MEP Project Manager

MEP Project Manager, Data Center Construction

Location: Cedar Rapids, IA | Regular Full-Time | Project Management

About the Company

Our client is a top-ranked national general contractor with multi-billion dollar annual revenue, thousands of employees, and offices across the country. They deliver complex, fast-paced projects across mission critical, healthcare, life sciences, aviation, and commercial markets, and are growing their data center and mission critical portfolio. The company offers competitive salary, auto allowance or gas card for certain roles, medical, dental, and vision coverage, generous PTO, a 401k with employer match, life and disability insurance, and more.

The Role

The MEP Project Manager owns the mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection scope on a data center project from buyout through turnover. You will manage field inspections, solve problems, and coordinate all MEP resources and documentation, including selecting and managing MEP subcontractors, reviewing bid tabs and Exhibit Bs, MEP submittals, monthly requisitions, change orders, and subcontractor schedule and performance. On a data center, this means driving critical power and cooling scope on an aggressive schedule through commissioning and handover.

Responsibilities

• Review mechanical and electrical bid tabs and contract exhibits
• Interview and select MEP subcontractors for each project
• Manage MEP subcontractors day to day
• Review and approve MEP monthly requisitions and change orders
• Conduct site walks to verify progress against schedule and contribute to schedule updates
• Coordinate directly with BIM/VDC and the Superintendent to keep coordination on track
• Work with the A/E team to resolve coordination issues
• Review all MEP submittals and prioritize long lead equipment such as generators, switchgear, UPS systems, transformers, chillers, and CRAH/CRAC units
• Develop and monitor equipment delivery logs and track procurement against the project schedule
• Oversee the MEP and fire protection contractors as well as the Commissioning Agent
• Support commissioning activities through Levels 1 to 5, including factory witness testing, startup, integrated systems testing, and load bank testing
• Coordinate with owner, third party MEP contractors, and testing agencies
• Obtain all documentation from inspections and testing
• Collect all close out documentation, including as builts, attic stock, and O&Ms
• Coordinate multi trade scope such as security, controls, and electrical interfaces
• Coordinate with utility companies for temporary power, permanent service, and energization milestones
• Obtain sign off from all AHJs and direct life safety inspections
• Attend weekly owner, subcontractor, coordination, and field meetings
• Develop work lists and manage MEP punch list completion
• Coordinate owner training and turnover
• Verify cross trade coordination, including electrical requirements for mechanical equipment and consistency with electrical drawings

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in a technical or engineering discipline (Mechanical, Electrical, HVAC, Plumbing, Fire Protection, or related)
• 5+ years of experience with MEP and fire protection systems
• 2+ years of project management experience
• Data center, mission critical, or other high-reliability construction experience strongly preferred
• Working knowledge of critical power and cooling systems (generators, UPS, switchgear, chillers, liquid cooling)
• Strong computer skills, including MS Excel, Word, and Outlook
• Ability to read and understand drawings and specifications
• Full understanding of BIM/VDC coordination and clash detection tools
• Knowledge of local, state, and national building codes
• Knowledge of ASHRAE, NEC, NFPA, and LEED requirements
• Strong knowledge of testing, balancing, and commissioning practices
• Ability to make decisions quickly and accurately
• Ability to communicate effectively at all levels