Commissioning Senior Manager (data centers)

Job description

Who are we? Equinix is the world’s digital infrastructure company®, shortening the path to connectivity to enable the innovations that enrich our work, life and planet. A place where bold ideas are welcomed, human connection is valued, and everyone has the opportunity to shape their future. A career at Equinix means being at the center of shaping what comes next and amplifying customer value through innovation and impact. You’ll work across teams, influence key decisions, and help shape the path forward. You’ll find belonging, purpose, and a team that welcomes you—because when you feel valued, you’re empowered to do your best work. At Equinix, commissioning is about more than validating systems. It is about ensuring that some of the world’s most critical digital infrastructure is ready to perform safely, reliably, and efficiently from day one. As Senior Manager, Commissioning, you will lead the planning and execution of commissioning across large-scale greenfield data center developments and complex retrofit projects within live, mission-critical environments. You will partner across Construction, Operations, Engineering, customers, contractors, consultants, and equipment vendors to ensure new capacity is tested, validated, and ready for operation. This is a highly visible role for a commissioning leader who enjoys solving complex technical challenges, influencing cross-functional teams, developing strong vendor partnerships, and driving consistency across multiple projects. Why This Role Matters Shape Critical InfrastructureYou will play a key role in ensuring new and existing data centers operate safely, efficiently, and reliably. Your leadership throughout the commissioning process helps protect critical infrastructure, support operational readiness, and deliver the performance our customers depend on. Lead Complex, High-Impact ProjectsFrom large-scale greenfield developments to upgrades within live data center environments, you will help lead commissioning across technically complex projects where planning, coordination, judgment, and disciplined execution matter. Influence How We CommissionYou will have the opportunity to strengthen commissioning standards, testing approaches, vendor performance, project schedules, and lessons learned. Your experience will help continuously improve how commissioning is planned and delivered across the region. Partner Across the BusinessYou will work at the intersection of construction, operations, engineering, external commissioning providers, equipment manufacturers, and customers. Success requires both deep technical credibility and the ability to bring different stakeholders together around a common outcome. Support More Sustainable InfrastructureThrough effective system testing and optimization, you will contribute to the delivery of efficient infrastructure and support Equinix's broader sustainability objectives. What You’ll Do Lead Commissioning Strategy & ExecutionDevelop and execute commissioning plans and schedules across multiple data center projects and facilities. Lead commissioning activities for both new-build and live mission-critical environments. Partner with Construction and Operations teams to integrate commissioning requirements into overall project plans and milestones. Manage the regional short- and medium-term commissioning pipeline to support resource and capacity planning. Develop electrical and mechanical Functional Performance Test procedures and Factory Acceptance Test procedures. Maintain commissioning logs, equipment checklists, test documentation, and project tracking tools. Support project budgeting and forecasting for commissioning activities. Identify opportunities to strengthen Critical Environment and commissioning programs. Drive Operational ReadinessHelp ensure infrastructure and critical systems are thoroughly tested and ready to support safe, reliable operations. Identify commissioning risks, deficiencies, and testing challenges early and drive them toward resolution. Capture equipment startup and testing trends and partner with equipment vendors to improve future performance. Translate lessons learned into practical improvements for future projects. Partner With CustomersServe as a senior commissioning contact for customers throughout the commissioning lifecycle. Present commissioning progress, key milestones, risks, and readiness status to customers and internal stakeholders. Partner with project teams to support achievement of Ready for Sales (RFS) commitments. Lead the resolution and communication of commissioning-related customer escalations. Strengthen Processes & StandardsDevelop standardized commissioning scopes, schedules, and testing approaches based on project and customer requirements. Identify opportunities to improve commissioning processes, tools, standards, and execution. Use project data and lessons learned to drive greater consistency and predictability across the commissioning portfolio. Lead Reporting & Performance InsightsProvide clear internal and external reporting on commissioning progress, risks, milestones, and project readiness. Prepare comprehensive test procedures, commissioning reports, functional checklists, deficiency tracking, and operational recommendations. Contribute commissioning data and insights to broader analytics, metrics, and performance reporting. Communicate complex technical information in a way that enables effective business and project decisions. Lead Vendors & External PartnersLead and manage commissioning consultants and other external resources. Develop project-specific commissioning RFPs, manage bid clarifications, evaluate proposals, and make recommendations for consultant selection. Establish vendor performance expectations and KPIs. Conduct vendor performance and quarterly business reviews focused on quality, delivery, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Lead commissioning meetings and drive accountability for actions, risks, decisions, and project milestones. Facilitate lessons-learned reviews and turn findings into improvements for future projects. What We’re Looking ForSignificant experience commissioning complex, mission-critical infrastructure. Typically 7+ years of data center commissioning experience or equivalent experience within comparable mission-critical environments. Typically 3+ years of leadership experience within a mission-critical, construction, engineering, or commissioning environment. Strong knowledge of electrical and mechanical systems and commissioning methodologies. Demonstrated experience developing and executing commissioning plans, Functional Performance Testing, and Factory Acceptance Testing. Experience leading external commissioning providers, consultants, contractors, and equipment vendors. Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and stakeholders in a fast-paced environment. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present technical information, project status, risks, and recommendations to customers and senior stakeholders. Strong judgment, problem-solving skills, and the ability to drive issues to resolution in complex project environments. Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline preferred, or equivalent relevant experience. Ability to travel regionally up to 50%. The OpportunityThis role offers the opportunity to combine technical commissioning expertise, leadership, customer engagement, and program-level influence. You will help shape how complex infrastructure moves from construction to operational readiness while improving the processes, partnerships, and standards that support future growth. The targeted pay range for this position in the following location is / locations are: United States - Dallas Infomart Office DAI : 136,000 - 204,000 USD / Annual United States - Redwood City Office GHQ : 163,000 - 245,000 USD / Annual United States - Chicago Of