Traveling Superintendent

Job Title: Traveling Superintendent - Mission Critical / Data Center ProjectsJob Description

This traveling superintendent role oversees the field execution of mission critical, data center, and other complex MEP-intensive projects from site setup through commissioning and final turnover. You will lead day-to-day site operations, coordinate trade partners and critical systems installations, and ensure projects meet rigorous quality, safety, and uptime requirements. The position requires extensive travel to project sites nationwide, hands-on leadership in active operational environments, and close collaboration with project managers, commissioning teams, and client representatives.

Responsibilities

• Participate in project kickoff meetings with project executives and team members to understand project goals, critical systems requirements, commissioning milestones, client expectations, and operational constraints.

• Host field kickoff meetings with trade partners, commissioning agents, vendors, and project managers to align on scope, sequencing, and expectations.

• Manage day-to-day relationships with trade partners and vendors, with a strong focus on critical systems installation, startup, testing, and turnover.

• Maintain effective communication and relationships between site teams, facility operators, client representatives, commissioning teams, and ownership groups.

• Participate in project closeout meetings and provide feedback on trade partner performance, quality, commissioning readiness, and turnover execution.

• Host trade partner gatherings to review project closeout activities and lessons learned.

• Lead and document weekly toolbox talks with all trade partners on site, maintaining records in Procore.

• Lead weekly on-site foremen meetings to review 3-week lookaheads, commissioning activities, constraints, shutdowns, and critical path items.

• Establish and manage site setup, ensuring consistent branding, safety signage, wayfinding, and availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times.

• Oversee site logistics, material flow, equipment deliveries, and storage of long-lead mission critical equipment such as generators, switchgear, UPS systems, PDUs, cooling equipment, and prefabricated assemblies.

• Coordinate installation sequencing and access requirements for critical electrical and mechanical systems to maintain schedule and system integrity.

• Manage and coordinate construction activities within active data centers, mission critical facilities, and operational environments while minimizing disruption.

• Coordinate with the warehouse team for site deliveries and train field staff on inventory systems when implemented.

• Manage, track, and complete punch lists, commissioning deficiencies, and turnover items through project closeout.

• Manage field tickets and on-site change order documentation, ensuring accuracy and timely processing.

• Collaborate with the project manager and trade partners to fully vet field claims before approving tickets.

• Track and document impacts to critical path activities, commissioning schedules, and equipment delivery milestones.

• Review construction documents, drawings, specifications, and equipment submittals with a focus on critical systems and commissioning requirements.

• Review and maintain the superintendent binder in Procore, ensuring all mission critical project documentation is current and complete.

• Collaborate with project managers to develop and maintain detailed construction schedules focused on MEP rough-in, equipment installation, startup, testing, and turnover milestones.

• Create and manage 3-week lookahead schedules in Outbuild to guide field activities and trade coordination.

• Monitor schedule performance and document schedule claims, delays, and recovery plans as needed.

• Understand labor allocation, earned value, and production tracking in coordination with project managers to support project performance.

• Draft field RFIs and submit them to project managers for clarification and resolution.

• Lead field coordination efforts among mechanical, electrical, plumbing, controls, fire protection, and commissioning teams to resolve conflicts and maintain system integrity.

• Support commissioning activities including pre-functional testing, integrated systems testing, deficiency resolution, and final turnover.

• Maintain on-site safety oversight with guidance and support from the Safety Director, ensuring safe work practices at all times.

• Ensure safety training, documentation, emergency response procedures, and mission critical operational protocols are implemented and followed on-site.

• Promote a culture of safety, quality, and operational reliability across all project activities.

• Manage and upload progress photos in Procore or Sway to document construction progress.

• Complete daily logs in Procore to capture work performed, manpower, inspections, and key events.

• Prepare and submit weekly field reports in Procore, summarizing progress, issues, and upcoming activities.

• Track commissioning progress, turnover documentation, and key project milestones, ensuring alignment with client and operational requirements.

• Travel to project sites nationwide and remain on-site for the full duration of each project, providing consistent field leadership.

• Mobilize quickly from the Chicago or home base as project needs require, adapting to changing project locations and schedules.

• Mentor, coach, and support junior field staff to build consistency and capability across traveling project teams.

• Represent the company professionally in client presentations, interviews, and pursuit efforts as needed.

Essential Skills

• 5-15+ years of experience as a superintendent with significant experience delivering mission critical, data center, high-tech, or complex MEP-intensive projects.

• Proven experience managing mission critical projects from preconstruction through commissioning, turnover, and operational readiness, including sitework, structural work, major MEP systems, and critical equipment installation.

• Demonstrated experience coordinating critical electrical infrastructure, including switchgear, UPS systems, generators, PDUs, and associated distribution systems.

• Demonstrated experience coordinating critical mechanical infrastructure, including cooling systems, chilled water systems, CRAH/CRAC units, controls, and building automation systems.

• Strong understanding of commissioning processes, startup procedures, integrated systems testing, turnover requirements, and outage management protocols within active mission critical environments.

• Experience working within active data centers or operational facilities with strict uptime requirements (preferred but highly relevant).

• Strong professional communication skills with clients, design teams, commissioning agents, trade partners, facility operators, and internal stakeholders.

• Demonstrated proactive problem-solving skills, including early identification of design, constructability, and coordination issues during preconstruction and active construction phases.

• Ability to mentor, coach, and support junior field staff and contribute to overall team development.

• Ability to work flexible schedules and weekends, along with extended stays away from home, to support project demands.

• Comfort working on projects valued at $1M+ in complex, schedule-driven environments.

• Comfort representing the company in client presentations, interviews, and pursuit efforts.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience specifically with data center and mission critical environments, including complex MEP and critical systems coordination.

• Familiarity with construction management platforms such as Procore for documentation, daily logs, photos, and reporting.

• Experience using Outbuild or similar tools to create and manage 3-week lookahead schedules.

• Familiarity with Sway or similar tools for progress photo management and reporting.

• No formal degree, software, or certification requirements; candidates from diverse educational backgrounds are welcome.

• OSHA 30 certification is beneficial; if not already held, the company will sponsor completion of OSHA 30.

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail in documentation, scheduling, and field administration.

• Ability to thrive in a collaborative, team-oriented culture that values empathy, integrity, perseverance, and curiosity.

• Interest in supporting a wide range of sectors, including workplace, amenity, retail, hospitality, healthcare, lab and life sciences, and education projects.

Work Environment

This is a traveling superintendent role focused on small to mid-size data center and mission critical projects across the United States. You will be on-site full time for the duration of each project, working primarily out of a dedicated site trailer provided by the company. The first assignment is planned in Kansas City, with a subsequent project in Alabama, and future assignments at various locations nationwide. Superintendent hours are typically 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, while project team hours generally run from approximately 7:00/8:00 a.m. to 3:00/4:00 p.m., totaling around 40 hours per week. The work environment involves active construction sites within or adjacent to operational data centers and mission critical facilities, requiring strict adherence to safety protocols, uptime requirements, and operational procedures. You will work closely with trade partners, commissioning teams, and client representatives in a fast-paced, schedule-driven setting that relies heavily on technology such as Procore, Outbuild, and other construction management tools. The culture emphasizes collaboration, humility, respect, and accountability, with a focus on doing what is right, asking questions, and continuously improving. Team members support projects across multiple sectors, and the organization strives to deliver exceptional value while building an inclusive, innovative future for the industry.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Chicago, IL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $57.69 - $96.15/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: - Medical, dental & vision - Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital - 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available - Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) - Short and long-term disability - Health Spending Account (HSA) - Transportation benefits - Employee Assistance Program - Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Chicago,IL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 13, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.