Data Center Chief Engineer - ORD

Edc; Aurora (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Edc is seeking a skilled Facilities Operations Leader to manage a team of facility technicians and oversee critical systems at a data center–like site. You will ensure safety, regulatory compliance, and operational readiness, while aligning staffing and performance with Site Operations Manager goals.

Responsibilities cover maintenance planning, incident management, vendor coordination, and reporting to senior management.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or technical degree or equivalent military training.
• 5-7 years in data center/critical facilities or mission-critical environments.
• 2-3 years in a supervisory or lead role.
• Strong technical expertise in electrical, mechanical, HVAC, and fire life safety systems.
• Experience with CMMS, BMS, and other monitoring tools.
• Proven ability to lead teams under pressure and deliver results in high-availability environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of facility technicians, ensuring high performance and professional growth.
• Oversee shift coverage, assignments, and resource allocation for site readiness.
• Conduct performance evaluations, coaching, and career development for direct reports.
• Foster a safety, compliant, and collaborative culture across operations.
• Report staffing performance and needs to the Site Operations Manager.

Skills

Leadership

Problem solving

Communication

MS Office

CMMS

Reporting tools

On-call rotations

Education

Associate degree

Technical degree

Equivalent military training

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Tools

CMMS

BMS

Monitoring tools

Job description

Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of facility technicians, ensuring high performance, accountability, and professional growth.

• Oversee shift coverage, work assignments, and resource allocation to maintain site readiness and operational reliability.

• Conduct performance evaluations, deliver coaching, and support career development for direct reports.

• Foster a culture of safety, compliance, and teamwork across all operations.

• Report staffing performance, issues, and needs to the Site Operations Manager for alignment with organizational goals.

Operations & Compliance

• Ensure all operations comply with company policies, safety standards, and regulatory requirements.

• Review and approve Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs), Methods of Procedure (MOPs), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and Emergency Operating Procedures (EOPs).

• Conduct audits, inspections, and training to maintain operational readiness and compliance with Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).

• Support compliance efforts with ISO 27001, PCI and SOC 2 Type I standards.

• Provide regular operational updates to the Site Operations Manager for transparency and site alignment.

Facility & Systems Oversight

• Oversee the operation, maintenance, and performance of electrical, mechanical, HVAC, and fire life safety systems.

• Approve and prioritize preventative and corrective maintenance activities in the CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System).

• Ensure documentation, reporting, and system logs are accurate and complete.

• Analyze performance trends, identify risks, and drive preventive solutions to maintain uptime.

Incident Management & Escalations

• Serve as the primary escalation point for abnormal conditions, incidents, or system failures at the site.

• Escalate unresolved or high-impact issues directly to the Site Operations Manager for awareness and decision-making.

• Lead root cause analysis, corrective action plans, and post-incident reporting.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance resilience, reliability, and operational maturity.

Customer, Vendor & Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as additional site-level point of contact for customers, vendors, and contractors on technical and operational matters supporting the SOM.

• Coordinate vendor and contractor activities, ensuring safety, compliance, and adherence to scope.

• Support customer requirements, installations, and escalations with professionalism and urgency.

• Partner with the Site Operations Manager and internal teams (IT, Operations, Projects) to align facility operations with business needs.

Planning & Reporting

• Develop and manage maintenance schedules, work orders, and capacity plans to ensure long-term readiness.

• Review and approve daily shift reports, turnover notes, and incident documentation.

• Track spare parts, and inventory to optimize resources and reduce downtime risk.

• Provide regular reports and operational updates to the Site Operations Manager and senior management.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate degree, technical degree, equivalent military training required or equivalent experience

• 5-7 years of experience in data center, critical facilities, or mission-critical environments.

• 2-3 years in a supervisory or lead role.

• Strong technical expertise in electrical, mechanical, HVAC, and fire life safety systems.

• Experience with CMMS, BMS, and other monitoring tools.

• Proven ability to lead teams under pressure, manage escalations, and deliver results in high-availability environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Industry specific certification(s)

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering (Mechanical/Electrical)

Skills

• Leadership and people management skills with a focus on team development.

• Strong problem-solving, root cause analysis, and decision-making capabilities.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, CMMS, and reporting tools.

• Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends, holidays, and on-call rotations as required.