Field Project Manager - Data Center Liquid Cooling

Align Communications • Sterling, VA

18h • Hybrid

About The Position

Align offers a wide variety of services centered around the data center white space. We are a fit-out specialist who manages the entire white space from conceptual design through execution across the country. Our services include designing layouts, overhead support systems (to support conveyance and electrical systems), power striping/redundancy planning for distribution from PDUs to cabinet receptacles, mechanical distribution from CDU to the rack or server, conduit pathways, and low voltage structured cable infrastructure. We are seeking an experienced data center liquid cooling specialist to lead planning, estimating, and execution of advanced cooling infrastructure for hyperscale and AI data center white-space fit-outs. The successful candidate will combine hands-on technical expertise with strong project management skills, overseeing liquid cooling systems from design coordination and procurement through installation, testing, commissioning, and turnover. Ideal candidates have managed liquid cooling projects in hyperscale, AI, colocation, or other mission-critical environments and can effectively coordinate engineers, manufacturers, contractors, commissioning agents, operators, and construction teams. Familiarity with broader data center MEP systems—including electrical distribution, structured cabling, and telecommunications—is a strong plus. This is a full-time salaried role offering $170,000-$210,000 (commensurate with experience) full benefits, project bonuses, paid travel, and advanced training. This position requires 50% travel to project sites nationwide, including AI build locations.

Requirements

• The successful candidate is a practical, field-oriented subject matter expert who understands how liquid cooling systems work and how to coordinate, build, test, commission, and turn them over in mission-critical environments.
• The candidate must communicate effectively in design meetings, submittal reviews, field inspections, commissioning activities, and client discussions while driving technical issues toward practical resolution.
• 7+ years of project, construction, or technical management experience in data centers, mission-critical facilities, mechanical construction, or MEP construction.
• Demonstrated experience managing liquid cooling projects in hyperscale, AI, or other high-density data centers.
• Practical knowledge of direct-to-chip cooling, rear-door heat exchangers, CDUs, manifolds, piping, pumps, heat exchangers, filtration, controls, and related systems.
• Experience overseeing installation, filling, flushing, filtration, pressure and leak testing, commissioning, and turnover.
• Ability to interpret mechanical drawings, specifications, submittmits, schematics, and construction documents and identify constructability issues.
• Experience coordinating subcontractors, manufacturers, commissioning agents, and other trades.
• Strong understanding of data center white-space construction and the relationship between cooling systems and IT infrastructure.
• Strong project management skills across scope, schedule, budget, risk, quality, documentation, and subcontractor performance.
• Willingness and ability to travel approximately 50% throughout the United States.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with hyperscale, AI, NVIDIA GPU, or other high-density compute environments.
• Experience with CDUs, liquid-to-liquid heat exchangers, facility water systems, secondary cooling loops, rack manifolds, quick disconnects, direct-to-chip distribution, rear-door heat exchangers, and technology cooling loops.
• Experience with liquid cooling commissioning and integrated systems testing.
• Experience with a data center general contractor, mechanical or MEP contractor, equipment manufacturer, or specialty liquid cooling contractor.
• Knowledge of data center electrical distribution, structured cabling, and telecommunications infrastructure.
• Experience with Procore or a similar construction management platform.
• PMP or equivalent project management credential preferred.
• Engineering degree or PE license is a plus but not required.

Responsibilities

• Lead data center liquid cooling projects from design coordination through installation, commissioning, and turnover.
• Oversee direct-to-chip cooling, rear-door heat exchangers, technology cooling loops, CDUs, manifolds, piping, pumps, heat exchangers, filtration, and related infrastructure.
• Integrate cooling systems with server racks, IT equipment, power distribution, containment, overhead infrastructure, and other white-space systems.
• Manage scope, schedule, budget, procurement, subcontractors, vendors, quality, and documentation.
• Serve as the technical liaison among Align, clients, engineers, contractors, manufacturers, commissioning agents, and other stakeholders.
• Review designs, drawings, submittals, specifications, equipment selections, and vendor proposals for functionality, constructability, maintainability, and compliance with project requirements.
• Evaluate system capacity, flow, pressure, redundancy, controls, connections, and integration with IT equipment.
• Coordinate with engineers, subcontractors, and field teams to identify design conflicts, installation constraints, and technical risks, then translate requirements into practical solutions.
• Participate in design reviews, BIM coordination, and technical evaluations.
• Direct mechanical subcontractors, specialty installers, construction managers, and field personnel during liquid cooling installation.
• Verify compliance with approved documents, manufacturer requirements, and project quality standards.
• Coordinate piping, equipment connections, rack interfaces, controls, leak detection, power, and supporting infrastructure.
• Monitor quality, conduct field inspections and punch-list activities, and resolve deficiencies before commissioning or turnover.
• Coordinate filling, flushing, filtration, cleaning, pressure and leak testing, startup, functional testing, and integrated systems testing.
• Review commissioning plans, procedures, performance tests, and documentation with contractors, manufacturers, commissioning agents, and operators.
• Troubleshoot issues, coordinate corrective actions, and verify system readiness for high-density IT equipment before turnover.
• Evaluate manufacturers, distributors, contractors, installers, and commissioning firms based on technical capability, experience, methodology, capacity, schedule, and commercial considerations.
• Review proposals and technical information, support equipment and material procurement, and maintain strong industry relationships.
• Coordinate liquid cooling with electrical distribution, busway, PDUs, rack power, structured cabling, telecommunications, controls, containment, overhead supports, and other white-space infrastructure.
• Assess interdependencies among cooling capacity, electrical capacity, rack density, IT equipment, and supporting systems, and resolve cross-discipline conflicts.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options
• 401(k) plan with a dollar-for-dollar company match at 3% up to an annual maximum of $5k.
• Complimentary ClassPass membership to support your health and wellness goals
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Company-paid holidays
• Cellphone Reimbursement Program
• Floating Holiday to celebrate a day that is meaningful to you
• Pre-tax commuter benefits, where applicable
• Employee wellness programs, events, and team-building activities
• Employee referral program
• Project bonuses
• Paid travel
• Advanced training

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed