Project Manager

Job Title: Data Center Project Manager Job Description
The Data Center Project Manager serves as a key technical resource within large-scale data center facilities, leading complex projects that span electrical, mechanical, controls, and architectural disciplines. This role oversees the full project lifecyclefrom planning and coordination through execution, control, and completionensuring alignment with organizational strategy, commitments, and goals. You will join a highly creative, efficient team focused on designing, building, and operating advanced data facilities, while driving continuous improvement across critical systems such as electrical infrastructure, mechanical systems, fire detection, and building automation. The position combines independent ownership of initiatives with close collaboration in multi-disciplinary teams, offering the opportunity to design, develop, and deploy innovative solutions to operational challenges in a fast-paced environment.
Responsibilities
- Lead the overall direction, coordination, implementation, execution, control, and completion of data center projects to ensure alignment with organizational strategies and goals.
- Provide project oversight across all technical disciplines, including electrical, mechanical, controls, and architectural systems, ensuring integrated and compliant solutions.
- Serve as a technical resource within data centers, applying a fundamental understanding of critical infrastructure systems to support design, operations, and continuous improvement.
- Identify areas for improvement in electrical, mechanical, fire detection, and building automation systems and drive implementation of innovative, practical solutions.
- Review, interpret, and validate engineering documentation, including electrical diagrams, construction specifications, and standard operating procedures, to support accurate and safe project execution.
- Manage multiple projects simultaneously, typically ranging from 3 to 12 initiatives at a time, adjusting priorities based on scope, impact, and urgency.
- Oversee contractors and on-site construction trades, including mechanical, electrical, and general trades, to ensure quality, schedule adherence, and safety compliance.
- Coordinate closely with operations, engineering partners, and other internal and external stakeholders to align project deliverables with operational requirements and constraints.
- Ensure all projects comply with relevant building codes and regulations, including Life Safety standards and applicable codes and guidelines.
- Evaluate project requirements across key categories such as capacity, safety, availability, and structural improvements, and manage trade-offs to meet operational and customer needs.
- Engage in regular on-site presence at an operational facility to monitor progress, resolve issues in real time, and support safe, efficient construction activities.
- Incorporate feedback from stakeholders, assess opportunistic new ideas, and adjust project plans to improve outcomes and overall data center performance.
- Deliver results in a fast-paced environment by proactively managing risks, addressing constraints, and meeting deadlines for high-impact projects.
- Maintain a strong focus on safety, ensuring all project activities support a safer environment and align with organizational safety expectations.
- Support the culture of ownership and accountability by clearly communicating expectations, tracking progress, and reporting on project status and outcomes.
Essential Skills
- 5+ years of construction or project management experience.
- 5+ years of experience managing projects in data centers or comparable critical infrastructure in an operational environment.
- 5+ years of on-site construction trades experience in mechanical, electrical, or general trades.
- Experience managing projects in facilities with 24/7 emergency backup systems or similar critical infrastructure, such as manufacturing (semiconductor, automotive, medical equipment, or clean rooms), mass transportation, oil and gas, utilities, or hospitals.
- Proven project management skills, including planning, execution, monitoring, and closing of complex technical projects.
- Knowledge of critical data center equipment and systems.
- Ability to read and interpret construction specifications and drawings across all domains, including data center construction.
- Knowledge of engineering documentation, including electrical diagrams and standard operating procedures.
- Knowledge of building codes and regulations, including Life Safety standards and other applicable codes and guidelines.
- Demonstrated ability to understand and discuss technical concepts with a variety of stakeholders.
- Ability to manage trade-offs, incorporate feedback, and evaluate new ideas in a structured, analytical manner.
- Proven track record of delivering results in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
- Ability to work proactively and independently, meet deadlines, and deliver on multiple projects and tasks simultaneously.
- Strong vendor and contractor management capabilities, including oversight of schedule, quality, and safety.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- 5+ years of experience in the technical field of power distribution and data center mechanical cooling systems.
- Bachelors degree in Engineering, Project Management, Construction Management, or a similar technical discipline.
- Experience with MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) systems in critical infrastructure environments.
- Experience leading projects that address capacity expansion, safety enhancements, availability improvements, and structural upgrades.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with operations teams, engineering partners, and contractors in an operational facility.
- Strong problem-solving skills with a focus on ownership, accountability, and visible impact.
- Comfort working in an execution-focused, high-accountability culture.
- Interest in long-term opportunities, including potential pathways for role conversion and career growth.
Work Environment
This role is fully on-site at an operational data center facility and follows an early-shift schedule, typically from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., aligned with active construction and project work. The environment is fast-paced and highly execution-focused, with a strong emphasis on safety and operational reliability. You will work closely with contractors, operations staff, and engineering partners on a daily basis, often in active construction and live critical infrastructure areas. The culture encourages collaboration, ownership, and continuous learning through hands-on exposure to complex electrical, mechanical, and building automation systems. Overtime may be required based on project timelines and critical milestones. The setting combines office-based coordination with frequent time spent in plant and field areas, where adherence to site safety practices and appropriate attire for an operational facility is expected.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Ashburn, VA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $80.00 - $92.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job
classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be
subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:

Medical, dental & vision
Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
Short and long-term disability
Health Spending Account (HSA)
Transportation benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Ashburn,VA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 20, 2026. About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without
regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,
sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected
by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or
adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,
please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the
city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants
with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a
condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law
shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,
including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications
and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you
acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.