Project/Program Manager III

Actalent; Umatilla (OR); On-site; USD 62,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Project/Program Manager III to oversee commissioning activities in live data centers, coordinating multi-disciplined teams and external vendors. The role focuses on testing, validation, and ensuring design intent aligns with standards while managing schedule and budgets.

You will review design documents, lead commissioning efforts, and deliver reports to leadership. This on-site contract role requires strong communication and problem-solving in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of engineering, installation, or startup/commissioning experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or equivalent.
• High technical competency in mechanical, electrical, or control systems for critical infrastructure.
• Ability to review design docs, drawings, and sequences of operations for design intent.
• Experience developing commissioning documentation and test procedures.

Responsibilities

• Provide testing and validation oversight for electrical and mechanical infrastructure in data centers.
• Review as-built docs, drawings, specs, vendor submittals, and sequences of operations.
• Coordinate third-party commissioning vendors on site and ensure quality.
• Audit vendor activities for environmental, quality, and safety standards while minimizing live-ops impact.
• Contribute to scheduling, test script development, and retro-commissioning planning.
• Develop and review commissioning test plans, scripts, and reports for accuracy.
• Identify and resolve technical issues to protect schedule and site constraints.
• Lead multiple retro-commissioning projects and drive key milestones.
• Deliver progress reports and metrics to regional leadership.
• Manage project budgets within approved guidelines.
• Capture lessons learned for continuous improvement.
• Maintain professional interactions in high-stress environments with multi-team collaboration.

Skills

5+ years experience

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or EE

Strong communication

Detail-oriented

Ability to work under pressure

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering

5+ years relevant discipline experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

SharePoint

Outlook

Job description

Job Title: Project/Program Manager III Commissioning Owners RepresentativeJob Description

Responsibilities

• Provide testing and validation oversight for electrical and mechanical infrastructure in existing operational data centers, including medium and low voltage power systems, generators, UPS, HVAC equipment, chilled water systems, BMS, EPMS, testing and balancing, and hydronic systems.
• Review as-built documentation, design drawings, specifications, vendor submittals, and sequences of operations to understand design concepts and intent and ensure alignment with basis of design standards.
• Manage and coordinate third-party commissioning vendors performing onsite functional and integrated systems testing, ensuring accuracy, quality, and adherence to project requirements.
• Audit commissioning vendors activities on an ongoing basis to confirm compliance with environmental, quality, and safety standards while minimizing impact to live data center operations.
• Provide multi-disciplinary input into scheduling, test script development, design considerations, and planning for retro-commissioning projects.
• Develop and primarily review commissioning documentation, including test plans, scripts, and reports prepared by vendors, to verify accuracy against design requirements.
• Identify and resolve technical issues in a proactive manner, exercising strong bias for action to address schedule impacts, coordination challenges, and on-site constraints.
• Lead multiple retro-commissioning projects simultaneously, driving key milestones and deliverables that optimize data center performance.
• Prepare and deliver regular progress reports and metrics for assigned projects following established project reporting formats, and communicate status to regional leadership.
• Manage project budgets within approved financial guidelines, tracking costs and supporting financial accountability.
• Capture and share lessons learned from each project to support team development and continuous improvement of commissioning programs.
• Maintain calm, respectful, and professional interactions in high-stress environments while collaborating with multiple internal and external teams.

Essential Skills

• Minimum 5 years of experience in engineering, installation, or startup/commissioning of electrical and mechanical systems.
• Bachelors degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, or at least 5 years of relevant discipline work experience.
• High technical competency in mechanical, electrical, or control systems used in critical infrastructure, with the ability and willingness to learn and be trained in the other disciplines.
• Ability to understand design concepts and intent by reviewing mechanical and electrical design documentation, including drawings, specifications, vendor submittals, and sequences of operations.
• Experience reviewing and developing commissioning documentation such as test plans, test scripts, and reports to ensure accuracy and compliance with design requirements.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to convey technical information clearly to diverse stakeholders.
• Detail-oriented and highly organized approach to managing complex technical projects.
• Ability to work effectively in high-stress environments while maintaining professional, respectful interactions with multiple teams.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Experience with SharePoint or similar collaboration platforms.
• Advanced knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and control systems for critical infrastructures.
• Ability to read and edit construction documents, including design drawings, control diagrams, and specifications.
• Experience developing and executing test procedures for mechanical or electrical systems and components based on design intent and approved equipment submittals.
• Background or familiarity with commissioning, project management, electrical, construction, and mechanical disciplines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, particularly in complex technical environments.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams spanning electrical, mechanical, controls, commissioning, and construction.

Work Environment

This role operates in a 100% on-site data center environment, working within live, operational facilities that rely on critical electrical and mechanical infrastructure. You collaborate closely with experienced engineers and multidisciplinary teams across electrical, mechanical, controls, commissioning, and construction disciplines. The work involves hands-on engagement with medium and low voltage power systems, generators, UPS, HVAC equipment, chilled water systems, building management systems (BMS), electrical power monitoring systems (EPMS), pumps, hydronic systems, and testing and balancing activities. You can expect a fast-paced, high-growth setting where decisions have a direct impact on data center quality and readiness. The environment requires adherence to strict safety, environmental, and quality standards, with structured reporting and documentation practices. Hours may vary based on project schedules and commissioning activities, and you will frequently be present on the data center floor and in technical spaces where operational continuity and reliability are paramount.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Umatilla, OR.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $45.00 - $54.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Umatilla,OR.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 14, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.