Project Manager II

daikinapplied; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Daikin Applied is seeking a Data Center Project Manager to plan, direct, and coordinate activities for complex data center projects, including HVAC and controls for mission-critical facilities. This hybrid role is located in Austin, TX.

You will lead all phases of projects, ensuring timelines, budgets, and quality targets are met, while coordinating with third-party commissioning agents and stakeholders to meet Uptime Institute requirements and owner acceptance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management, or related technical field.
• 5+ years progressive project management experience in commercial or industrial HVAC/mechanical construction.
• 2+ years dedicated experience managing mission-critical data center construction and/or commissioning (new-build, colocation, or hyperscale).

Responsibilities

• Directs all phases of data center projects from planning through warranty and service handoff.
• Leads pre-commissioning, IST, and Level 5 commissioning for critical cooling equipment with third-party agents.
• Plans and analyzes HVAC/mechanical construction projects, sets schedules and budgets, and coordinates with GC/owners/subcontractors.
• Reviews scope, drawings, and specs to determine time frames, funding, and resource allocation.
• Ensures regulatory compliance and safety standards on job sites around energized equipment and heights.
• Prepares proposals, tracks progress, and delivers reports to management and clients.
• Maintains relationships with customers, contractors, and internal teams, obtaining sign-offs and turnover packages.
• Implements risk analysis and continuous improvement to ensure on-time, on-budget completion and smooth service handoff.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Reading mechanical drawings

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering/Construction Management

Tools

BAS systems

Job description

Join the world's largest HVAC company, named by Forbes as one of America's Best-In-State Employers 2025!

Daikin Applied is seeking a Data Center Project Manager to plan, direct, and coordinate the activities of designated data center projects - including complex mechanical, HVAC, and controls construction for mission-critical facilities - ensuring project goals and objectives are accomplished within the prescribed time frame, budget, and quality/reliability parameters required for mission-critical facilities. This role performs the following duties, either personally or through peers, subordinate supervisors, and field staff. It offers the opportunity to support Daikin Applied's substantial growth in the data center vertical.

Location: This position is a hybrid role located in Austin TX.

What You Will Do

Project Management Leadership : Directs all phases of data center projects, from initial planning through final warranty, maintenance, and transition to the service team, ensuring seamless coordination between stakeholders and adherence to project timelines and budgets.

Leads pre-commissioning, start-up, integrated systems testing (IST), and Level 5 commissioning activities for critical cooling equipment, coordinating closely with third-party commissioning agents to meet the facility's Uptime Institute Tier and owner acceptance requirements.

Planning and Coordination : Plans and analyzes assigned HVAC/mechanical construction projects for new mission-critical data center facilities - establishing schedules, budgets, and project parameters, and setting procedures to accomplish project objectives, including complex contracting with general contractors, owners, and subcontractors.

Reviews project scope, drawings, and specifications to determine time frame, funding limitations, procedures, staffing requirements, and allotment of resources across mechanical construction phases (equipment set, start-up, and commissioning).

Regulatory Compliance and Safety Oversight : Ensures projects comply with all regulatory requirements and safety standards, collaborating with governmental agencies and safety managers to maintain a safe working environment; enforces jobsite safety programs and OSHA compliance for work around energized equipment, at height, and in confined spaces.

Proposal Development and Reporting : Prepares comprehensive proposals detailing project scope, milestones, and billing schedules; reviews status reports prepared by project personnel, modifies schedules or plans as required, and delivers regular progress reports to management and clients to maintain transparency, manage expectations, and maintain accuracy of forecasted cost at completion.

Stakeholder Management and Customer Relations : Establishes and maintains strong, professional relationships with customers, contractors, and internal teams; interfaces constantly to maintain accurate status reports, project reviews, and cutover/turnover planning, resolving issues promptly to uphold customer satisfaction. Obtains timely customer sign-off, including as-built documentation, O&M manuals, and warranty turnover packages.

Continuous Improvement and Quality Assurance : Implements risk analysis and mitigation strategies, reviews project status reports, and adjusts plans as needed to optimize project efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness. Responsible for the successful, on-time, on-budget completion of the project and its transition to the service process.

What's in it for you:

The ability to make an impact and shape your career with a company that is passionate about growth.

The support of an organization that believes it is vital to include and engage diverse people, perspectives, and ideas to achieve our best.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management, or a related technical field; equivalent combinations of education, technical training, and directly relevant work experience will be considered.
• 5+ years progressive project management experience in commercial or industrial HVAC/mechanical construction.
• 2+ years dedicated experience managing mission-critical data center construction and/or commissioning (new-build, colocation, or hyperscale).

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience working with Data Center Solutions.
• Proficient knowledge of HVAC designs, applications, and energy-saving solutions.
• Project Management Certification such as PMP, PMI, or Six Sigma.
• Familiarity with Uptime Institute Tier Standards and third-party commissioning requirements for data center facilities.
• Experience with building automation/BAS systems as they relate to mission-critical cooling infrastructure.
• BMB certificate.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Working knowledge of mission-critical HVAC systems, including chillers, cooling towers, CRAC/CRAH units, air handling units, chilled water piping, and economization systems.
• Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, specifications, and one-line dia