Lead Critical Engineering Technician

Stream Data Centers; Elk Grove Village (IL); On-site; USD 62,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental &amp

Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)

Life Insurance

Paid Time Off

Family Leave

Disability coverage

Training & Development

Wellness Resources

Job summary

Stream Data Centers in Elk Grove Village, IL seeks a Lead Critical Engineering Technician (LCET) to perform preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance on critical equipment on-site, Monday through Friday, 7am–3:30pm. You will maintain HVAC, electrical, and life-safety systems, write procedures, and mentor CETs under the Critical Facilities Manager.

The role requires 7+ years in data center ops, CMMS/BMS/DCIM/EPMS experience, and strong leadership in high‑risk environments.

Qualifications

• Requires 7+ years in critical facility operations or data center environments.
• High school diploma or GED required.
• Proficient in CMMS, BMS, DCIM, EPMS platforms; knowledge of safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Perform maintenance on HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems.
• Read and interpret blueprints and technical docs to troubleshoot equipment.
• Coordinate with third‑party contractors for safe operations and maintenance.
• Create, track, and close preventive and corrective maintenance work orders in CMMS.
• Lead maintenance activities with vendors and junior technicians; ensure safety and SOP adherence.
• Operate fire alarm panels and system components during maintenance tasks.
• Monitor BMS data, power, cooling, and PUE metrics for reliability and efficiency.
• Develop and follow MOPs; assist RCCA investigations and elevate issues to CFM.
• Maintain accurate maintenance records and provide 24/7 coverage as needed.

Skills

Critical facility ops

Troubleshooting

Root cause analysis

Documentation

Vendor coordination

Leadership

Safety compliance

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

CMMS

BMS

DCIM

EPMS

Job description

For years, Stream Data Centers has been a trusted partner in providing world-class data center solutions. With a focus on sustainable, secure, and reliable infrastructure, Stream empowers businesses to scale their digital operations while prioritizing environmental and social responsibility.

Stream Data Centerscontinues to set new standards for innovation, operational excellence, and sustainability in the data center industry, having provided premium data center services since 1999. Now, with 90% of its inventory leased to Fortune 100 customers, the company has acquired, developed and managed more than 27 data center projects nationally, while leadership has remained consistent for over two decades.

From site selection to data center construction and operations, Stream develops wholesale colocation capacity and build-to-suit facilities for hyperscale and enterprise users in major markets across the United States. Additionally, Stream sources and develops low-risk land sites for optimum data center development and provides energy procurement services with a focus on reducing market risk and providing low-cost renewable energy options.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Stream is looking for a Lead Critical Engineering Technician (LCET) to join our team in Elk Grove Village, IL. The LCET is on-site Monday through Friday, from 7am until 3:30pm. At the direction of the Critical Facilities Manager, the LCET maintains, monitors, and performs preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance on critical equipment, which may include the following: mechanical maintenance (including, but not limited to, HVAC, computer room air conditioners, chillers, and plumbing), electrical maintenance (including, but not limited to, UPS, DC battery systems, PDU, generators, transfer switches, and switchgear), cabling maintenance (including, but not limited to, data and voice, broad band), fire detection and suppression, life safety, lighting, temperature control systems, building management systems, and digital systems (including fire alarm, duress, card access, CCTV). Other responsibilities include, the operation and maintenance of non-critical equipment such as refrigeration, heat exchanger, HVAC, electrical, hot water systems. The LCET also, monitors operation, adjusts, and maintains refrigeration, chilled water, and air conditioning equipment; boilers, and ventilating and hot water heaters; pumps, valves, piping and filters; other mechanical and electrical equipment; record readings and adjust where necessary to ensure proper operation of equipment. The LCET will also be responsible for writing Method of Procedures, Emergency Operating Procedures, and execution of those procedures. The LCET will also assist the CFM with training and mentoring CETs.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform all work in accordance with Stream Data Centers' critical operating procedures, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and maintenance work instructions.
• Read and interpret blueprints, schematics, and technical documentation to troubleshoot and resolve equipment issues.
• Support the safe, compliant operation, maintenance, and modification of critical infrastructure, including coordination with third‑party contractors.
• Perform hands‑on maintenance and repair of HVAC, electrical, and other critical facility systems.
• Create, execute, document, and close preventive and corrective maintenance work orders in the CMMS, including coordinating materials and repair requirements with the Critical Facilities Manager.
• Lead critical maintenance activities involving vendors and junior technicians, ensuring adherence to safety standards, company policies, and operational procedures.
• Operate, enable, and disable fire alarm control panels and systems as required for maintenance activities.
• Monitor and analyze Building Management System (BMS) data, power and cooling performance, and PUE metrics to ensure system reliability and efficiency.
• Develop and follow Methods of Procedure (MOPs), assist with Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) investigations, and elevate equipment issues to the Critical Facilities Manager when necessary.
• Maintain accurate maintenance records, support emergency response activities, provide 24/7 coverage as needed, and ensure compliance with all departmental and HSE policies and procedures.

COMPETENCIES

• Safety & Risk Ownership: Champions site safety standards, procedures, and programs that reduce systemic and repeat risks. Drives risk resolution and incident response plans.
• Technical Capability: Provides technical input that drives site standards for troubleshooting and maintenance. Develop and execute RCA for site level incidents.
• Maintenance Quality & Reliability: Uses trend data and RCA outcomes to shape maintenance strategies across site. Drives 52‑week maintenance schedule.
• Documentation & Policy Adherence: Participates in development or standardization of all site policies and documentation.
• Ownership & Accountability: Accountable for outcomes across multiple teams on a site and aligns execution to business priorities.
• Problem Solving & Judgment (Smart): Anticipates systemic or long‑term risks and drives preventative or strategic solutions.
• Leadership & Impact (Nice/Honest): Sets behavioral and performance example across a site; reinforces VMV consistently. Owns designated communication pathways across cross‑functional workgroups and/or customer interactions.
• Engagement & Continuous Improvement (Passionate): Champions continuous improvement on site and drives enterprise‑level directives. Oversees sourcing, vetting and onboarding vendors. Tracks all vendor work per contract or PO. Develops and maintains onsite repair parts and consumables.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 7+ years of experience in critical facility operations, maintenance, engineering, or data center environments.
• High school diploma or GED required.
• Strong knowledge of critical facility operations, including UPS, HVAC, power distribution, cooling systems, and supporting infrastructure.
• Understanding of critical environment design concepts, including redundancy models (N, N+1, 2N), Tier classifications, failover strategies, and escalation procedures.
• Experience with CMMS, BMS, DCIM, and EPMS platforms.
• Knowledge of OSHA, NEC, life safety, security, and other safety standards applicable to mission‑critical environments.
• Ability to troubleshoot, perform root cause analysis (RCA/RCCA), and effectively communicate operational and equipment issues.
• Proficient in reading and interpreting blueprints, schematics, and technical documentation.
• Experience coordinating and overseeing vendor, contractor, and engineering activities in a critical operations environment.
• Strong organizational and technical writing skills, including the ability to develop SOPs, MOPs, and EOPs.
• Hands‑on maintenance and repair experience with HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems.
• Basic understanding of networking and building systems protocols, including Ethernet, TCP/IP, HTTPS, Modbus, and BACnet.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Visio) and Adobe applications.
• Ability to work safely in confined spaces, elevated locations, and other physically demanding environments.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to work a 24/7 schedule, including 12‑hour shifts and emergency coverage as needed.
• Ability to safely work at heights, from ladders, and in confined spaces while following all safety requirements.
• Capable of performing physical duties including lifting up to 50 pounds, moving equipment, operating critical infrastructure, and handling small components and wiring.
• Comfortable working in industrial and data center environments that may require hearing protection, eye protection, and other PPE.
• Ability to make sound decisions and respond effectively in high‑pressure, mission‑critical situations.
• Capable of conducting extended site rounds involving prolonged walking, standing, and extended periods away from a desk.

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Training & Development
• Wellness Resources

The pay range for this role is between $45 - $50 (hourly). Individual compensation packages are based on various factors unique to each candidate, including skill set, experience, qualifications, location, and other job-related reasons. Stream Data Centers offers annual bonus, benefits, flexible time off (vacation), 401k and a variety of other perks and benefits.

Stream is an equal‑opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, race, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, military status, or any other reason prohibited by law. Note: Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.