Why Commissioning Engineers Are the Hardest Hire in Data Centre Construction

If you've tried to hire a commissioning engineer for a data centre project recently, you already know the problem. These professionals are among the most sought-after in the entire construction industry, and the supply simply cannot keep up with demand.

What Makes Commissioning So Specialised

Commissioning is the final and most critical phase of a data centre build. It's where every system — power, cooling, fire suppression, BMS, security — is tested, validated, and brought online. A mistake here doesn't just delay a project. It can compromise the entire facility.

Commissioning engineers need to understand:

• Electrical systems — HV/LV switchgear, UPS, generators, PDUs
• Mechanical systems — chillers, CRAHs, piping, controls
• Building management systems — integration, alarming, trending
• Testing protocols — IST, integrated systems testing, Level 4/5 testing

Finding someone who can work across all of these disciplines, under pressure, on a live programme is genuinely difficult.

The Numbers Don't Add Up

Europe is expected to add over 2GW of new data centre capacity in the next three years. Each facility needs a commissioning team. But the pool of experienced commissioning managers and engineers hasn't grown at the same rate.

The result is intense competition for talent, rising salary expectations, and candidates who can afford to be very selective about which projects they join.

What Works When Hiring Commissioning Talent

Based on our experience placing commissioning professionals across Europe, here's what makes the difference:

• Move fast — the best candidates are off the market within days, not weeks
• Sell the project — commissioning engineers care about the technical challenge and the quality of the team around them
• Offer progression — many senior engineers want a path to commissioning management or director-level roles
• Be flexible on location — the best person for your Frankfurt project might be based in Dublin, and they'll relocate for the right opportunity

How We Help

At ROA Talent, commissioning is one of our core focus areas. We maintain active relationships with commissioning professionals across Europe and the US, and understand what motivates them to move.

If you have a commissioning hire you're struggling to fill, get in touch. We can usually present strong candidates within the first week.