Why this role exists
Nscale raised $3B Debt on 1 Sept 2026Unverified. This role went up 36 days later.
Position Overview Nscale is building the infrastructure behind the next generation of AI. Our data centers are purpose-built for high-density GPU compute, which means power and cooling systems that push well past traditional enterprise loads and leave very little margin for error. The Commissioning Manager owns the commissioning program for one of our data center builds from design review through Level 5 Integrated Systems Testing (IST) and handover to operations. You will lead the third-party Commissioning Agent, coordinate the general contractor and trade partners, and report directly to the on-site Senior Construction Manager as Nscale's accountable voice on whether a system is truly ready to carry customer load. You will manage a small team of commissioning engineers and work closely with Design, Construction, Quality, and Data Center Operations. This is a hands-on leadership role. We need someone who is as comfortable walking down a switchgear lineup or witnessing a start-ups of mechanical system and can running a Cx coordination meeting or reporting readiness risk to senior leadership. Key Responsibilities - Commissioning program ownership — develop and own the Owner's Project Requirements (OPR) alignment, Commissioning Plan, and Cx schedule for the site, fully integrated with the master construction schedule - Cx Agent and contractor management — direct the third-party Commissioning Agent and hold the GC, MEP trades, and OFCI vendors accountable for Cx deliverables, quality, and dates - Design and submittal review — review design documents, Basis of Design, sequences of operation, and submittals for commissionability, maintainability, and resilience - Level 1–5 execution — oversee factory witness testing (FWT), installation verification, pre-functional checks, functional performance testing, and Level 5 IST, including load bank and failure-scenario testing - Electrical systems — lead commissioning of MV/LV switchgear, transformers, UPS, BESS, generators, ATS/STS, busway, and PDUs/RPPs, including coordination with NETA acceptance testing - Mechanical and liquid cooling — lead commissioning of chillers, cooling towers/dry coolers, CRAH/fan walls, pumps, CDUs, and direct-to-chip liquid cooling loops, including flushing, fill, and water-quality verification - Controls and monitoring — verify BMS, EPMS, and DCIM point-to-point checks, alarms, sequences, and integration with Nscale's operations tooling - Issues and risk management — run the Cx issues log, drive deficiencies to closure, and escalate schedule, safety, or quality risks early and clearly - Safety — Help monitor and enforce lockout/tagout, energization procedures, NFPA 70E arc-flash practices, and Nscale site safety standards during all testing activities - Reporting — deliver weekly Cx status, readiness dashboards, and executive-level go/no-go recommendations ahead of each energization and handover milestone - Handover to operations — ensure complete O&M manuals, as-builts, test records, training, warranties, and spare parts are turned over so Operations can run the facility from day one - Continuous improvement — capture lessons learned and help build Nscale's commissioning standards, scripts, and templates for future sites - Team leadership — hire, coach, and lead commissioning engineers and technicians on site Qualifications Required - 5+ years of commissioning experience in mission-critical facilities, with at least 2 years leading Cx on data center or similar critical-facility projects - Proven experience delivering Level 1–5 commissioning, including leading Level 5 IST on a live project - Deep working knowledge of data center electrical (MV/LV distribution, UPS, generators, switchgear) and mechanical (chilled water, heat rejection, air handling) systems - Experience managing third-party Commissioning Agents and holding general contractors and trades to schedule and quality - Strong understanding of ASHRAE Guideline 0 and 1.1, NFPA 70E, NETA ATS, and relevant local electrical and building codes - Ability to read and interpret electrical single-line diagrams, P&IDs, controls sequences, and construction drawings - Excellent written and verbal communication, including reporting to senior leadership - Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent hands-on experience in the field Preferred - Commissioning certification such as CxA (ACG/BCxA), CCP (AABC), or CPMP - Experience commissioning high-density AI/GPU halls, including direct-to-chip liquid cooling and CDUs - Hyperscale or colocation owner-side experience - Experience with BESS, on-site generation, or utility substation interconnection - Professional Engineer (PE) license or OSHA 30 certification - Background in data center operations or critical facilities engineering Character & Conduct What We Value Most: Character & Conduct Technical skills can be taught. Character cannot. At Nscale, we're looking for people who show up with integrity, treat others with respect, and take genuine ownership of their work. As a senior leader on the program, this individual also sets the tone for every direct report and site team they oversee. The following traits matter as much to us as any credential or years of experience: - Integrity — does the right thing even when no one is watching; never misrepresents status, costs, or progress to protect themselves or their team - Ownership mentality — treats the program as their own and holds themselves and their direct reports accountable without being told - Respectful under pressure — stays composed and professional with contractors, trades, direct reports, and internal Nscale teams regardless of the circumstances - Transparent communicator — surfaces problems early and honestly, never buries bad news, and expects the same from the teams they lead - Team-first attitude — ego stays at the gate; the program and the people on it come first - Reliable and consistent — shows up prepared, follows through on commitments, and does what they say they will do We actively seek references that speak to a candidate's character, not just their technical output. Tools & Software - Commissioning platforms — CxAlloy, Facility Grid, or equivalent Cx management software - Construction management — Procore and/or Autodesk Construction Cloud - Scheduling — Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project - Drawings and documents — Bluebeam Revu, AutoCAD/Revit viewers - Controls and monitoring — BMS/EPMS/SCADA platforms (e.g., Schneider EcoStruxure, Siemens Desigo, Johnson Controls Metasys) - Microsoft 365 — advanced Excel for test tracking, issue logs, and reporting Work Environment & Schedule - Hybrid schedule — split between the West Virginia construction site and remote work; on-site presence required for testing, inspections, coordination meetings, and key milestones - On-site work includes time in electrical rooms, mechanical yards, rooftops, and data halls - Standard schedule is Monday–Friday, with extended hours, nights, and weekends required during energization, IST, and critical milestones - Travel up to 20% for factory witness testing and support of other Nscale sites The range below reflects the base salary for the position. Actual compensation may vary based on job-related factors such as skill set, experience, education, and location. In addition to base salary, this role may be eligible for bonus, equity, and/or commission programs. Nscale may offer a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, flexible paid time off, parental leave, and retirement plan participation. Salary Range $100,000 — $180,000 USD For information on how Nscale handles candidate personal data, please see our Employee & Candidate Privacy Notice: Here. Nscale does not accept unsolicited candidate submissions from recruitment agencies.