Energy Marshal - Data Centers

Suffolk Construction•Wilmer, TX

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Mission Critical Center of Excellence manages billions of dollars in projects annually, specializing in data center and mission-critical construction for leading technology and telecommunications clients across the United States. Focused on fast-paced, MEP-intensive projects, the group is recognized for delivering complex solutions while offering significant opportunities for career advancement within the thriving mission-critical construction industry. The Energy Marshal is responsible for project-level planning, coordination, verification, and authorization of startup, hazardous-energy-control, and controlled system-state activities on Mission Critical (MC) projects in accordance with current Energy Marshal (EM) Program standards, contractual and client requirements, applicable regulations, and approved project procedures. In this role, startup encompasses the controlled introduction, release, transfer, isolation, or restoration of all energy types across MC MEP Systems, including, but not limited to: electrical, mechanical, thermal, hydraulic, pneumatic, and other hazardous energy forms. The Energy Marshal serves as Suffolk's Gate Check Warden and final independent integration point for startup authorization. In this capacity, the Energy Marshal confirms that the accountable Operations, Quality, Commissioning (Cx), Safety, trade-partner, client, and technical stakeholders have completed and documented their required readiness determinations before startup or a controlled system-state transition proceeds. The Gate Check Warden does not replace those functions or independently certify their work; the duty is to integrate the required inputs, reconcile unresolved conditions, document the authorization decision, and prevent progression when readiness has not been adequately demonstrated. Trade partners and vendors remain responsible for safely executing their work throug h qualified personnel and designated Persons in Charge; project Operations retains construction execution and trade management; Quality verifies installation conformance; Commissioning verifies commissioning readiness. This position reports to either the assignment Sr Energy Marshal or the MC EM Program Manager. Between assignments, the role may support Preconstruction, Technical MEP, Commissioning planning, audits, training, or other program priorities.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Safety, or a related technical discipline, or an equivalent combination of trade, industry, military, and technical experience
Minimum five years of progressively responsible experience in MC construction, startup, Cx, critical-facility operations, or hazardous-energy control, and lockout/tagout activities
Strong technical competence in at least one core MEP discipline, with working knowledge of electrical distribution, MEP system interfaces, and pressurized, thermal, hydraulic, pneumatic, and other hazardous-energy sources
Experience reviewing one-line/system diagrams, Methods of Procedure, switching and isolation plans, and permits
Demonstrated experience coordinating complex or multi-party startup, LOTO, system isolation, system-state transition, energized testing, or critical switching activities
Working knowledge of NFPA 70E, OSHA hazardous-energy-control requirements, and applicable NEC provisions; OSHA 30 certification, or ability to obtain within 90 days, and current electrical-safety and hazardous-energy-control training appropriate to assigned duties
Demonstrated ability to evaluate objective evidence, identify incomplete or uncontrolled conditions, make independent authorization decisions, and communicate unfavorable determinations under schedule pressure
Strong communication, organization, leadership, documentation, conflict-resolution, and problem-solving skills
Ability to work extended or rotating shifts during startup and testing phases
Demonstrated commitment to Suffolk's Core Values of Passion, Integrity, Hard Work, Professionalism, and Caring

Nice To Haves

Hyperscale data center, critical-facility, utility, industrial, or similarly complex MC experience, including medium-voltage systems, protective relaying, and critical mechanical and pressurized systems
Relevant trade technical license or engineering credential, NFPA, NETA, CSP, PE, or comparable qualification
Experience administering formal LOTO, group lockout, startup authorization, or digital hazardous-energy-control systems, including AutoLOTO or comparable platforms
Experience investigating startup incidents, near misses, switching errors, or unintended system -state changes

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain project-specific startup-governance, hazardous-energy-control, access-control, and documentation processes in accordance with current EM Program standards and client requirements
Review startup procedures, Methods of Procedure (MOP), switching and isolation plans, permits, and system diagrams for completeness and alignment with approved standards
Identify systems approaching startup or an energizable, pressurized, or otherwise hazardous condition; coordinate the transition to formal energy-control governance and align startup and energy-control activities with the project master schedule, construction sequencing, Cx plan, and phased turnover requirements
Verify that responsible trade partners designate qualified personnel and a competent Person in Charge for each applicable activity; administer project lock, tag, permit, and access-control processes
Identify and escalate scope gaps, conflicting activities, unauthorized conditions, and other startup or energy-control risks before they affect personnel, equipment, testing, or project milestones
Lead or facilitate startup planning and readiness reviews in accordance with current EM Program standards and verify objective completion of applicable prerequisites
Serve as final independent integration point for startup authorization by confirming required Operations, Quality, Cx, Safety, client, and technical readiness determinations have been completed and documented before progression
Confirm that each accountable function retains responsibility for its own readiness determination; Gate Check Warden authorization does not replace Quality verification of conformance, Cx readiness, Safety controls, trade execution responsibility, or required client and authority approvals
Preserve the dual-key principle: Cx readiness does not replace Energy Marshal authorization, and Energy Marshal authorization does not replace Cx readiness
Document startup authorization decisions, including applicable conditions, restrictions, authorized system state, responsible parties, and required follow-up actions
Verify that required procedures, permits, pre-task planning, and safety controls are in place, and that isolation, lockout/tag out, stored-energy control, absence-of-energy verification, startup, and restoration activities are performed by qualified personnel per approved procedures
Coordinate startup and system-state transitions across concurrent or interdependent systems, and conduct pre-and post-activity field verification to confirm equipment status, isolation boundaries, signage, access controls, and system security remain consistent with approved conditions
Audit field practices against approved EM Program, client, regulatory, and project requirements and require corrective action when conditions deviate from established controls
Verify that applicable system studies, equipment labeling, drawings, and protection or control information are complete and available before affected startup activities proceed
Manage energy-control deviations, unauthorized access, procedural violations, and abnormal system states throug h containment, correction, revalidation, and escalation; ensure changes to approved procedures, system configuration, personnel, sequencing, or field conditions are reassessed and reauthorized before affected work continues
Maintain complete, accurate, traceable, and audit-ready records of startup status, permits, approvals, isolations, qualifications, deviations, and system-state changes within designated system s; provide timely reporting of upcoming startup activities, current conditions, unresolved risks, and residual exposure to leadership
Support investigation of startup-related incidents, near misses, and procedural deviations, verify corrective actions are implemented, and coordinate transfer of startup status and energy-control records during phased turnover
Serve as the primary project interface for startup and hazardous-energy governance with project leadership, Safety, Quality, Cx, trade partners, vendors, clients, utilities, and authorities having jurisdiction; lead startup-readiness, energy-control, and system-state meetings as assigned
Lead implementation and reinforcement of the Gate Check Warden process on the assigned project, including orientation/training, clarification of responsibilities, and consistent application of startup-authorization expectations
Deliver or coordinate project-specific startup and electrical-safety orientation and verify that personnel assigned to controlled activities possess required qualifications and training
Direct the day-to-day activities of assigned Deputy Energy Marshals and other Suffolk EM personnel; coordinate third-party EM resources supporting the project
Maintain independent startup and energy-control authority while supporting project delivery objectives and collaborative working relationships with project Operations; provide lessons learned and field-based improvement recommendations to the EM Program Manager