Mechanical Lead: Central Utility Plant & Data Center Ops

IREN; Childress (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) match

Paid time off

Job summary

IREN is seeking a Mechanical Lead in Childress, TX to lead CUP operations and critical cooling infrastructure in a 24/7 data center setting. You will monitor plant performance, coordinate with engineers and vendors, and drive reliability and energy efficiency across liquid and air-cooled systems.

The role requires a 3rd Class Power Engineering License, 5+ years of utility systems experience, and strong BMS/SCADA/PLC skills. On-site, with on-call rotation and a comprehensive rewards package.

Qualifications

• Valid 3rd Class Power Engineering License (or ability to obtain/maintain per site/authority requirements)
• 5+ years operating and maintaining industrial or mission-critical utility systems
• Strong CUP fundamentals: chillers, condenser water, hydronic loops, pumps, heat exchangers, VFDs, refrigeration
• HPC liquid cooling experience: CDUs, manifolds, filtration, leak detection, pressure/flow control
• BMS/SCADA/PLC proficiency; interpret alarms and adjust setpoints safely
• Read one-lines, MEP drawings, and P&IDs; documentation and turnover communication
• Troubleshooting rotating equipment, hydronic systems, and mechanical refrigeration
• Physical ability; lift 50 lbs, climb ladders, on-call

Responsibilities

• Optimize, monitor, and oversee the Central Utility Plant (CUP) and site cooling systems in a 24/7 mission-critical environment.
• Perform site rounds; record readings and equipment status for chillers, pumps, and hydronic distribution.
• Analyze performance data and develop optimization strategies for chilled water and liquid cooling.
• Recommend capital improvements based on reliability and energy performance.
• Support liquid-cooled HPC infrastructure and coordinate with IT load.
• Support air-cooled data halls, humidity control, and temperature compliance.
• Respond to alarms, troubleshoot root causes, and prevent downtime.
• Collaborate across teams on capacity planning and upgrades.
• Adjust operating strategies to meet HPC load while maintaining reliability and efficiency.
• Execute and improve PM programs; coordinate contractors and ensure safe return to service.
• Operate water treatment programs for condenser water and glycol loops; coordinate sampling.
• Use BMS/SCADA/PLC to monitor and adjust setpoints.
• Maintain logs, work orders, incident reports; participate in RCA and continuous improvement.
• Follow safety requirements including LOTO and chemical handling.
• Support on-shift operations and communication.
• Maintain shift logs and turnover notes.
• Follow SOP/MOP/EOP for alarms and recovery.
• Own safety requirements and stop-work when unsafe.
• Support regulatory compliance and inspections.
• Contribute to procedure improvements.
• Coordinate with vendors for planned maintenance.
• Support RCAs and reliability improvements.
• Maintain training and onboarding support.

Skills

Chillers

Condenser water

Hydronic loops

Pumps

VFDs

Mechanical refrigeration

BMS/SCADA/PLC

Alarms interpretation

MEP drawings

P&IDs

Documentation

Shift turnover

Rotating equipment

Physical ability

Tools

CDUs

Manifolds

Filtration

Leak detection

Pressure control

Flow control

CMMS

Job description

IREN is seeking a Mechanical Lead in Childress, TX to lead CUP operations and critical cooling infrastructure in a 24/7 data center setting. You will monitor plant performance, coordinate with engineers and vendors, and drive reliability and energy efficiency across liquid and air-cooled systems.

The role requires a 3rd Class Power Engineering License, 5+ years of utility systems experience, and strong BMS/SCADA/PLC skills. On-site, with on-call rotation and a comprehensive rewards package.