Commissioning Construction Manager - Columbus, OH

DLB Associates is a premier engineering and consulting firm specializing in innovative, mission-critical solutions across hyperscale data centers, advanced infrastructure, and high-performance building systems. With over four decades of expertise, we partner with some of the world’s most influential companies to design and optimize environments that demand precision, scalability, and resilience.

Join us and be part of a team where your voice matters, your work makes an impact, and your growth is a shared priority.

Position Title :  Commissioning Construction Manager / Owner's Representative

Location : Remote – Columbus, OH. This may include travel to any of the 50 US states. Must be willing to be located at CMH until April 2026 or when project is complete. Heavy travel will follow.

Salary

We recognize job-board ranges may not reflect our pay bands; DLB often out competes those ranges for well-qualified candidates.

Job Summary

The Commissioning Construction Manager (CxCM) serves as the owner’s and / or contractor’s representative throughout all phases of the commissioning process (L1–L5).

This role combines traditional Owner’s Representative and Construction Manager responsibilities with specialized leadership in electrical, mechanical, and controls commissioning for mission-critical environments.

The CxCM ensures projects are delivered to the highest standards of quality, schedule, and scope, with systems fully tested, documented, and ready for operational turnover.

Essential Functions

Construction Management, Owner Advocacy & Project Oversight

Act as the owner’s and / or contractors “eyes and ears” on site, ensuring all commissioning activities align with the client’s quality control specifications, commissioning plan, and programmatic expectations. Lead proactive risk identification and escalation pathways, emphasizing early detection and resolution of commissioning issues to maintain project momentum and readiness. Facilitate cross-functional communication among the owner, design team, contractors, equipment manufacturers and vendors, commissioning agents, and trade partners to ensure consistent interpretation and execution of the client’s commissioning standards. Support contract administration and regulatory compliance, coordinating with legal and project management teams to resolve disputes or clarify scope where commissioning deviations are involved.

Commissioning Leadership (L1–L5 Focus)

Oversee and coordinate all commissioning activities, including pre-functional checklists, functional performance tests, integrated systems testing, and final acceptance. Ensure field-level activities—including inspections, documentation, issue tracking, and test witnessing—are conducted in accordance with the client’s commissioning plan of record and QAQC program. Enforce health, safety and environmental requirements and site safety policies, including LOTO, in coordination with contractors and client teams during commissioning activities.

Readiness for Operations

Ensure all commissioning documentation, punch lists, and test results are complete and accurate before turnover to operations. Validate that all systems are fully commissioned, operational, and meet owner requirements. Drive early issue resolution to prevent delays in project closeout and operational handoff.

Document Control & Technical Reviews

Review commissioning plans, shop drawings, submittals, RFIs; verify contractor commissioning requirements are flowed down to vendors; assist in maintaining the field document control system (drawings, tests, inspections, vendor data, as-builts). Ensure all commissioning records are maintained and accessible for future reference. Use common tools (Procore, BIM 360 / ACC, Bluebeam, MS Project / P6, Excel / PowerPoint / Teams) for traceability and dashboarding.

Reporting & Metrics

Provide weekly commissioning updates to keep the client informed of progress. Report status to stakeholders, facilitate root-cause analysis for non-conformances, track dispositions through closure, and generate metrics to communicate overall site commissioning compliance. Requirements

Position Requirements

Strong working knowledge of commissioning processes for electrical, mechanical, and controls systems in mission-critical environments. Proficiency with MS Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams); exceptional organization and file management. Ability to leverage AI, data analytics and emerging technologies to streamline commissioning workflows and drive innovation. Clear, concise communication (technical and non-technical) with the ability to represent the owner directly with contractors and clients. Demonstrated ability to manage schedule inputs and enforce commissioning standards across multiple stakeholders.

Education & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction or related discipline

OR

Two years hands‑on install / testing / validation / troubleshooting of mechanical, controls, and / or electrical infrastructure plus a minimum of 5 additional years of related experience.

Certifications & Safety

Ability to achieve NFPA 70E and / or OSHA training as required; strict adherence to HSE / LOTO policies.

Physical Demands

The following physical demands must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is :

Frequent manipulation of small parts / tools  Periods of stationary work;  Movement through data center and outdoor environments (heat / cold / precipitation), including tight spaces  Stair / ladder access  Occasional overhead / under‑equipment positioning  Occasional lifting up to 50 lbs  Reasonable accommodation available

Travel / Relocation Requirements

Must have a valid driver’s license and the ability to rent vehicles. Travel between 75-100% in various support roles until extended project assignment is received, this may include travel to any of the 50 US states.  Extended project assignment is defined as a project location where a continuous onsite presence is required in excess of 6 months. Project assignments are typically between 9 months and 4 years; however, shorter temporary relocation assignments may be required depending on location and client agreement.  If candidate is not local to a project site - the ability to relocate to the project location within 1 – 3 months of extended project assignment unless the project location supports 100% travel.  Project locations are within the 50 US States.  Temporary or Permanent Relocation assistance is available.  Travel is defined as physically leaving home on behalf of business activities including but not limited to client sites, meetings with other employees, meeting for business development purposes, running errands on behalf of the business, attending industry conferences, etc.

Benefits

DLB Associates offers a very competitive benefits package; highlights include

Choice of comprehensive medical plans (including two PPO-style plans and a HDHP w / HSA option)Flex spending accounts (FSA)Dental and vision plansComprehensive medical, dental and vision benefits extended to spouse / domestic partner and dependent children up to age 26401k with company match and self-directed brokerage account optionPTO including additional paid time off during the last week of the yearCompany paid life insurance coverage for employees and their eligible dependentsShort and long-term disability, AD&D coverageProfessional development opportunities, tuition reimbursement and professional licensing assistancePaid parental leave after one year of employment

DLB Associates is an EEO / Affirmative Action Employer and participates in the E-Verify program with the Department of Homeland Security. We encourage diversity in our workforce.

Are you ready to challenge yourself and redefine standards in the AEC industry? Apply now and join our award-winning team!​

​NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES :

DLB does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to DLB in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where DLB has expressly requested recruitment / staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of DLB and DLB will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.

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