Senior Commissioning Superintendent

SST Direct; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

SST Direct is seeking a Senior Commissioning Superintendent to lead full-lifecycle commissioning of mechanical, electrical, and controls systems on hyperscale data center projects (100MW+). This on-site role drives pre-functional testing through IST and owner acceptance, aligning trades, commissioning agents, engineers, and client representatives around a single execution plan.

You will bring deep expertise in chillers, dry coolers, VFDs, pumps, and HVAC, plus hands-on knowledge of switchgear,

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of progressive field commissioning and supervision experience on hyperscale data centers.
• Deep mechanical expertise in chillers, dry coolers, FCUs, pumps, HVAC, and related systems.
• Hands-on knowledge of electrical/controls systems (switchgear, UPS, generators, BMS/EPMS).
• Experience leading commissioning programs from mobilization to owner acceptance.
• Proven ability to coordinate trades, engineers and client representatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead the full-lifecycle commissioning execution from pre-functional testing through IST and owner acceptance.
• On-site commissioning leadership aligning contractors, agents, engineers, and client reps around a single plan.
• Deliver fully operational, high-availability facilities on schedule and to quality standards.

Skills

Field commissioning

Hyperscale data centers

MEP systems

Electrical & controls knowledge

Project coordination

Scheduling (six-week look-ahead)

OSH safety

MS Office

Tools

Scheduling software

BMS/EPMS knowledge

Job description

DIRECT HIRE:

The Senior Commissioning Superintendent is a senior field leader responsible for driving the full-lifecycle commissioning execution of mechanical, electrical, and controls systems on hyperscale data center projects (100MW+). With deep expertise in mission-critical mechanical infrastructure - including chillers, dry coolers, fan coil units, pumps, and HVAC systems - this role owns the field commissioning program from pre-functional testing through Integrated Systems Testing (IST) and owner acceptance. Operating with the authority and credibility of an experienced owner's-side professional, the Sr. Superintendent serves as the on-site commissioning leader, aligning trade contractors, commissioning agents, engineers, and client representatives around a single, accountable execution plan. This role is critical to delivering fully operational, high-availability facilities on schedule and to the highest quality standard.

Location: Buffalo, NY.

Per Diem: Paid per working day at GSA rate for site city, travel to/from site at start/end of project also covered.

Pay Range: $150K - $250K (Competitive total compensation package (cash + equity)

Retirement or pension plan, in line with local norms

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Generous PTO policy, in line with local norms

Required Experience/Qualifications:

• 7–10 years of progressive field commissioning and supervision experience, with a demonstrated focus on hyperscale mission-critical data center infrastructure (100MW+)
• Current or recent Superintendent title with proven ownership of large-scale commissioning programs from mobilization through owner acceptance
• Deep mechanical expertise in the commissioning of chillers, dry coolers, fan coil units, pumps, cooling towers, and HVAC systems in redundant, live-environment data center facilities
• Hands-on working knowledge of electrical and controls systems — including switchgear, UPS, generators, BMS, and EPMS — sufficient to lead integrated MEP commissioning activities and cross-discipline coordination
• Prior experience on the owner's rep or client side, providing a distinct ability to anticipate owner expectations, interpret acceptance criteria, and align field execution with client priorities
• Proven track record leading pre-functional testing, functional performance testing, and Integrated Systems Testing (IST) on complex, high-availability facilities
• Demonstrated ability to lead high-stakes client and stakeholder meetings, present commissioning status and risk with confidence, and drive accountability across all project participants
• Expert command of six-week look-ahead scheduling, constraint management, and visual planning tools including takt boards and zone maps
• In-depth knowledge of MEP construction methods, commissioning specifications, and data center delivery standards applied to large-scale, live-environment projects
• Strong proficiency in scheduling software and the ability to apply logic-driven planning to complex, multi-discipline commissioning sequences
• Thorough understanding of electrical safety, OSHA regulations, and energized work procedures in mission-critical environments
• Proven conflict-resolution, problem-solving, and professional judgment skills in fast-paced, high-consequence project environments
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and project management/operational platforms