical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Construction Administration

Document Management

Problem-Solving

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

BIM

Microsoft Project

Excel

Teams

Job description

Position Overview

Onsite Engineer Data Center Facilities – Cedar Rapids, IA

Our client is an Engineering Design and Commissioning Company that is a subject matter expert in the data center space. This role will be onsite at the customer’s data center and will provide onsite design coordination and construction administration, consulting and management support for the data center/mission critical facilities space with a focus on reliability, energy efficiency, sustainable design and LEED expertise for enterprise, colocation and hyperscale companies. This career‑growth opportunity offers exciting projects with leading‑edge technology and innovation as well as competitive salaries and benefits.

We are seeking an onsite engineer to serve as the bridge that connects owners, contractors, and off‑site design teams. The candidate will act as the onsite engineering representative for a multi‑year data center construction program on a design‑and‑build project, ensuring seamless engineering design coordination and construction administration throughout the project. The ideal candidate has a background in electrical or mechanical engineering with extensive experience in data centers, construction administration, design coordination, and documentation control.

Responsibilities

• Act as an onsite resident engineer for the design team, ensuring design intent is upheld during construction and serving as a single point of contact for all closeout deliverables.
• Implement and oversee the construction closeout process, ensuring all requirements and documentation are completed accurately and on schedule.
• Conduct site observations, perform field verification, as-built audits, and quality checks of installed systems and contractor documentation, documenting progress and providing reports to the design team.
• Support multiple data center builds across the region and travel as needed.
• Support construction administration by reviewing RFIs, RFPs, change orders, design upgrades, submittals, and specifications.
• Review and manage closeout documentation including design drawings, shop drawings, Revit/BIM models, submittals, warranties, and O&M materials.
• Assist with conceptual designs gathered from meetings with the client for field engineer focus.
• Represent the company in project meetings as needed; attend commissioning, construction, and coordination meetings.
• Act as the onsite liaison between ownership, contractors, equipment vendors, owner agents, and off‑site design teams.
• When in the field, work onsite at the data center project from the construction trailer.
• Participate in equipment inspections, factory witness testing, and vendor QA/QC visits.
• Assist in coordinating site inspections and resolving field issues with contractors and vendors.
• Review design criteria, specifications, drawings, equipment submittals, and other documentation pertinent to engineering design and commissioning.
• Understand various systems such as electrical distribution systems, UPS, standby generators, mechanical systems, control BAS/BMS systems, etc.
• Perform system assembly, commission plan preparation, and follow company QC processes and procedures.
• Attend design coordination workshops, commissioning (CxA) meetings, BIM coordination meetings, and owner‑furnished contractor‑installed (OFCI) vendor meetings.
• Review contractor installations for compliance with design specifications and industry standards.
• Provide technical expertise on mechanical and electrical systems, ensuring alignment with the owner’s requirements.
• Support all levels of testing and commissioning (L1–L5).
• Review and respond to contractor RFIs to reduce unnecessary queries.
• Verify compliance with owner’s program and project deliverables.
• Maintain accurate documentation of site activities, non‑conformances, and testing results.
• Assist with equipment inspections, factory witness testing, and field troubleshooting.
• Support the design team by providing real‑time feedback from the construction site.
• Ensure that lessons learned are documented and implemented in future projects.
• Work independently and effectively while maintaining high attention to detail in a fast‑paced environment.

Qualifications

• 5–15 years of experience in the field.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering preferred; relevant experience also considered.
• EIT or PE license is a plus but not required.
• Strong understanding of MEP systems (HVAC, CRAC/CRAH, boilers, chillers, generators, UPS, switchgear, electrical power distribution).
• Previous data center/mission critical experience is a must.
• Experience with AutoCAD, Revit, and BIM for design reviews is a plus.
• Proficient in construction administration and document management.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and ability to analyze field conditions and recommend solutions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for interacting with owners, contractors, and engineering teams.
• Ability to work on large construction sites independently and safely.
• Self‑starter, self‑motivated, and capable of prioritizing tasks effectively.
• Computer savvy with Microsoft Project, Excel, Teams, etc.
• Previous experience in the military is a huge plus.

Benefits

Company offers competitive salaries and benefits package including medical insurance and a 401(k) plan.

Equal Opportunity Employer

EOE/AA Employer M/F/D/V. Pkaza LLC is a third‑party employment firm; all fees assessed by Pkaza LLC are paid by the employer we represent and not by the candidate.