About this opportunity
Jacobs lists this Director, Turnover, Startup and Commissioning (Data Centers) opportunity in lawrence, Kansas. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.
Job description
At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.
Your impact
At Jacobs, we're not just building structures, we're powering the digital age. Our teams help clients innovate and grow by designing, engineering, and executing the construction of cutting-edge data center facilities that support the world's most critical infrastructure.
As Leader of Turnover, Startup & Commissioning , you will provide leadership, technical direction, and oversight for turnover, startup, energization, and commissioning activities across our AI Data Center (AIDC) portfolio. You will establish and implement consistent strategies, standards, and execution practices that support the safe, efficient progression of systems from construction completion through commissioning and final turnover to our clients.
You will lead geographically dispersed teams and work closely with Construction, Field Quality, Engineering, OEMs, trade partners, commissioning organizations, and client stakeholders to develop system-based execution strategies aligned with project schedules and commissioning requirements. This includes establishing system and subsystem boundaries, turnover sequencing, completion criteria, and readiness milestones that enable progressive turnover and commissioning.
You and your teams will provide leadership and oversight for system walkdowns, punchlist management, construction completion, pre-functional testing, startup, energization, functional testing, integrated systems testing, commissioning documentation, and the transfer of care, custody, and control. You will ensure required inspections, testing, documentation, and prerequisite activities are complete and appropriately verified before systems advance through each stage of turnover and commissioning.
You will also champion consistent use of digital platforms and data to manage system status, completion, testing, punchlists, turnover packages, commissioning activities, and performance metrics across projects. Working with project and functional leadership, you will identify systemic issues, remove barriers to system completion, and continuously improve turnover and commissioning methodologies across the AIDC portfolio.
Key Responsibilities
Develop and implement AIDC turnover, startup, and commissioning strategies, standards, and execution plans across projects and regions.
Lead systemization, boundary development, turnover sequencing, and commissioning readiness planning in alignment with construction and master project schedules.
Provide leadership and technical oversight for construction completion, walkdowns, punchlists, pre-functional testing, startup, energization, functional testing, and integrated systems testing.
Establish clear readiness criteria and stage-gate requirements for progression from construction through turnover, startup, commissioning, and final client acceptance.
Coordinate activities among Construction, Field Quality, Engineering, OEMs, trade partners, commissioning teams, and client stakeholders.
Ensure required testing, inspections, documentation, and turnover records are complete, accurate, and readily accessible.
Drive standardized turnover packages, commissioning documentation, workflows, and digital tools across the AIDC portfolio.
Provide technical leadership in the interpretation of drawings, specifications, system architecture, controls, and commissioning requirements.
Identify systemic execution issues and lead cross-functional resolution to protect safety, quality, schedule, and commissioning readiness.
Develop organizational capability through team leadership, mentoring, lessons learned, and continuous improvement.
Here's what you'll need
Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline; equivalent relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
12+ years of progressive experience in construction completion, turnover, startup, commissioning, or related execution roles on data centers, mission-critical facilities, or similarly complex projects.
Strong understanding of systems-based construction completion, turnover, startup, energization, and commissioning processes.
Working knowledge of electrical, mechanical, controls, HVAC, and critical utility/infrastructure systems common to data centers.
Advanced ability to read and interpret construction drawings, including single-line diagrams, P&IDs, schematics, equipment layouts, and control documentation.
Experience developing and implementing standardized processes, procedures, documentation, and digital workflows across multiple projects.
Strong leadership, communication, stakeholder-management, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to provide leadership presence on active construction sites, including appropriate PPE and client-facing activities.
OSHA 30 certification required or ability to obtain.
Ability and willingness to travel to project locations as required.
Ideally, You'll Also Have
Experience with hyperscale or AI data-center delivery; commissioning level frameworks and integrated systems testing; digital construction, completions, and commissioning platforms; and development of portfolio-level metrics and dashboards for turnover and commissioning performance
Demonstrated success leading large, multi-discipline teams and programs across multiple projects or geographic locations.
Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Your health. Your well-being. Your security. Your future. Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount. Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan. Jacobs has an unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full-time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, and caregiver leave. And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.
The base salary range for this position is $182,500.00 to $251,000.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. Job posted on September 14, 2026. This position will be open for at least 3 days.
Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for employment
We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.
Your application experience is important to us, and we're keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.
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Worksite address
lawrence, KS, 66045, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.