Commissioning (Cx) Manager – Data Centre Projects

Commissioning Manager - Data Centre Projects

About CAI:

At CAI, we are a professional services firm designed to accelerate operational readiness and excellence in critical environments. Our team of engineering, quality, and operations experts combines top-tier talent with the latest technology to deliver projects on time and within budget. We're committed to continuous improvement, real connections, and the highest standards, aiming to lead the industry and build the future.

Are you ready?

Our approach is simple; we put the client’s interests first, we do not stop until it is right, and we will do whatever it takes to get there.

At CAI, we are committed to living our Foundational Principles, both professionally and personally:

• We act with integrity
• We serve each other
• We serve society
• We work for our future.

We strongly believe that one person’s success is everyone’s success; we work diligently to accomplish team goals. We place Team Before Self, demonstrate Respect for Others, and possess a can-do attitude. That is how we have grown exponentially.

Role Overview

The Commissioning (Cx) Manager is responsible for end-to-end site commissioning leadership and execution of large-scale, mission-critical Data Centre projects. This role provides strategic and operational oversight of mechanical, electrical, and commissioning activities from mobilization through client handover.

The position requires strong expertise in hyperscale or enterprise Data Center environments, ensuring that all site activities are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and to Tier-level performance standards. The Senior Commissioning Manager serves as the primary on-site authority and is accountable for multi-site coordination, commissioning team performance, stakeholder alignment, and commissioning readiness across projects.

Key Responsibilities:

Site Leadership

• Lead and oversee the commissioning of multiple Data Center commissioning sites.
• Establish standardized site execution strategies aligned with corporate and client objectives.
• Prepare Commissioning implementation plans/ Commissioning management plan.
• Provide leadership to Site Managers, Construction Managers, and commissioning teams.
• Ensure consistency in safety, quality, and commissioning delivery standards across all project locations.

Mission Critical Project Execution

• Direct execution of all mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP), and associated commissioning activities for hyperscale Data Centers.
• Ensure critical systems achieve reliability, redundancy, and resilience targets prior to energization.
• Enforce structured commissioning processes including Level 0-5 commissioning where applicable.
• Drive readiness for Integrated Systems Testing (IST) and final client acceptance.

Critical Infrastructure Oversight

Oversee installation, testing, and commissioning of:

• HV/LV distribution systems and substations
• Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems
• Automatic Transfer Switches (ATS)
• Emergency Diesel Generators (EDG) and load bank testing
• Battery energy storage systems
• Chilled water plants, CRAH/CRAC units, and cooling systems
• BMS / EPMS integration
• Heat Load testing
• Chiller plant management systems
• Power quality monitoring and analysis

Ensure systems meet uptime, redundancy and SLA requirements.

Safety & Compliance Governance

• Champion a zero-harm safety culture aligned with OSHA (or equivalent) and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure full compliance with statutory approvals, electrical inspectorate requirements, and local authority regulations.
• Conduct site audits/inspections and implement corrective actions where required.

Stakeholder & Client Management

• Act as senior on-site representative for clients, consultants, and hyperscale operators.
• Lead high-level coordination meetings and provide manager-level reporting on progress, risks, and mitigation plans.
• Align all stakeholders on commissioning deliverables, energization milestones, and go-live readiness.

Schedule, Risk & Change Management

• Drive project execution in line with master program milestones.
• Identify cross-site risks, resource gaps, and schedule conflicts.
• Collaborate with Project Directors and Commercial teams to manage scope variations, claims, and cost impacts.
• Implement recovery plans where project timelines are at risk.

Commercial & Performance Accountability

• Monitor team performance, productivity, and adherence to our service contracts.
• Oversee budget control at site level in coordination with the regional teams.
• Validate milestone completions tied to payment and commissioning achievement.

Reporting & Governance

• Provide structured weekly and monthly reporting to senior leadership.
• Ensure documentation, certifications, and as-built records are complete prior to handover.
• Drive lessons learned and continuous improvement across national projects.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s or Post Graduation Degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering
• 15 + years of experience in construction/commissioning of mission-critical facilities.
• Proven experience delivering hyperscale or enterprise Data Centers in India or internationally.
• Experience managing multi-site or Pan India project portfolios preferred.
• Strong understanding of Tier standards (Uptime Institute or equivalent frameworks).
• Deep technical expertise in critical power and cooling infrastructure.
• Strong knowledge of power quality analysis and reliability testing.
• Demonstrated leadership managing large multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong contractual, commercial, and change management understanding.
• Excellent stakeholder management and executive communication skills.

Key Competencies

• Strategic leadership with operational execution strength
• Risk-based decision-making
• RCA review and Analysis
• Crisis and incident management capability
• Strong commercial awareness
• High attention to quality and performance compliance
• Ability to manage culturally diverse teams across regions

Others

Primarily working for India region commissioning projects

Expected to support other Data Centre/Building commissioning projects in other global regions.

This job description is not all inclusive and you may be asked to do other duties related to the CAI projects.