Project Manager (Commissioning - Data Center)

Amicus Talent Group; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Amicus Talent Group seeks an experienced Senior Commissioning Project Manager to lead commissioning for large-scale data center builds in the Chicago area. You will plan, coordinate, and execute commissioning across MEP systems to ensure fully tested, validated facilities ready for operation.

You bring 8-12+ years of experience in commissioning or PM on data center projects, with strong leadership and hands-on field presence to drive IST and turnover.

Qualifications

• 8-12+ years of experience in commissioning or project management on large-scale data center, mission-critical, or industrial projects.
• Strong technical expertise across electrical and mechanical systems, with deep understanding of redundancy and reliability concepts.
• Proven experience leading Integrated Systems Testing on ground-up data center projects.
• Experience coordinating multiple stakeholders across fast-paced construction environments.
• Strong organizational, documentation, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects or project phases simultaneously.
• Hands-on mindset with strong field presence.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage the overall commissioning plan from design review through integrated systems testing (IST) and final turnover.
• Establish commissioning scope, sequencing, milestones, and documentation requirements aligned with project schedules.
• Lead commissioning efforts across all mechanical, electrical, plumbing, controls, and life-safety systems.
• Act as the primary point of contact for commissioning-related activities across internal teams, contractors, and client stakeholders.
• Oversee commissioning of mission-critical systems including medium and low-voltage electrical distribution, generators, UPS systems, switchgear, cooling plants, CRAC/CRAH units, chilled water systems, fuel oil systems, fire protection, and BMS/EPMS integration.
• Ensure all systems are properly installed, pre-tested, started up, and functionally tested in accordance with design intent and owner requirements.
• Plan and execute Integrated Testing (IT/IST), validating redundancy, failover, and system interoperability.
• Provide clear commissioning status reports, risk assessments, and readiness updates to internal leadership and client teams.
• Participate in OAC meetings, commissioning reviews, and schedule coordination meetings.
• Serve as a trusted commissioning advisor to clients and project leadership.

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Senior Commissioning Project Manager to lead and manage the commissioning process for large-scale, ground-up data center construction projects in the South Chicago region. This role is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing all commissioning activities across complex, mission-critical MEP systems to ensure facilities are delivered fully tested, validated, and ready for reliable operation.

The ideal candidate brings deep technical knowledge of data center infrastructure, strong project management skills, and proven experience driving integrated testing, system validation, and turnover on high-performance facilities.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in North America; visa sponsorship is not available.

Key Responsibilities

Commissioning Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and manage the overall commissioning plan from design review through integrated systems testing (IST) and final turnover.
• Establish commissioning scope, sequencing, milestones, and documentation requirements aligned with project schedules.
• Lead commissioning efforts across all mechanical, electrical, plumbing, controls, and life-safety systems.
• Act as the primary point of contact for commissioning-related activities across internal teams, contractors, and client stakeholders.

MEP & Mission-Critical Systems Commissioning

• Oversee commissioning of mission-critical systems including medium and low-voltage electrical distribution, generators, UPS systems, switchgear, cooling plants, CRAC/CRAH units, chilled water systems, fuel oil systems, fire protection, and BMS/EPMS integration.
• Ensure all systems are properly installed, pre-tested, started up, and functionally tested in accordance with design intent and owner requirements.
• Plan and execute Integrated Testing (IT/IST), validating redundancy, failover, and system interoperability.

Documentation, Turnover & Client Readiness

Risk Management & Continuous Improvement

Client & Executive Reporting

• Provide clear commissioning status reports, risk assessments, and readiness updates to internal leadership and client teams.
• Participate in OAC meetings, commissioning reviews, and schedule coordination meetings.
• Serve as a trusted commissioning advisor to clients and project leadership.

Qualifications

• 8-12+ years of experience in commissioning or project management on large-scale data center, mission-critical, or industrial projects.
• Strong technical expertise across electrical and mechanical systems, with deep understanding of redundancy and reliability concepts.
• Proven experience leading Integrated Systems Testing on ground-up data center projects.
• Experience coordinating multiple stakeholders across fast-paced construction environments.
• Strong organizational, documentation, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects or project phases simultaneously.
• Hands-on mindset with strong field presence.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with hyperscale or multi-phase data center programs.
• Formal commissioning certification (CxA, BCxP, CCP, or equivalent).
• Background in MEP engineering, construction management, or trade supervision.
• Familiarity with commissioning management platforms and construction software such as Procore or Bluebeam.

Why Apply?

This is a critical leadership role in delivering high-performance, mission-critical data center infrastructure. If you are driven by technical excellence, system reliability, and seamless project delivery, this role offers the opportunity to lead commissioning on complex, ground-up data center builds in the Chicago market.