Director of Energy Control & Commissioning Safety

Atlas Connections has partnered with a vertically integrated data center solutions provider to find a Director of Energy Control & Commissioning Safety. This executive-level role owns enterprise-wide leadership for all electrical and mechanical energy control activities across large-scale data center construction, commissioning, energization, and operational readiness efforts.Position OverviewThe Director of Energy Control & Commissioning Safety provides enterprise-wide leadership for all electrical and mechanical energy control activities across construction and commissioning operations. This role owns the development, governance, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Hazardous Energy Control Program (HECP), with a strong focus on mission critical MEP systems, electrical energization planning, commissioning safety, LOTO execution, SafeState verification, and high-risk energy management.The Director serves as the organization's technical authority and escalation point for complex energization decisions, high-risk commissioning events, and electrical safety conflicts. This person partners closely with Commissioning, Construction, Operations, Service, HSE, Project Leadership, and field Energy Marshals to ensure all energization, testing, startup, and turnover activities are executed safely and in compliance with NFPA 70E, NEC, OSHA 1910/1926, LOTO standards, and energized work controls.What You'll DoEnterprise Energy Control Strategy & GovernanceDevelop and maintain the enterprise Hazardous Energy Control ProgramEstablish standardized energization, LOTO, and commissioning safety protocols across all projectsDefine qualification standards and authorization processes for Energy MarshalsEnsure alignment with NFPA 70E, NEC, OSHA 1910/1926, and applicable regulatory requirementsOversee enterprise-level auditing and compliance systems for energy control performanceCommissioning & MEP Safety LeadershipPartner with Commissioning Directors and MEP leaders to integrate safety into energization sequencing and startup planningReview and approve first-time energization plans, complex system releases, and Methods of Procedure (MOPs)Ensure SafeState verification prior to system energizationLead enterprise oversight of temporary power installations, primary injection and hi-pot testing, switchgear and bus energization, and mechanical system pressurization and startupEnergy Marshal Program LeadershipLead and develop the Energy Marshal Program enterprise-wideDirectly manage Energy Control HSE Managers and Senior Energy MarshalsApprove Energy Marshal certifications and field authorizationsEstablish annual competency validation and technical standardsServe as escalation authority for energization disputes or risk conflictsRisk Management & High-Risk Activity OversightIntegrate Energy Control requirements into High-Risk Activity (HRA) planningParticipate in 4-week look-ahead reviews for upcoming energizationsOversee development and maintenance of the Energy Risk RegisterDrive reduction of electrical and mechanical Serious Injury & Fatality (SIF) exposurePerformance Monitoring & Continuous ImprovementDevelop leading and lagging KPIs specific to energy controlConduct enterprise energy incident investigations and root cause reviewsLead quarterly audits of energization events and LOTO complianceHost enterprise energy safety summits and drive lessons-learned integrationLeadership & CulturePromote a 100% direct control in place philosophy for energy-related operationsReinforce stop-work authority for all Energy MarshalsMentor HSE and operational leaders on energy-based risk decision-makingChampion SafeState as a non-negotiable condition prior to energizationRequired QualificationsBachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Safety, or related field (or equivalent experience)10+ years of experience in electrical construction, commissioning, or mission-critical environments7+ years leading high-risk electrical and mechanical energy control programsDeep technical expertise in NFPA 70E, Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), electrical testing and commissioning, energization sequencing, and protective coordination and arc flash analysisDemonstrated leadership of multi-site or campus-level operationsPreferred QualificationsCertified Electrical Safety Compliance Professional (CESCP)Certified Safety Professional (CSP)Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) or Master ElectricianNETA Certification (Level III or IV)OSHA 500 or equivalent instructor-level certification