Senior Director, Commissioning and Startup

Role description

Role Overview

We are hiring a Senior Director, Commissioning and Startup to own the transition of Nscale's power generation assets from mechanical completion to commercial operation. Nscale's Power & Energy group develops and delivers multi-gigawatt generation colocated with our data center campuses: large reciprocating engine fleets, fuel cells, battery energy storage systems, high-voltage switchgear and substations, and the fuel gas, water, and controls infrastructure that supports them. Getting these assets from "built" to "running reliably" is one of the highest-leverage phases of the entire program, and this role owns it.

What You Will Do

Commissioning and startup leadership, own end-to-end commissioning and startup strategy, planning, and execution for Nscale's power generation assets, from mechanical completion through performance testing to commercial operation.

Why It Might Be a Fit

This is a strategic and hands-on leadership role. You will build Nscale's power generation commissioning and startup function, its standards, and its team, while personally driving execution on active projects.

Requirements

• 15+ years of experience in commissioning, startup, and operations of power generation or comparable heavy process facilities, with senior leadership of at least one major greenfield startup from mechanical completion through commercial operation.
• Deep, hands-on technical knowledge across mechanical, electrical, and controls systems, including engine or turbine generation, medium- and high-voltage switchgear and protection, BESS, fuel gas systems, and plant control systems.
• Direct experience with energization planning, first fire, performance testing, and reliability demonstrations, ideally including island-mode or behind-the-meter generation.
• Strong process safety grounding: PSSR, permit-to-work, MOC, and safe energization practices as working disciplines, not paperwork.
• Proven ability to direct EPC contractors and OEM commissioning teams, and to resolve technical disputes on the basis of data and engineering judgment.
• Experience engaging in design development and design reviews from an operations and startup perspective.
• Track record of building teams, standards, and processes in a fast-scaling environment, and comfort operating with ambiguity while doing so.
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Chemical Engineering or a related field; PE license or equivalent professional credential is an advantage.

Benefits

• Highly competitive US compensation package (base + bonus + equity), with performance reviews every 12 months
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Generous PTO plus US federal holidays
• A career-defining opportunity to be an early leader in one of the fastest growing AI infrastructure companies in the world
• A human-first approach: we treat you as humans first. Our flexible workplace trusts Nscalers to deliver, giving you the autonomy needed to get the job done.