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Data center jobs · Commissioning

Commissioning Engineer job

What a data center commissioning engineer does day to day, the travel and onsite schedule, the Level 3 to 5 testing and certifications, and how technicians and engineering graduates get hired.

By Czarina Tabayoyong, Founder, Critical Path Hiring

Last reviewed · First published

Reviewed as terms, pay and markets change.

The job

A commissioning engineer writes and runs the Level 3 to 5 tests that prove a data center's systems work before the site goes live, and directs the technicians who do the hands-on work.

A typical day

  • Write the test scripts for Level 3 to 5 tests
  • Run the tests onsite and direct the technicians doing the hands-on work
  • Record results and log the items that fail
  • Follow up with contractors until the failed items are fixed
  • Write up the test results for the commissioning team
  • Travel to the next site when testing wraps up

Location and schedule

Data center construction sites, onsite during testing. The job is travel-heavy.

Skills and certifications

Required

  • Writing and running Level 3 to 5 tests

Helpful

  • CxA, CCP or NETA certification

Routes in

Commissioning technicians, engineering graduates and military veterans move into this role.

Next roles

This role leads to commissioning manager or cxa lead.

Pay

Pay varies by market and level, and the current ranges are in our commissioning pay ranges page.

Questions

Does a commissioning engineer travel?
Yes. The job is travel-heavy, and commissioning engineers are onsite during testing.
What certifications help a commissioning engineer?
CxA, CCP or NETA certification helps. The required skill is writing and running Level 3 to 5 tests.
How do I become a commissioning engineer?
Commissioning technicians, engineering graduates and military veterans move into the role. Commissioning manager and CxA lead are the next steps.

Next steps