Data Center Chief Engineer

Appleton Finn; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 190,000 - 270,000; Full time

Job summary

Appleton Finn in Dallas, TX seeks a seasoned MEP Manager to serve as Owner's Representative through construction and commissioning of a new data center, with a transition to Chief Engineer upon completion.

You will lead MEP activities, oversee testing and commissioning, develop SOPs, and mentor a growing team as the site scales toward operations, ensuring uptime-ready systems before go-live.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in data center operations or mission-critical environments.
• Proven leadership experience managing technical teams.
• Expert knowledge of UPS, generator systems, power distribution, and BMS.
• Strong decision-making ability under uptime-critical pressure.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Owner's Representative for all MEP activity during construction.
• Lead Factory Witness Testing and oversee acceptance of critical equipment.
• Develop and implement MOPs and SOPs for safe, compliant operations.
• Oversee capacity planning for power, space, and network resources as site comes online.
• Lead incident response and root cause analysis during construction and commissioning.
• Mentor and develop a team of engineers and facilities staff.
• Report on project performance, risks, and improvements to leadership.

Skills

Data center operations

Leadership

UPS & power systems

HVAC & BMS

Decision making

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Facilities Management

Job description

Chief Engineer/MEP Manager – Dallas, TX (Mission-Critical Data Center)

Construction phase now. Chief Engineer upon completion.

A data center Developer in Dallas is seeking an experienced MEP Manager to serve as Owner's Representative through the construction and commissioning phase of a new build.

Upon completion of the facility, targeted for approximately 2029, this role will transition into the site's Chief Engineer position, offering a rare opportunity to help build a facility from the ground up and then lead its ongoing operations.

In this role, you will be the primary point of contact for all MEP-related activity, working closely with construction and critical infrastructure teams to ensure systems are installed, tested, and commissioned to the highest standard before the facility goes live.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as Owner's Representative and primary point of contact for all MEP activity throughout construction
• Lead Factory Witness Testing and oversee acceptance of critical equipment
• Develop and implement Methods of Procedure (MOPs) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to govern safe, compliant, and consistent operations
• Oversee capacity planning for power, space, and network resources as the facility comes online
• Lead incident response and resolution during the construction and commissioning phases, including root cause analysis and corrective action
• Manage, mentor, and develop a team of engineers and facilities staff as the site scales toward operations
• Report on project performance, risk, and improvement opportunities to leadership

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive experience in data center operations, critical infrastructure, or another mission-critical environment
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing technical teams
• Expert-level knowledge of UPS and generator systems, power distribution, mechanical/HVAC systems, and Building Management Systems (BMS)
• Strong decision-making ability in high-pressure, uptime-critical environments
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Facilities Management, or a related technical field, or equivalent experience
• Equity in the company.

This is a unique opportunity to shape a facility from construction through to full operational leadership.