Chief Engineer – Facilities & Data Center Operations

HireTalent; Lake Forest (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

HireTalent is seeking a hands-on Chief Engineer to lead facilities and data center operations in Lake Forest, IL. You will oversee critical infrastructure, drive proactive maintenance, and elevate reliability across complex building systems.

The role demands deep experience in facilities engineering, data center maintenance, and leadership of technical teams. A strategic partner to operations, you will manage budgets and vendor relationships to ensure safe, resilient facilities.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in commercial/industrial facilities engineering or similar.
• 5+ years in data center maintenance.
• Strong knowledge of BAS, HVAC controls, electrical distribution, emergency power, chilled water.
• Experience with CMMS and reliability-centered maintenance.
• Proven leadership and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering and maintenance across HVAC, BAS, electrical, emergency power, and critical infrastructure.
• Serve as senior technical resource for troubleshooting and reliability improvements.
• Develop maintenance standards and mentor technicians.
• Manage capital, infrastructure, renovation, and maintenance projects end-to-end.
• Oversee vendors, budgets, asset planning, and business continuity.

Skills

Facilities engineering

Data center operations

Leadership

Troubleshooting

Vendor management

Tools

CMMS

BAS

Emergency power tools

Job description

Chief Engineer – Facilities & Data Center Operations

Ready to take the lead on mission-critical facilities and data center infrastructure? Our Client is looking for a hands-on Chief Engineer who can lead technical operations, strengthen reliability, and keep complex building systems running safely and efficiently.

What You’ll Do:

• Lead engineering and maintenance operations across HVAC, BAS, electrical distribution, emergency power, chilled water, life safety, and critical infrastructure.
• Serve as the senior technical resource for troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and reliability improvements.
• Lead and develop maintenance technicians while establishing strong maintenance standards and practices.
• Manage capital, infrastructure, renovation, and maintenance projects from planning through completion.
• Oversee vendors, contractors, budgets, asset planning, and business continuity initiatives.

What You’ll Bring:

• 7+ years of progressive experience in commercial/industrial facilities engineering, building operations, or critical infrastructure maintenance.
• 5+ years of data center maintenance experience.
• Strong knowledge of BAS, HVAC controls, electrical distribution, emergency power, chilled water, and critical facility operations.
• Experience with CMMS, reliability-centered maintenance, capital projects, and vendor management.
• Strong leadership, troubleshooting, communication, and organizational skills.