MEP Commissioning Manager / Senior Manager - Data Centre

Job Description: Commissioning Manager – MEP (Data Centre)

Sector: Data Centre Construction – Main Contractor

Reports to: Project Director / Construction Director (site-based, or MEP Lead depending on org structure)
Role Purpose

Owns the commissioning process for all mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems on a data centre build — from FAT (Factory Acceptance Testing) through IST (Integrated Systems Testing) — ensuring the facility is handed over fully tested and ready for live operation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead commissioning planning across Cx1–Cx6 stages (component to fully integrated system testing)
  
• Coordinate FAT for critical equipment (chillers, generators, UPS, switchgear) before delivery to site
  
• Manage IST, ensuring electrical, mechanical and controls systems perform together under simulated load/failure conditions
  
• Liaise directly with the client's operations/CFM team, design consultants (M&E), and MEP subcontractors to align commissioning sequence with construction handover
  
• Develop and track the commissioning schedule, integrating it with the overall project programme
  
• Review and validate commissioning documentation (test scripts, method statements, red-line drawings)
  
• Identify and resolve punch list / snagging items arising from testing before Ready for Service (RFS) or handover milestones
  
• Ensure commissioning activities comply with client uptime standards (e.g. Tier III/IV, Uptime Institute) and local authority requirements
  
• Manage a team of commissioning engineers/technicians across electrical and mechanical disciplines
  
  

Requirements

Requirements

• Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Building Services Engineering (or equivalent)
  
• 8–12+ years in MEP construction, with at least 3–5 years specifically in data centre commissioning
  
• Prior experience with hyperscale, colocation, or enterprise data centre projects
  
• Strong working knowledge of critical systems: chilled water/CRAC/CRAH, generators, UPS, switchgear, BMS/EPMS
  
• Familiarity with Uptime Institute Tier standards or equivalent client commissioning frameworks
  
• Experience managing subcontractors and multi-disciplinary teams on live construction sites
  
• Strong stakeholder management — comfortable presenting test results and issues to client ops teams
  

What Good Looks Like

• Has personally signed off IST on at least one completed data centre (not just involved — led it)
  
• Can speak to specific commissioning failures/issues encountered and how they were resolved
  
• Understands the handover boundary between construction completion and operational readiness