Senior Mechanical Advisor

Strategic Mission Critical; United States; Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

36-hour work week

Hybrid work arrangement

13 paid holidays

Medical, health, and dental insurance

Job summary

Strategic Mission Critical is seeking a Senior Mechanical Advisor to oversee commissioning for live mission-critical data center projects. You will manage field operations, coordinate with contractors, vendors, and client teams, and ensure mechanical systems meet design intent during construction and startup.

The role emphasizes technical leadership, troubleshooting, and field execution with 40–60% travel. Candidates should have 10+ years in commissioning and data-center environments, with

Qualifications

• 10+ years in commissioning or field engineering for mission-critical or data center environments.
• Experience leading commissioning processes and operational readiness for complex mechanical systems.
• Strong knowledge of water and airside HVAC, plumbing, fire protection, and fuel oil systems.
• Experience reviewing TAB, commissioning docs, and O&M procedures.
• Experience with building automation controls and monitoring systems.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate technical guidance to contractors, vendors, and client teams throughout project execution.
• Drive commissioning processes, schedules, deliverables, startup activities, and testing.
• Review mechanical testing and commissioning documentation including TAB and O&M procedures.
• Support startup, testing, and troubleshooting of critical mechanical infrastructure.
• Perform technical analysis of operation vs design intent and identify performance issues.
• Inspect installations for compliance with requirements and quality standards.
• Lead field activities and mentor junior engineers while coordinating multiple projects.
• Travel to project sites 40-60% to support commissioning efforts.

Skills

Commissioning

Field engineering

Mechanical infrastructure

Live operation support

Leadership

Communication

Education

Mechanical Engineering

Architectural Engineering

Construction Management

MET

PE/EIT certification path

Tools

CxAlloy

BIM360

Procore

Autodesk Construction Cloud

Helix

Job description

Engineering data centers with precision and expertise.

At Strategic Mission Critical, we are more than just engineers; we are experts focusing solely on mission critical facilities. Our seasoned leadership team brings together decades of experience, equipping data center providers worldwide with robust, reliable solutions that keep pace with the evolving digital landscape.
As demand for high-performance infrastructure accelerates - fueled by AI and the expanding digital landscape - SMC continues to lead through technical rigor and operational excellence. We’re seeking leaders who think beyond projects to improve the way we deliver them: individuals who elevate people, process, and performance across the firm.
Strategic Mission Critical (SMC) is seeking a Senior Mechanical Advisor to support live mission critical operations and manage commissioning efforts for large-scale mission critical/data center projects.
This role sits within our Commissioning & Operations Advisory (CxOA) team and focuses on overseeing the commissioning process during construction through advisement for critical mechanical infrastructure operation.
You’ll work directly with contractors, vendors, commissioning agents, client operations teams, and ownership groups to ensure mechanical systems are installed correctly, tested properly, and functioning to design intent for live operation.
This is a highly technical, field-focused role responsible for troubleshooting complex mechanical systems issues, driving commissioning execution, and serving as a technical leader onsite.

Responsibilities

This candidate will have the opportunity to engage with client’s construction and operations teams bring engineering guidance and commissioning expertise out into the field. This candidate shall have the ability to communicate effectively with co-workers and with clients while being able to meet scheduled project deadlines.

Responsibilities Include But Are Not Limited To

• Coordinate and provide technical guidance to contractors, vendors, commissioning agents, and client teams throughout project execution
• Drive commissioning processes, schedules, deliverables, startup activities, and testing execution
• Review and analyze mechanical testing and commissioning documentation including TAB reports, commissioning reports, and O&M procedures
• Support startup, testing, and troubleshooting, activities for critical mechanical infrastructure including water and airside HVAC systems, plumbing systems, fire protection systems, and fuel oil systems
• Perform technical analysis of mechanical systems operation versus design intent and identify system performance or efficiency issues
• Inspect mechanical installations to verify compliance with project requirements, and quality standards
• Participate in field walks, site observations, commissioning meetings, and onsite operation activities
• Lead and mentor junior engineers, consultants, and project teams while coordinating multiple active projects simultaneously
• Travel to project sites as needed to support commissioning efforts and field execution (approximately 40-60% travel)

Qualifications

• Minimum 10+ years of experience in commissioning, field engineering, mechanical infrastructure, or related construction/operations environments, including mission critical or data center experience
• Experience supporting mission critical/data center infrastructure environments required
• Experience leading commissioning processes, startup/testing activities, or operational readiness efforts for complex mechanical systems
• Strong knowledge of mission critical mechanical infrastructure including water and airside HVAC systems, plumbing systems, fire protection systems, and fuel oil systems
• Experience troubleshooting mechanical systems and resolving operational or commissioning-related issues in field environments
• Familiarity reviewing mechanical testing and commissioning documentation including TAB reports, commissioning reports, or O&M procedures
• Experience with building automation controls and monitoring systems
• Experience working in construction, commissioning, field execution, and live operational environments while coordinating contractors, vendors, commissioning agents, and client teams
• Strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Mission critical or data center experience
• Experience reviewing drawings, specifications, submittals, and field installation documentation
• Experience with commissioning and construction management platforms such as CxAlloy, BIM360, Procore, Autodesk Construction Cloud, or Helix
• Mechanical Engineering, Architectural Engineering, Construction Management, MET, or related technical background
• PE or EIT certification path is a plus
• Experience with Bluebeam and Microsoft Office tools

Compensation

Base Compensation: $150,000 - $250,000 Annually

• Actual compensation is subject to variation due to factors such as education, experience, skills and/or location

SMC offers a competitive benefits package, with a 36-hour standard work week, hybrid working arrangement, 13 paid holidays, 100% coverage of medical, health, and dental insurance premiums for our full-time employees, and reimbursement of professional licensing costs. Spouse and family insurance premiums are subsidized by SMC. All full-time employees are additionally eligible for employer-sponsored life and long-term disability insurance as well as participation in our 401(k) plan, with annual safe harbor contribution.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law