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Fleet Data Centers · 1 day ago

Commissioning Senior Manager - Substation

United States

Full-time

Remote

Senior Level, Lead/Staff

8+ years exp

Fleet Data Centers designs, builds, commissions, and operates mega-scale data center campuses. The Substation Commissioning Senior Manager leads the end-to-end commissioning lifecycle for all mechanical and electrical systems associated with site substations, ensuring they are installed, tested, verified, and handed over to operations to meet performance, reliability, and safety requirements.

Data CenterData Center AutomationIT Infrastructure

Responsibilities

Review Basis of Design (BoD), drawings, specifications, and submittals for commissioning requirements and testability. Documents shall include but not be limited to single line diagram, three-line diagram, control diagrams, protection and control schemes, SCADA, Short Circuit and Coordination Study (SCCS), Arc Flash Study, etc

Review and collaborate on protection and control schemes, SCADA logic, and relay inputs, outputs, settings, and logic with design and controls teams

Review and collaborate on the 3rd Party electrical testing requirements with the design and construction teams; ensure all project requirements and expectations are met

Development and/or assist with the development and upkeep of the Commissioning Plan (scope, phasing, staffing, RASIC, tools, documentation control, quality gates)

Define substation commissioning schedule aligned with construction and turnover milestones; identify long-lead equipment and factory witness tests

Develop and/or assist with the development of Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 commissioning checklists

Develop and/or assist in the development of Level 4 and Level 5 (if applicable) commissioning test scripts

Be responsible for commissioning team communications and updates, including leading or co-leading meetings

Oversee Site Acceptance, Installation, and Pre-energization inspections for substation equipment

Oversee and/or lead first time energization, pre-functional checklists (PFCs), start-up acceptance testing (SAT), and functional test scripts (FTs) for substation equipment and systems and support buildings across all modes (normal, degraded, failover, emergency, maintenance bypass, recovery), including required documentation provided by contractors and vendors and issue resolution

Oversee vendor/OEM Level – 3 start-ups; verify conformance to submittals and sequences of operation (SOO)

Oversee and witness 3rd Party electrical testing (i.e., TTR, Power Factor, SFRA, VLF, DRLO, relay testing, protection scheme validation, three-line diagram validation, relay input and output validation, high-voltage medium-voltage, and low-voltage equipment functional operation, and SCADA point-to-point checks

Validate BMS point-to-point, alarm priorities, trending, graphics, and historian; ensure controls narratives are executable and traceable

Drive 3rd Party electrical testing, electrical First Time Energization (FTE) and Functional Performance Testing readiness and execution with electrical and life safety teams, ensuring electrical responses and interlocks perform per design intent

Ensure project commissioning schedules are being met

Regularly required to stand, walk, use hands and fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk, hear, and smell. Frequently required to sit, climb, and balance. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, basic color differentiation and the ability to adjust focus. Regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds

Maintain a controlled repository within the Commissioning Platform for commissioning artifacts: SAI, Installation, PFCs, SATs, FPTs, IST results, issues logs, RFIs, redlines, and sign-offs

Review and/or produce consolidated Commissioning Reports with executive summaries, data visuals, narratives, and appendices

Assist with assembling Turnover Packages: final protection schemes, as-builts, relay settings, O&M manuals, warranties, spare parts lists, PM matrices, and training materials

Oversee and coordinate operator training and verify knowledge transfer (sign-in records and demonstration or assessment)

Serve as the primary point of contact for substation commissioning scope; build trusted relationships with clients, GC/CMs, sub-contractors, vendors, utility company, Engineer of Record (i.e., Electrical and Protection Engineer), and operations

Communicate progress, challenges, and solutions to leadership and cross-functional stakeholders; lead regular meetings and readiness reviews

Collaborate closely with pre-construction, design, construction, and operations teams to ensure seamless transition from construction to steady-state operations

Operate safely in a fast pace, multi-phase construction atmosphere

Manage switching orders in the substation yard and support buildings

Strong understanding of electrical power systems (AC/DC and HV, MV, LV) schematics and industry safety standards for each system and as an integrated system

Enforce lockout/tagout (LOTO), Arch Flash Safety, hazardous energy control, hot work permits, confined space, working at heights, and chemical handling protocols

Ensure compliance with applicable codes and standards (e.g., IEEE, NFPA 70E, local/state electrical codes)

Conduct Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs) and pre-task plans; use proper PPE; lead daily toolbox talks during commissioning peaks

Manage commissioning budgets, forecasts, and resource allocation to ensure cost-efficient delivery

Establish and track KPIs: schedule adherence (% milestones achieved), defect density & closure rate (issues per MW; time-to-close), test coverage (% completed vs planned), performance compliance (% systems meeting OPR/BoD tolerances), handover quality (turnover completeness; operator training satisfaction), and safety outcomes (TRIR, near-miss reporting)

Drive operational excellence to meet corporate targets and deliver projects on time and within budget

Qualification

NETA/ANSI standardsSubstation commissioningElectrical testingSCADA integrationRelay testingHigh-voltage equipmentProject managementTeam leadershipCommunication skillsProblem-solving skillsDocumentation discipline

Required

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field; OR Graduate of applicable Commissioning Technical school or military with relevant military electrical or technical experience

8+ years of substation commissioning/electrical testing experience in mission-critical facilities (substation, transmission, data centers, hospitals, labs, pharma, or industrial); OR with graduate of applicable Commissioning Technical school or military with relevant military electrical or technical experience and eight (8) years minimum commissioning/electrical testing or similar work experience

Strong understanding of NETA/ANSI standards, high-voltage medium-voltage, and low-voltage equipment, power transformers, switchgear, instrument transformers, relays, DC power systems, protection and control systems, SCADA integration, substation electrical testing, grounding systems, and electrical safety protocols

Technical Depth: Expertise in relay testing (SEL, ABB, Siemens, GE), SCADA integration, and HV apparatus commissioning

Proficient with electrical testing equipment (i.e., Megger, Doble, Omicron, etc.)

Proven track record leading 3rd Party electrical testing, electrical First Time Energization (FTE) and Functional Performance Testing coordination, with strong SCADA and protective relay familiarity

Demonstrates the ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams in high-stakes startup and cutover windows

Exceptional organizational, project management, problem-solving, and troubleshooting skills, with strong documentation discipline

Excellent written and verbal communication and stakeholder management skills; proficiency with project management and commissioning platforms

Willingness and ability to travel (25–50%) to project sites as needed; extended hours during startup/functional/IST windows, including weekend/night shifts, and an occasional holiday if required