Critical Operations Technician

STACK Infrastructure; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 55,104 - 79,900; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

401(k) program

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Paid Time Off

Job summary

STACK INFRASTRUCTURE is seeking a Critical Operations Technician to maintain essential data center systems and support day‑to‑day operations. You will monitor electrical, mechanical, and life‑safety systems, execute preventive maintenance, and collaborate with local management to ensure peak performance.

The role requires 3–5 years in a critical facilities environment, strong knowledge of building systems, and the ability to work non‑standard hours.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of 3–5 years’ experience in a data center or other related mission‑critical operations role.
• Experience with Microsoft Office and database housing software.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and work well under pressure.
• Strong understanding of electrical and mechanical systems used in a data center (UPS, Transformers, PDUs, RPPs, Chillers, CRAH, CRAC, STS, ATS, Pre‑action).
• Familiarity with NFPA70e, NFPA72, NFPA25 and building codes related to fire life safety.
• US Navy Nuclear Engineering preferred.
• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience preferred.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds.
• Willingness to work outside normal hours, weekends, and on‑call.
• Comfort with high‑stress, fast‑paced environments.

Responsibilities

• Operate, monitor, maintain, and respond to abnormal conditions in facilities systems (Electrical, Mechanical, Building Monitoring and Control).
• Track and trend operational characteristics and provide feedback for standards and processes.
• Work with the Critical Operations Manager to execute preventive and predictive maintenance schedules.
• Assist with database management of maintenance discrepancies and coordinate with site management to resolve issues.
• Ensure data center operates at maximum efficiency and explore new technologies to improve performance.
• Manage systems to avoid unplanned outages impacting customers.
• Follow directions to optimize cooling system performance and manage load capacity.
• Coordinate and oversee power installations and upgrades.
• Navigate and use the CMMS system and document procedures.
• Assist in asset and consumable inventory management and proper labeling of equipment.
• Provide day‑to‑day customer service and support; escalate incidents and prepare follow‑up reports.
• Conduct regular facility and security tours and respond to issues found.
• Provide mechanical and integrated control expertise for the data center; contribute to procedural writing for maintenance activities.
• Potential on‑call duties outside normal hours; perform other STACK‑required duties.

Skills

Data center operations

Electrical systems

Mechanical systems

Preventive maintenance

Safety culture

Microsoft Office

CMMS

Education

High school diploma

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience

Tools

CMMS

MS Office

Database software

Job description

STACK INFRASTRUCTURE (STACK) provides digital infrastructure to scale the world’s most innovative companies. We are an award‑winning industry leader in building, owning, and operating highly efficient, cost‑effective wholesale, colocation, and cloud data centers. Each of our national facilities meets or exceeds the highest industry standards in availability, security, connectivity, and physical resilience. STACK offers the scale and geographic reach that rapidly growing hyperscale and enterprise companies need. The world runs on data. Data runs on STACK.

Responsibilities

As a member of STACK’s Critical Operations team, the Critical Operations Technician must possess strong knowledge in maintaining the mechanical, electrical, fire life safety, base building, and various internal data center systems. The COT will also focus on programs related to Safety, Team, Availability, Communication, and Knowledge, and will be responsible for the day‑to‑day operations of the data center.

• Implement and follow the standardized culture of always working safely across all STACK data centers.
• Operate, monitor, maintain, and respond to abnormal conditions in facilities systems (Electrical, Mechanical, Building Monitoring, and Control).
• Track and trend operational characteristics.
• Provide feedback to management on the effectiveness of existing standards and processes.
• Work with the Critical Operations Manager to complete an aggressive preventive and predictive maintenance schedule.
• Assist with the database management of maintenance discrepancies and work with site management to resolve site issues based on agreed‑upon priorities.
• Ensure data center operates at maximum operational efficiency, analyzing existing operating conditions, recommending new technologies, and improving overall efficiency.
• Manage systems to avoid unplanned, customer‑impacting outages.
• Follow direction from data center management regarding the data floor and back‑of‑house mechanical loading capacity to ensure the cooling system is operating at its highest efficiency.
• Coordinate and oversee power installations and upgrades.
• Navigate and utilize a CMMS system.
• Use developed procedures to solve problems.
• Assist in asset and consumable inventory management.
• Responsible for tracking and proper labeling of all equipment per established procedures.
• Provide day‑to‑day exceptional customer service and support.
• Incident escalation, response, and follow‑up report writing.
• Maintain and complete regular facility and security tours documenting and responding to found issues.
• Provide applied mechanical and integrated control expertise for the entire data center.
• Serve in a technical writing capacity in regard to the derivation of procedures for preventive or corrective maintenance activities.
• The job may require taking on on‑call duties outside of normal working hours.
• Taking on other duties as required by STACK.

The Details

• Travel: None or less than 5%
• Benefits: Healthcare, Dental Care, Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Paid Time Off, Paid Leave Programs
• Must be eligible to work in the United States
• Must pass a comprehensive background screening
• Work hours may vary based upon business needs.
• Job duties, roles, and responsibilities are subject to change over time.

Must‑have Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Minimum of 3‑5 years’ experience in a data center or other related mission‑critical operations role.
• Experience working with various Microsoft Office applications and other database housing software.
• Ability to handle a multitude of tasks and work well in stressful situations.
• Strong understanding of the electrical and mechanical systems used in a data center environment (UPS, Transformers, PDUs, RPPs, Chillers, CRAH, CRAC, STS, ATS, and Pre‑action systems).
• Strong knowledge of NFPA70e, NFPA72, NFPA25, and compliance issues as well as building codes in regard to fire life safety.
• Familiarity and experience in data center trending and analysis, with the ability to rapidly learn and use PC‑based site monitoring systems.
• United States Navy Nuclear Engineering – preferred
• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience – preferred
• Must be able to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Must be willing to work outside normal business hours, including weekends, late nights, holidays, and on‑call support.
• Must be comfortable working in a high‑stress, fast‑paced environment with shifting priorities.

Compensation Range

$40.00 - $58.00

This Might Be Right For You If

• You are a strong communicator, persuasive and clear, blending analytics with experience in decision‑making.
• You do not get flustered easily and can juggle multiple priorities while balancing urgent requests with shifting timelines and deliverables.
• You are a team builder, understanding and developing the strengths of your resources while formulating long‑term plans for the team's success.
• You are naturally curious and driven toward continual improvement; you review and analyze campaigns for future learning.

WHY STACK?

• We offer a competitive compensation package with strong benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) program, flexible spending accounts, and even a cell‑phone subsidy.
• We foster a culture of appreciation, with peer‑to‑peer recognition and rewards programs.
• Fun is part of our DNA, with events, game nights, happy hours, and barbecues.
• We’re growing – this is a great time to join and make an impact!

STACK is an Equal‑Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, national origin, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.

Note to external agencies: We are not accepting any blind submissions or resumes/cvs from recruitment agencies. Any candidates sent to STACK Infrastructure, Inc. will not be accepted or considered as a submission without a signed agreement in place. Fees will not be paid in the event a candidate submitted by a recruiter without an agreement in place is hired; such resumes will be deemed the sole property of STACK Infrastructure, Inc.