VP, Commissioning & Validation

About the Role

We're hiring a VP, Commissioning & Validation to own commissioning as a global discipline across our data center campuses in the Americas, EMEA and APAC. You'll set the standard that decides when our critical infrastructure is ready for service, and you'll put your name to it.

You'll build and lead a small central team that writes, owns and validates the commissioning scripts every campus runs. The team authors and validates the standard but doesn't do the field work. Execution is spread across four groups: engineering provides the design basis, construction and vendor crews carry out start-up, local site commissioning teams run the acceptance gates, and operations accepts the facility. You'll keep all four working to one standard, and you'll work closely with our controls engineering team so equipment and its automation are always tested together as one system.

The core of the role is proving equipment where it's built, not finding problems in the field. You'll run the same validated script at the vendor's factory and again on site, with the same acceptance criteria, and keep one traceable record for each serial number from factory test to final site acceptance. The commissioning certificates your office issues carry contractual Service Commencement consequences, so this role has real authority over readiness, acceptance and schedule.

What you'll be doing

Own the global commissioning standard

• Publish and version-control one global commissioning script library (L1-L5 and integrated systems testing), with controlled UL/NEC and IEC regional variants so no region forks the standard
• Define Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) protocols, pass/fail criteria and witness requirements for every critical equipment class
• Co-own controls testing with the controls engineering team, building sequence-of-operation, BMS/EPMS point-to-point and alarm tests into every master script
• Feed every field finding back into the library within one release cycle, and own the deferred and seasonal test registers

Build and run the FAT program

• Run a global FAT calendar with every major OEM, with script releases timed to procurement milestones and witness assignments for each test
• Require witnessed FAT for the most critical equipment (UPS, MV switchgear, chillers, CDU skids, electrical power modules and cooling-plant modules), and apply sample-based witnessing with full data submission to the rest
• Hold green-tag authority, so no critical equipment ships without passing its approved script
• Work with Supply Chain to write FAT requirements, witness rights, script authority and data deliverables into every purchase order and owner-furnished equipment contract
• Reconcile OEM start-up procedures to Nscale scripts before mobilization

Hold commissioning and acceptance authority

• Issue the commissioning certificate required before any phase, building or leased space is accepted, including third-party and colocation capacity, where your standards become the due-diligence checklist
• Decide script content, pass/fail criteria, witness requirements and certificate issuance. Your agreement is required for any script deviation, any acceptance with open critical items, and any reduction in test scope under schedule pressure
• Chair test-standard disputes with vendors and suppliers, and defend the documented, signed script as the contract
• Own acceptance procedures for our central test and integration facility, and advise on equipment testability and contractual SLA test mechanics

Build the team and the operating rhythm

• Hire and lead a day-one team of four: Commissioning Program Managers for the Americas and for EMEA/APAC, plus Electrical and Mechanical Subject Matter Experts
• Direct a large network of local site commissioning teams, integration crews and third-party commissioning authorities who carry out the work without reporting to you
• Within your first 90 days: hire the core team, publish v1.0 of the critical-equipment script library, align the FAT calendar to equipment already in procurement, add FAT and witness terms to the next purchase-order cycle, and set the escape-rate baseline your first year will be measured against

KPIs

• Escape rate below 2%: site acceptance failures caused by defects a FAT should have caught
• 100% FAT coverage: every critical unit tested and witnessed before shipment against an approved script, with results recorded the same week
• 95%+ first-pass yield at site acceptance gates on FAT-tested equipment, with zero major (24+ hour) integration events
• Zero ready-for-service milestones missed for lack of a script, a witness or an agreed test standard

About You

• 12+ years commissioning critical facilities at hyperscale
• Deep expertise across the electrical chain (MV -> UPS -> busway), including NETA practice, protection verification and relay coordination
• Strong fluency in liquid-cooled mechanical plants: chillers, CDUs, dry coolers and fan walls
• Experience running FAT programs inside OEM factories
• Hands-on experience with both UL/NEC and IEC standards across multi-region programs
• Proven at leading small expert teams that direct large delegated-execution networks
• Credible in front of lenders' independent engineers and customer acceptance teams
• Willing to stop a shipment, fail a gate and put it in writing, politely and without exception
• CxA and/or PE credentials preferred

• What we can offer you
• At Nscale, you'll find a collaborative, supportive, and innovative environment where your contributions spark real impact. We're building something extraordinary, and we want you at the core.
• Highly competitive US compensation package (base + bonus + equity), with performance reviews every 12 months.
• Join one of the fastest-growing AI infrastructure companies - your chance to directly shape how global AI capacity is planned and deployed.
• Expect a dynamic progression plan tailored to your ambitions. Grow by leading critical cross-functional initiatives and shaping capital strategy - always with our full support.
• Human-First Flexibility: We treat you as humans first. Our flexible workplace trusts Nscalers to deliver, giving you the autonomy to shape your day around life's moments.

Salary Range $260,000 - $450,000 USD

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