Mechanical Subject Matter Expert-Data Center Construction
Location: Abilene, TX
Rate: $80-$100/hr. DOE
Per Diem: $178/a day x 7
Mob/Demob: $1200
Other Incentives
Contract-20 Months

We are seeking a highly experienced Mechanical Subject Matter Expert to support a massive, fast-paced data center construction project. This contractor will serve as the on-site mechanical expert responsible for providing technical oversight, reviewing design and installation quality, supporting commissioning activities, and ensuring mechanical systems are delivered safely, efficiently, and in alignment with project requirements.

The ideal candidate has deep experience with large-scale mechanical infrastructure, mission-critical facilities, and data center construction. This role requires someone who can operate independently, communicate clearly with engineers, trade partners, construction managers, and client stakeholders, and bring the grit needed to solve complex field issues in a high-pressure construction environment.

This role requires more than technical knowledge. The right candidate must bring a high level of ownership, urgency, and accountability. They should be comfortable working long days in the field, navigating complex construction challenges, and pushing issues to closure.

The ideal Mechanical SME is:

• Technically strong and field-tested
• Calm under pressure
• Direct and professional in communication
• Highly organized and detail-oriented
• Comfortable challenging contractors when quality or safety is at risk
• Collaborative with design, construction, and commissioning teams
• Solutions-oriented and practical
• Resilient, gritty, and able to thrive on a demanding construction site

• Provide subject matter expertise for all mechanical systems associated with large-scale data center construction, including HVAC, chilled water, condenser water, piping, pumps, CRAH/CRAC units, air handling systems, ventilation, hydronic systems, controls interfaces, and related infrastructure.
• Review mechanical drawings, specifications, submittals, RFIs, shop drawings, and field changes to confirm alignment with project requirements, industry standards, and client expectations.
• Support construction teams by identifying technical issues, resolving field conflicts, and providing practical recommendations that keep work moving without compromising safety, quality, or system performance.
• Perform regular field walks to verify mechanical installations are progressing according to approved drawings, specifications, manufacturer requirements, and applicable codes.
• Coordinate with general contractors, mechanical contractors, design engineers, commissioning agents, controls contractors, electrical teams, and client representatives to ensure mechanical work is properly integrated with other disciplines.
• Review and support mechanical equipment installation, including chillers, cooling towers, pumps, heat exchangers, piping systems, air handling equipment, containment systems, and other mission-critical cooling infrastructure.
• Assist with quality assurance and quality control activities, including inspections, punch lists, deficiency tracking, corrective action follow-up, and documentation review.
• Support commissioning and start-up activities, including pre-functional checks, functional performance testing, equipment readiness reviews, issue resolution, and turnover documentation.
• Evaluate field conditions and provide technical guidance on constructability, sequencing, maintainability, accessibility, and long-term reliability of mechanical systems.
• Monitor contractor performance and escalate concerns related to quality, schedule, safety, manpower, or technical execution.
• Participate in project coordination meetings, OAC meetings, commissioning meetings, schedule reviews, and technical working sessions as needed.
• Help ensure all mechanical systems meet the performance, redundancy, resiliency, and reliability expectations required for mission-critical data center operations.
• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure mechanical work is performed in compliance with site safety requirements and industry best practices.

• Minimum of 10 years of mechanical construction, engineering, commissioning, or field leadership experience, preferably on large-scale industrial, mission-critical, or data center projects.
• Strong technical knowledge of mechanical systems used in data centers, including chilled water plants, HVAC systems, hydronic piping, pumps, cooling distribution systems, air handling equipment, and building automation/control interfaces.
• Prior experience working on data center, semiconductor, pharmaceutical, hospital, power, or other complex mission-critical construction projects.
• Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, specifications, P&IDs, equipment schedules, submittals, controls diagrams, and commissioning documentation.
• Strong understanding of construction sequencing, field coordination, mechanical installation practices, QA/QC processes, and commissioning requirements.
• Experience working directly with contractors, design engineers, owners' representatives, commissioning agents, and trade partners.
• Ability to identify problems quickly, communicate solutions clearly, and drive issues to resolution in a fast-moving project environment.
• Strong field presence, attention to detail, and willingness to be hands-on in the field.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work under pressure, manage competing priorities, and maintain professionalism in a demanding construction environment.

• Previous hyperscale data center construction experience.
• Experience with owner's representative, client-side, or third-party consultant roles.
• Experience supporting mechanical commissioning for mission-critical systems.
• Familiarity with mechanical redundancy strategies such as N+1, 2N, concurrently maintainable systems, or fault-tolerant infrastructure.
• Knowledge of ASHRAE standards, mechanical codes, safety requirements, and industry best practices for mission-critical facilities.
• Experience with Procore, BIM coordination, Bluebeam, ACC/BIM 360, or similar construction management tools.
• Professional Engineer license, mechanical trade background, commissioning certification, or equivalent field experience is a plus but not required.