Chief Engineer

Trillium Staffing; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

Trillium Staffing is looking for a Chief Engineer of Critical Facilities for a Data Center in Phoenix, AZ. This full-time position involves overseeing all mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, ensuring reliability and operational integrity. The ideal candidate will have 7–10+ years of experience in data centers with hands-on skills in UPS systems and incident response. The role demands strong leadership in a 24/7 mission-critical environment and the ability to manage complex infrastructure documentation and procedures.

Qualifications

• 7–10+ years of experience in critical facilities or MEP environments.
• Strong hands-on experience with UPS systems and generators.
• Ability to read and interpret one-line diagrams and schematics.
• Experience with developing SOPs and incident response procedures.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical authority for MEP systems in a data center.
• Oversee the performance of critical infrastructure systems.
• Lead troubleshooting and incident response in a 24/7 environment.
• Support commissioning activities for new infrastructure.

Skills

Incident response

Leadership

Communication skills

Technical documentation

Tools

BMS

UPS systems

SCADA

Controls systems

Job description

Overview

Trillium Professional is seeking a Chief Engineer of Critical Facilities at a Data Center in Phoenix, AZ. This is a full-time, direct-hire opportunity. Pay range is $58–$70/hour + on-call stipend.

Responsibilities

• Chief Engineer – Critical Facilities serves as the highest technical authority on site for a hyperscale and AI data center environment in Phoenix, AZ.
• Provide reliability, safety, performance, and operational integrity oversight for all critical mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and controls systems across the facility. Supports construction/commissioning activities and ongoing operations, ensuring a seamless transition from build to operational stability.
• Lead incident response and operational decision-making in a 24/7 critical environment.
• Serve as primary technical authority for MEP systems, ensure standards, documentation, and operational discipline are maintained across the site.
• Oversee operation and performance of:
  • UPS systems, batteries, PDUs/RPPs, switchgear
  • Generators, ATS/STS, and fuel systems
  • Chillers, CRAH/CRAC units, cooling towers, pumps, valves
  • BMS, EPMS, SCADA, and PLC-based systems
  • Fire and life safety systems
• Ensure proper system operation during load transitions, maintenance, and fault conditions.
• Incident Response & Reliability Engineering: Act as incident commander for infrastructure events until leadership escalation occurs; lead troubleshooting, stabilization, and recovery efforts during system outages or abnormalities; perform root cause analysis (RCA) and drive corrective actions; identify operational risks and implement reliability improvements.
• Construction & Commissioning Support: Support commissioning and startup activities for new and existing infrastructure; validate system readiness and ensure successful turnover from construction to operations; oversee vendor and contractor execution of critical work in live environments; provide technical review of commissioning documentation and procedures.
• Procedures & Documentation: Own and review all Methods of Procedure (MOP), Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), and Emergency Operating Procedures (EOP); ensure procedural compliance and risk mitigation in all maintenance and operational activities.
• Maintain documentation including: One-line diagrams, mechanical and electrical schematics, equipment histories, maintenance logs.
• Team Leadership & Development: Mentor and support Lead Engineers and Facility Engineering staff; provide technical coaching and training on critical infrastructure systems; assist with onboarding, readiness assessments, and shift coverage planning; promote a safety-first and high-performance engineering culture.
• Safety & Compliance: Ensure compliance with OSHA, NFPA, NEC, and internal safety standards; enforce LOTO procedures and high-risk work controls; support audits including ISO, SOC2, and regulatory inspections; promote continuous improvement in site safety practices.

Required Qualifications

• 7–10+ years of experience in data centers, critical facilities, industrial electrical/mechanical operations, or MEP environments
• Strong hands-on experience with UPS systems, generators, switchgear, and cooling infrastructure
• Experience with BMS, EPMS, SCADA, or PLC-based control systems
• Proven experience in incident response and operational escalation
• Ability to read and interpret one-line diagrams, schematics, and technical drawings
• Experience developing and executing MOP, SOP, and EOP procedures
• Strong leadership and communication skills in high-pressure environments
• Ability to work in a 24/7 mission-critical environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Trade license or certification (Electrical, HVAC, Mechanical, or Stationary Engineer)
• Hyperscale, colocation, or Tier III / Tier IV data center experience
• OEM training (Schneider Electric, Cummins, Caterpillar, Trane, Liebert, etc.)
• Experience supporting construction, commissioning, or facility expansion projects
• Familiarity with AI/GPU cooling technologies (liquid cooling, direct-to-chip, rear-door cooling)

Equal Opportunity

Trillium is an Equal Opportunity Employer.