Director of Commissioning

Job Description

Meade is seeking a Director of Commissioning with deep electrical and mechanical expertise to lead Meade's commissioning strategy, standards, and delivery for mission-critical data center projects. This role reports to the CEO or VP and works closely with the Project Manager and Senior Engineers.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish and enforce organization-wide commissioning policies, templates, standards, and quality benchmarks.
• Develop high-level Commissioning Plans focused on strategy, budget, and project-wide objectives.
• Define and monitor KPIs, risk frameworks, and alignment with executive business objectives.
• Lead talent strategy and succession planning, including building bench strength across regions.
• Represent the organization in C-level client negotiations, relationship management, and critical escalations.

Job Duties

• Leadership & Strategy:
• Provide executive-level oversight and strategic direction for the entire data center commissioning program (L1–5), ensuring alignment with organizational goals and mission-critical requirements.
• Lead high-level stakeholder engagement, program-level risk management, and resolution of major escalations.
• Lead, develop, and deploy commissioning teams, including staffing, utilization, and succession planning.
• Champion organizational standards, cross-functional collaboration, and continuous improvement across the commissioning program.
• Negotiate master service agreements with key vendors.
• Performance & Profitability:
• Own financial performance, including forecasting, utilization, margins, invoicing, and profitability.
• Approve major deliverables, resource allocation, and handover decisions.
• Define, monitor, and report on project KPIs and performance metrics.
• Technical Excellence:
• Serve as the primary technical authority for commissioning of complex MEP systems.
• Develop high-level Business Commissioning Plans focused on strategy, budget, and objectives.
• Define, standardize, and enforce commissioning methods, quality standards, safety practices, and regulatory compliance (NEC, ASHRAE, NFPA, etc.).
• Act as the primary escalation point for critical technical, safety, or client issues.
• Operational Execution:
• Partner with the Project Manager to ensure projects stay on schedule and within budget.
• Engage directly in execution, system startup, and troubleshooting for critical issues as needed.
• Translate project performance and lessons learned into operational improvements.
• Business Development:
• Maintain senior-level client relationships and represent the commissioning practice on major accounts.
• Support business growth through pursuits, proposals, scoping, and client interviews.

Minimum Qualifications

• 12+ years of progressive experience in commissioning, building engineering, or MEP construction, with at least 7 years in progressive leadership roles overseeing teams, budgets, and strategic operations.
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or a related engineering discipline (Master's degree preferred).
• Demonstrated technical expertise across complex MEP systems, including HVAC, CRAC/CRAH units, chillers, boilers, UPS, generators, medium-voltage electrical systems, BMS, and control sequences.
• Proven experience owning financial performance (margins, utilization, forecasting, and profitability) for commissioning operations or engineering services.
• Strong working knowledge of industry codes and standards (NEC, ASHRAE, NFPA, IEEE, etc.) and commissioning best practices.
• Demonstrated success leading multidisciplinary teams in high-stakes, high-pressure environments (data center or mission-critical projects preferred).
• Excellent communication and influence skills with the ability to engage C-level stakeholders, clients, and internal executives.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite; experience with Bluebeam, AutoCAD, Revit, and commissioning management software such as CxAlloy is a plus.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Commissioning Professional (CCP), CxA, or equivalent certification preferred.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.
• Direct experience leading commissioning programs for hyperscale data centers or large technology clients.
• Multi-region or national program leadership experience, including scaling teams and operational models.
• Familiarity with various construction delivery methods and commissioning integration across project phases.

Core Competencies

• Executive technical leadership and strong engineering judgment in complex MEP and data center systems.
• Strategic, outcome-driven thinker with proven ability to translate strategy into effective execution.
• Prominent ability to build, mentor, and lead high-performing commissioning teams across regions.
• Strong client focus with excellent C-level relationship management and negotiation skills.
• Deep commitment to safety, quality, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence.
• Effective collaborator who builds strong partnerships across disciplines and business units.
• Decisive problem-solver who excels in high-pressure, dynamic field environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including technical and executive-level presentations.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple large-scale projects and priorities simultaneously.

Compensation & Benefits

This position is available to candidates residing in the following states: AL, AZ, AR, FL, GA, IN, MI, MO, NV, OH, OK, SC, TX, UT, VA, WA, WV. Compensation and benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and may vary based on location and applicable laws. The pay range for this position will be provided in accordance with applicable state and local laws. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors such as skills, experience, qualifications, internal equity, geographic location, and business needs. The estimate pay ranges for this role are as follows: Virginia: $177,000-$228,000 Washington: $209,000-$294,000 Eligible employees may participate in Meade-sponsored benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability coverage, 401(k), paid time off, paid holidays, and other company-sponsored benefits. Benefit eligibility and offerings are subject to plan terms and applicable policies. Equal Opportunity Employer: Information submitted during the application process will be handled in accordance with applicable privacy laws. Meade provides equal employment opportunity in all aspects of employment. We do not discriminate against employees or applicants based on race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy (including childbirth, breastfeeding, lactation, and related medical conditions), age, disability, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. In compliance with federal law, Meade provides applicants and employees with access to the EEOC Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal poster. CA Residents: SB294 Know Your Right Notice. All employment is based on qualifications, merit, and business need. If you require a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, please contact our team at recruiting@meadeengineering.com. Employment with Meade is at-will, meaning either the employee or Meade may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or advance notice, subject to applicable law. The responsibilities listed in this job description are intended to describe the general nature of the role and are not an exhaustive list. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Employment may be contingent upon the successful completion of background checks, drug testing, and other pre-employment requirements, permitted by applicable law. Drug-Free Workplace: Meade maintains a Drug-Free Workplace. Post-offer applicants and employees may be subject to drug and alcohol testing in accordance with applicable law, company policy, client requirements, and job-related safety considerations. Privacy Policy - Meade