Mechanical Engineer - AI Data Center Operations

Intelletec Energy; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 190,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Intelletec Energy is seeking a Principal Operations Engineer - Mechanical Engineering to lead the design and operation of mission-critical cooling and mechanical systems across hyperscale AI facilities.

You will define operational frameworks, drive readiness for new sites, mentor teams, and partner with engineering and manufacturing to ensure scalable, reliable infrastructure at multi-gigawatt scale.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience with mission-critical mechanical systems.
• Expertise in cooling infrastructure for large facilities.
• Proven ability to develop and implement operating procedures.
• Experience assessing facility readiness and driving improvements.

Responsibilities

• Act as the technical leader for mechanical and thermal infrastructure across a portfolio of large-scale AI computing facilities.
• Evaluate site operational readiness, conduct technical reviews, and identify opportunities to improve performance prior to go-live.
• Partner with engineering, design, and manufacturing teams to ensure operational considerations are included in deployments.
• Provide deep SME across cooling systems, including liquid cooling technologies and chilled water infrastructure.
• Lead operational handoffs for new facilities and ensure mechanical systems are production-ready.
• Develop and approve critical maintenance and emergency operating procedures and lead incident investigations.

Skills

thermal infrastructure

mechanical systems

incident response

operational readiness

mentoring teams

Job description

Principal Operations Engineer - Mechanical Engineering

We're partnering with one of the fastest-growing AI infrastructure companies building next-generation compute platforms. This is an opportunity to join a team operating at the forefront of AI and help define what world-class data center operations look like at massive scale.

The role sits within a team responsible for operating and scaling some of the world's most advanced AI infrastructure environments.

Challenges You'll Help Solve

• Building and operating infrastructure at an unprecedented scale. The roadmap extends far beyond traditional data center footprints, requiring systems and processes designed for multi-gigawatt deployments.
• Maintaining operational excellence while sites are simultaneously being commissioned, expanded, and brought online. You'll help develop the operational framework that enables rapid growth without compromising reliability.
• Creating the operating model from the ground up. Rather than inheriting mature processes, you'll help define how mechanical operations are managed as the organization scales globally.

Responsibilities

• Act as the technical leader for mechanical and thermal infrastructure across a portfolio of large-scale AI computing facilities.
• Evaluate site operational readiness, conduct technical reviews, and identify opportunities to improve operational performance prior to go-live.
• Partner closely with engineering, design, and manufacturing teams to ensure operational considerations are incorporated into future infrastructure deployments.
• Provide deep subject matter expertise across mission-critical cooling systems, including liquid cooling technologies and chilled water infrastructure.
• Lead operational handoff activities for new facilities and ensure mechanical systems are prepared for production workloads.
• Develop and approve critical maintenance and emergency operating procedures while leading investigations into major mechanical or cooling-related incidents.

Ideal Background

We're interested in experienced infrastructure leaders who bring deep expertise in mission-critical mechanical systems and thrive in highly technical, fast-moving environments.

You may be a strong fit if you have:

• Extensive experience supporting thermal and cooling infrastructure for critical facilities.
• Expertise with chilled water plants, cooling towers, pumps, CRAH/CRAC systems, coolant distribution units (CDUs), and liquid cooling technologies.
• A track record of developing operational procedures and leading incident response efforts for complex mechanical systems.
• Experience assessing facility readiness and driving improvements across operations teams.
• The ability to mentor and prepare technical teams for new site launches and operational scaling initiatives.

Preferred experience includes:

• Hyperscale or large colocation data center environments.
• High-density compute or liquid-cooled infrastructure.
• Chilled water optimization and large mechanical plant operations.
• Familiarity with industry standards and best practices for mission-critical facilities.
• Highly competitive compensation package that includes base salary and long-term incentives.
• Equity participation opportunities.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Retirement benefits consistent with local market practices.
• Flexible paid time off and other employee benefits aligned with regional standards.