Mechanical Commissioning Lead

GAI Consultants, Inc.•Munhall, PA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

GAI Consultants is seeking an experienced Mechanical Commissioning Lead. The Mechanical Commissioning Lead plans and directs the mechanical field commissioning team on assigned data center and building commissioning programs, leading the hands-on mechanical scope for installation verification, equipment startups, functional performance testing, and integrated systems testing per the project Commissioning Plan, program checklists, and approved test procedures. This role corresponds to the ACG Commissioning Authority (CxA) designation and is internally titled Senior Technical Specialist per program standards. Unlike the Mechanical Commissioning Authority (CxA) role, the Mechanical Commissioning Lead is a supervisory role. The Lead plans and assigns mechanical field scope, directs and mentors assigned Mechanical CxAs, exercises independent technical judgment, owns the quality and completeness of the mechanical commissioning record, and serves as the day-to-day point of accountability to the Commissioning Program Manager and the owner’s commissioning team. The Lead builds and drives an effective multi-discipline commissioning team on every project.

Requirements

10+ years of relevant experience, including 3+ years leading or directing mechanical field commissioning teams
Qualifying experience: combined technical, operational, maintenance, or commissioning experience in critical infrastructure, power generation, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, healthcare, industrial manufacturing, or comparable industries. Examples of Military technical backgrounds (Navy nuclear MMN/EMN/ETN, Army 91-series, Air Force 3E0X2, Marine 1141, Coast Guard EM/MK) translate directly and qualify.
Driver's License required
NFPA 70E Qualified Electrical Worker required or ability to complete during onboarding (safety competency is evaluated, not the credential)
OSHA 30 (Construction) minimum required or ability to complete during onboarding

Nice To Haves

Direct commissioning leadership experience preferred
S. Engineering or other technical degree or vocational/trade certification in relevant field or equivalent hands-on experience will be considered and may substitute for formal education requirements
ACG Commissioning Authority (CxA), BCxP, or equivalent commissioning credential preferred
CxT (ACG) or BCxP - Preferred
Journeyman Electrician license Preferred
manufacturer startup training (Eaton, Vertiv, Schneider, Caterpillar, Cummins etc.)

Responsibilities

Plan, sequence, and assign mechanical field commissioning scope across assigned CxAs against the project Commissioning Plan and construction schedule
Direct and mentor assigned Mechanical Commissioning Authorities (CxAs); review their checklists, startup records, and test forms for technical accuracy and completeness before turnover
Lead L1 Factory Witness Testing: direct witness coverage for mechanical equipment, confirm performance against approved factory test procedures, and disposition findings
Lead L2 mechanical installation verification and pre-startup acceptance: equipment placement, piping connections, support and seismic bracing, insulation, pipe pressure and leak testing, strainer conditions, and pre-startup readiness; coordinate startup authorization with the GC and OEMs and hold open items to closure
Direct L3 mechanical equipment startup: chiller startup, cooling tower commissioning, pump and hydronic system checks, CRAH/CRAC startup, and associated controls point verification; sequence OEM service activities
Own L4 functional performance testing: equipment performance, sequence of operation verification, setpoint validation, alarm testing, and fail-mode response for mechanical systems; confirm FPT readiness, direct execution, and disposition results
Lead L5 Integrated Systems Testing for mechanical scope: develop and sequence the IST script set with the CxA team, direct execution, and confirm cross-system responses against the sequence of operation
Review and approve mechanical commissioning checklists, startup records, functional test forms, and Issues Log entries; confirm same-day transfer to the program documentation platform
Maintain mechanical commissioning status and report progress, deficiencies, and schedule risk to the Commissioning Program Manager
Own disposition of mechanical deficiencies and non-conformances in the Issues Log; assign responsible parties, track to closure, and escalate aging items
Lead assembly of L6 turnover documentation including system test summaries, deferred test logs, as-commissioned equipment data, and O&M documentation inputs
Serve as the day-to-day mechanical commissioning point of contact to the GC field superintendent, mechanical subcontractor foremen, OEM service technicians, and the owner’s commissioning representative
Lead mechanical commissioning coordination meetings; communicate readiness, hold points, deficiencies, and schedule conflicts proactively
Coordinate AHJ inspections and owner witness testing activities for assigned mechanical scope
Enforce site safety requirements across the commissioning team including PPE, sign-in/sign-out, hot work permits, confined space protocols, refrigerant handling safety, and full NFPA 70E compliance
Direct and verify LOTO procedures for all de-energized mechanical work; authorize startup or energization only with confirmed qualified-worker authorization and completed permits
Stop work for unsafe conditions, improper installations, or LOTO violations and report immediately to the Commissioning Program Manager and GC safety representative
Applies advanced knowledge of mechanical systems and commissioning methodology to plan and lead field verification and testing across L1 through L6
Leads by example on documentation quality; reviews and elevates the work of assigned CxAs and treats the commissioning record as a deliverable equal to field execution
Recognizes deviations from design intent, drives resolution, and communicates decisively to the Commissioning Program Manager and the owner’s team rather than proceeding with uncertainty
Builds, mentors, and drives an effective multi-discipline commissioning team and develops Mechanical CxAs toward independent execution
Applies working knowledge of chilled water and condenser water systems; hydronic piping, pumps, valves, and heat exchangers, to execute installation verification, startup, and functional testing
Reads and interprets mechanical drawings, P&IDs, equipment submittals, and sequences of operation to verify installed conditions against design intent
Applies knowledge of cooling (CRAH, CRAC, in-row), BMS controls, and mechanical alarm structures to support startup and functional testing activities
Plans and sequences daily field activities with the mechanical Cx team, subcontractor foremen, and OEM technicians to maintain testing schedule progress
Oversees completion of test documentation on the same-day; maintains daily field log and submits Issues Log entries within 24 hours; supports L6 turnover package assembly, turnover to operations and project closeout
Provides technical direction to the mechanical team; operates independently on assigned activities within that direction; supervises onsite project team as the task manager.
Exercises field judgment to identify deviations and communicates to the project team before proceeding; provides mentorship to junior commissioning team members
Communicates field observations, deficiencies, and schedule conflicts to the Cx Project Manager accurately and promptly in verbal and written daily field logs
Communicates effectively with technical and non-technical audiences including subcontractor foremen, OEM technicians, and GC field personnel