Data Center Mechanical Subject Matter Expert

Salute Inc.; Afton (TX); On-site; USD 155,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

8 company-paid holidays

2 floating holidays

PTO

Medical, Dental, Vision

401(k) with 100% vesting, 3% match + 2

HSA

gym discounts

Legal services

Home & auto insurance

Pet insurance

ID theft protection

Job summary

Salute Inc. is seeking a Data Center Mechanical SME in Afton, TX. This on-site role focuses on safe, reliable operation of cooling, water distribution, fire suppression, and related systems in mission‑critical data centers.

Reporting to the Data Center Manager, you will guide operations, maintenance, and engineering teams while driving improvements and compliance. The role offers relocation assistance, a competitive salary range of $155,000–$170,000 with a 10% annual bonus and comprehensive

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 7–10 years of mechanical systems operations, maintenance, or design.
• Strong knowledge of chillers, evaporative cooling, DX systems, water treatment, and fire suppression.

Responsibilities

• Serve as onsite technical resource for mechanical infrastructure systems and equipment.
• Ensure collaboration between local facility team and regional/global teams.
• Develop and maintain mechanical procedures, including EOPs, SOPs, MOPs, and drills.
• Plan, author, and approve work procedures for mechanical troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance.
• Oversee mechanical system configurations, upgrades, and replacements to maintain integrity.
• Provide QA/QC oversight of mechanical construction and maintenance activities.
• Lead root‑cause analysis and manage vendor relationships for mechanical work.
• Ensure compliance with safety, regulatory, and client requirements.
• Participate in audits, risk assessments, and corrective actions.

Skills

Mechanical systems

Data center operations

Chillers & cooling

BAS & controls

Root cause analysis

Vendor management

Documentation & SOPs

Safety compliance

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering

HVAC license

Tools

CAD software

MS Office

Maintenance PM software

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Data Center Mechanical Subject Matter Expert

Operations Management Full Time Dedicated Afton, TX, US

Salary Range: $155,000.00 To $170,000.00 Annually

Salute is a leading provider of cutting-edge Data Center Infrastructure Services, dedicated to serving data center clients worldwide. We pride ourselves on delivering sustainable solutions, unparalleled reliability, and outstanding customer service. As we continue to grow, we are seeking a dynamic and experienced Mechanical Subject Matter Expertto join our team and drive our relationships with hyperscale clients to new heights.

Salute Benefits That Put You First

We know life doesn’t stop when work begins, that’s why we offer perks designed to support your well-being, your family, and your future:

• Time to Recharge: Enjoy 8 company-paid holidays, 2 floating holidays, andPTO so you can rest, celebrate, and take care of what matters most.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package: Including Medical, Dental, and Vision that you can enroll in starting on Day 1. Coverage begins the first of the month following 30-days of employment.
• Peace of Mind: The Employee Assistance Programis available to all employees, even if you do not participate in the benefits package.
• Your financial future matters: Enjoy our employer-supported 401(K) with immediate 100% vesting, plus a 3% employer match and a 50% match on the next 2%.
• Wellness Support: Access to HSA, mental health resources,and gym discounts—because your health matters.
• Extra Protection & Perks: Through discounted group programs, such as legal services, home & auto insurance, pet insurance, and ID theft protection for life’s unexpected moments

Position Summary

The Mechanical Subject Matter Expert (SME) serves as the primary technical authority for all mechanical infrastructure and building systems within a mission-critical data center environment. Reporting to the Data Center Manager, this role ensures safe, reliable, and efficient operation of cooling, water distribution, fire suppression, and mechanical support systems across all facilities. The SME provides expert-level support to operations, maintenance, and engineering teams while driving continuous improvement, compliance, and customer satisfaction through technical leadership and program excellence.

This is an on-site position located in Afton, TX, with relocation assistance available.

Salary: $155,000 - $170,000 +10% Annual Bonus

Normal Business Hours

Responsibilities

Technical Expertise & Program Leadership

• Serve as the onsite technical resource for all mechanical infrastructure systems and equipment, with an emphasis on practical field operation.
• Ensure cross-functional collaboration between the local facility team and applicable regional or global teams.
• Contribute to and maintain the site’s mechanical safety program.
• Develop and maintain all mechanical-related procedures, including EOPs, SOPs, MOPs, and drills, ensuring documentation aligns with client and Salute standards.
• Plan, author, and approve work procedures covering mechanical troubleshooting, repair, retrofit, and maintenance activities, with emphasis on personnel and operational risk mitigation.
• Conduct or oversee hands‑on troubleshooting, repair, retrofit, and maintenance of mechanical equipment and systems.
• Oversee mechanical system configurations, upgrades, and component replacements to maintain system integrity and ensure compliance with best practices and change‑control processes.
• Provide QA/QC oversight of construction and maintenance activities related to mechanical systems.
• Lead and/or participate in root‑cause analysis activities related to mechanical system performance or incidents.
• Manage vendor relationships for mechanical maintenance and retrofit work.
• Provide feedback on global mechanical maintenance strategies and system design improvements.
• Ensure all mechanical operations, retrofits, and maintenance activities comply with safety, regulatory, and client requirements.
• Participate in audits, risk assessments, and compliance reviews, identifying deficiencies and implementing corrective actions.
• Support incident investigations, develop after‑action documentation, and track improvement initiatives.
• Review and approve mechanical designs, specifications, and shop drawings to verify adherence to standards and operational readiness.
• Evaluate new mechanical technologies, materials, and systems for efficiency and sustainability improvements.
• Track and document equipment trends, performance data, and service reports to identify opportunities for reliability and process improvements.
• Partner with project management teams to ensure new installations meet lifecycle and maintainability standards.

Training, Collaboration, & Stakeholder Support

• Provide training to Critical Facility Engineers (CFEs) and cross-functional teams on mechanical systems, equipment, procedures, and updates.
• Develop and deliver technical training materials covering mechanical, fire/life safety, and industrial water systems.
• Mentor on‑site staff to strengthen mechanical competency and operational safety awareness.
• Collaborate with client representatives and internal teams to align procedures, training programs, and reporting processes.
• Participate in customer governance and performance meetings to ensure mechanical operations align with client expectations.
• Support broader data center operational readiness initiatives, contributing to continuous skill and knowledge development across the organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related technical field required; equivalent experience or trade certification may be considered.
• 7–10 years of experience in mechanical system operations, maintenance, or design, preferably within a mission‑critical or industrial environment.
• Strong theoretical and practical understanding of chillers, evaporative cooling, DX systems, water treatment, and fire suppression systems.
• Proficiency in interpreting blueprints, CAD drawings, trend charts, and mechanical plans/specifications.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, review, and implement MOPs, SOPs, and EOPs for mechanical systems.
• Familiarity with building automation systems (BAS), control theory, and equipment sequencing.
• Knowledge of ASHRAE standards, mechanical codes, and preventive maintenance programs.
• Experience with QA/QC of construction projects and retrofit activities
• Strong collaboration skills for working in cross‑functional, client‑facing environments.
• Trade certification, HVAC license, or professional engineering credential is preferred.
• Experience in data center operations is strongly desired.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and maintenance management software.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds, climb ladders, and move safely within mechanical and operational spaces during inspections or maintenance activities.

If you are a motivated and results-driven individualwith a passion for data center services and a knack for building strong clientrelationships, we want to hear from you. Join us in revolutionizing the datacenter industry.

Salute is an equal opportunity employer committed to celebrating diversity, creating an inclusive environment for all employees, and providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants; if you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, perform essential job functions, or receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact our Human Resources department at [e-mail] for more information.

Compensation & Benefits Disclosure
The base salary range for this role is $155,000–$170,000 per year. This range reflects a good‑faith estimate of what we reasonably expect to pay upon hire, based on factors such as skills, experience, education, and market/location. Our comprehensive benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, Health Savings Account (HSA), gym discount, mental health, Discounted Group Life & AD&D, Discounted Group Short & Long-term Disability, 401(k) retirement matching, PTO/paid holidays, and parental leave. Final compensation will be determined by job‑related factors consistent with applicable law.