The Senior Commissioning Manager - Substation & Utility Systems provides senior commissioning leadership for high- and medium-voltage power infrastructure supporting large-scale data center campuses. This role serves as the commissioning authority for utility interconnections, substations, and off-site power generation (OSPG) systems, ensuring that power assets are safely installed, tested, integrated, and transitioned to operations in alignment with enterprise standards.
While the primary focus is on HV/MV utility and generation infrastructure, this role also maintains secondary accountability for data center electrical, mechanical, and multi-vendor packaged (MVP) systems, ensuring end-to-end integration between upstream power sources and mission-critical facility loads.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as the accountable commissioning lead for high and medium voltage systems, including substations, utility interfaces, and off site power generation assets.
- Define and enforce commissioning scope boundaries from utility interconnection through substations and upstream of data center main MV/LV gear, while ensuring downstream readiness.
- Lead commissioning strategy, sequencing, and governance for HV/MV systems, delegating execution to EPCs, OEMs, and specialized commissioning agents.
- Review and approve commissioning documentation, including:
- Energization and switching plans
- Protection, control, and relay testing strategies
- Integrated commissioning and phased turnover plans
- Provide technical oversight during construction, commissioning, and energization, including issue resolution, change coordination, and safety leadership.
- Ensure commissioning activities comply with utility requirements, regulatory expectations, safety standards, and operational readiness criteria.
- Maintain secondary oversight of data center MEP and MVP commissioning, ensuring seamless integration with substation and utility power delivery.
- Support Integrated Systems Testing (IST), readiness milestones, and operational handover by validating upstream power availability and system performance.
- Serve as the senior escalation point for complex, cross discipline commissioning challenges involving electrical, mechanical, and controls systems.
Vendor & Procurement Leadership
- Direct and manage third party commissioning agents, OEM field service teams, EPCs, and specialized test firms supporting HV/MV and OSG scope.
- Provide technical input into vendor selection and engagement strategies for:
- Substation and switchgear OEMs
- Protection and control vendors
- Commissioning and testing specialists
- Establish clear commissioning roles, responsibilities, acceptance criteria, and escalation paths across all external partners.
- Identify risks related to vendor execution, sequencing, or technical interfaces and drive mitigation strategies.
Market Focus
- Initial Focus: Chicago market, supporting early-phase substation, utility, and off-site power generation commissioning activities.
- Primary Work Locations: Remote-based within Ashburn, Chicago, New York, or Atlanta, with travel up to 50% to project sites as required.
- Secondary: Remote commissioning governance and technical support for other markets as the program expands.
Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent technical discipline.
- 12+ years of commissioning experience in high-voltage power systems, substations, utility infrastructure, or generation assets.
- Demonstrated leadership on complex, schedule-critical programs supporting mission-critical or industrial facilities.
- Substations, utility interconnections, HV/MV equipment, grounding systems, and protection & control.
- Working knowledge of data center electrical and mechanical systems and their interaction with upstream power infrastructure.
- Strong technical judgment, leadership, and stakeholder communication.
- Ability to operate as a senior authority while managing execution through external partners.; ability to influence senior stakeholders and lead cross-functional teams.
- Lead commissioning of utility-scale power infrastructure supporting next-generation data center campuses.
- Play a critical role in ensuring reliable, safe, and operable power delivery from grid to data hall.
- Work alongside industry-leading teams across commissioning, design, construction, operations, and procurement.
- Influence the development of HV commissioning standards, methodologies, and best practices across a growing portfolio.
The targeted pay range for this position in the following location is / locations are:
United States - Chicago Office CHO1 : 150,000 - 224,000 USD / Annual
United States - Dallas Field Office : 136,000 - 204,000 USD / Annual
United States - Atlanta 1 Field Office : 136,000 - 204,000 USD / Annual
United States - New York City Office NYO1 : 150,000 - 224,000 USD / Annual
United States - Ashburn Office AEO : 150,000 - 224,000 USD / Annual
Our pay ranges reflect the minimum and maximum target for new hire pay for the full-time position determined by role, level, and location.
The pay range shown is based on our compensation structure in place at the time of posting and may be updated periodically based on business needs. Individual pay is based on additional factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education and/or training.
The targeted pay range listed reflects the base pay only and does not include bonus, equity, or benefits. Employees are eligible for bonus, and equity may be offered depending on the position.
Equinix Benefits
As an employee, you become important to Equinix's success. We ensure all your benefits are in line with our core values: competitive, inclusive, sustainable, connected and efficient. We keep them competitive within the current marketplace to ensure we're providing you with the best package possible. So, wherever you are in your career and life, you'll be able to enhance your experience and bring your whole self to work.
Employee Assistance Program: An Employee Assistance program is available to all employees.
US Benefits: - Insurance: You may enroll in health, life, disability and voluntary plans that are designed for you and your eligible family members. - Retirement: You and Equinix may contribute to a retirement plan to help you plan for your financial future. - Paid Time Off (PTO) and Paid Holidays: You will receive an accrued amount of PTO each pay period along with various paid holidays for you to rest and recharge. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific plan or program terms.
