Commissioning Manager - Japan

CAI Overview:

Are You Ready?

CAI is a professional services company established in 1996 that has grown year over year to nearly 700 people worldwide. For Life Sciences and Mission Critical industries that need to deliver critical solutions in high-stakes environments, we provide accelerated operational readiness and unparalleled performance at the highest standard through our rigorous approach, field-tested processes, and elite expertise developed over 30 years.

Our approach is simple because ourPurpose informs everything we do:

• We exist to be the trusted solution for our clients as they strive to build a better working world and improve human experience.

At CAI, we are committed to living our Foundational Principles, both professionally and personally: 

• We act with integrity 
• We serve each other 
• We serve society 
• We work for our future 

At CAI, we believe in a relentless dedication to excellence, pushing boundaries and surpassing

expectations. From the beginning, we’ve challenged ourselves to do what others wouldn’t. Not just setting industry standards but redefining them entirely. We are bold in our thinking and creative in our approach. We operate at the intersection of wisdom and technology and thrive when they come together with humanity. For us, operational readiness isn’t simply a goal. It’s a way of life. Because tomorrow demands to be at the forefront of today. We do this through tireless effort, precision, efficiency and an unwavering belief that there is always room for advancement. We’re not interested in how it used to be done. We’re obsessed with how it will be done.

The Commissioning Manager will be responsible for leading the planning, coordination, and execution of commissioning activities across mission-critical projects in Japan. The role ensures that all critical systems are commissioned safely, efficiently, and in accordance with project specifications, client requirements, and industry best practices. Working closely with clients, consultants, contractors, vendors, and project teams, the Commissioning Manager will drive system readiness, testing, validation, and successful project handover while maintaining the highest standards of quality, safety, and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage all commissioning, testing, and validation activities within the contracted scope of works, including HVAC, cooling systems, airflow management, hydronic systems, chilled water, refrigerant and return piping, plumbing systems, UPS, DC systems, Generators, Transformers, HV/LV Switchboards, HV/LV Electrical distribution system, Security system, Automatizations systems, BMS and EPMS systems and associated infrastructure.
• Act as the primary commissioning lead on assigned projects, providing technical leadership throughout commissioning, startup, integrated systems testing, and project closeout.
• Coordinate commissioning activities with clients, contractors, consultants, equipment manufacturers, and project stakeholders to ensure successful project execution and alignment with commissioning objectives.
• Provide technical advice and recommendations regarding system performance, operational readiness, commissioning methodologies, constructability, sequencing, resource planning, and risk mitigation.
• Review designs, technical submittals, equipment documentation, and commissioning deliverables to verify compliance with project specifications, Owner's Project Requirements (OPR), Basis of Design (BoD), and applicable industry standards.
• Develop, review, and implement commissioning documentation including Commissioning Plans, Inspection & Test Plans (ITPs), pre-functional checklists, functional performance tests (FPTs), integrated systems tests (ISTs), test scripts, commissioning procedures, commissioning schedules and client Maintenance Operation Procedures (MOP).
• Effectively monitor project performance using company tools and dashboards, and establish meaningful KPIs to track progress, identify improvement opportunities, and support successful project delivery.
• Plan, coordinate, witness, and approve Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT), Factory Witness Tests (FWT), Site Acceptance Tests (SAT), and other verification activities as required.
• Ensure all commissioning activities are executed in accordance with approved procedures, project schedules, quality standards, and client expectations.
• Drive commissioning progress by coordinating multidisciplinary teams to achieve system readiness, startup, balancing, validation, and final handover milestones.
• Monitor commissioning performance, identify technical risks, deficiencies, and non-conformances, and implement corrective actions to ensure compliance with project requirements.
• Verify that all required quality records, certifications, vendor documentation, test reports, and commissioning records are complete, accurate, and approved prior to system energisation and handover.
• Support project planning by assisting in the development of commissioning schedules, resource plans, and progress reporting while monitoring performance against project milestones.
• Supervise commissioning engineers, technicians, and specialist subcontractors, providing technical guidance, mentoring, and leadership throughout project delivery.
• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure all commissioning activities comply with company HSE policies, local regulations, and client safety requirements.
• Support final system acceptance, client training, turnover, and project closeout, ensuring all commissioning documentation and deliverables are completed to the required standard.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification in a related engineering discipline.
• Minimum of 7+ years of commissioning experience within the Mission Critical industry, with a strong preference for data centre projects.
• Strong understanding of commissioning processes, integrated systems testing, and system performance validation.
• Knowledge of international commissioning standards, quality management systems, and industry best practices.
• Excellent technical problem-solving and analytical skills with the ability to resolve complex site issues.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills with experience working in multicultural project environments.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams while managing multiple priorities in fast-paced project environments.
• High attention to detail with a strong commitment to quality, safety, and customer satisfaction.
• Previous experience working on projects in Japan or within the Asia-Pacific region is desirable.
• Japanese language proficiency is advantageous but not essential depending on project requirements.