Principal Operations Engineer, Mechanical

PTR Global; New Castle (DE); Remote; USD 225,000 - 270,000; Full time

Job summary

PTR Global is seeking a Principal Operations Engineer, Mechanical to serve as the senior technical authority for operational mechanical and cooling infrastructure across a hyperscale AI data-center fleet. The role is field-based with significant travel and focuses on improving operations across data-center sites.

Responsibilities include leading site assessments, audits, and technical-readiness, reviewing designs from an operational perspective, and overseeing handoffs from commissioning to

Qualifications

• Experience operating critical mechanical systems in AI compute environments.
• Strong knowledge of chillers, cooling towers, CRAH/CRAC units, pumps, CDU, and direct liquid cooling.
• Proven experience authoring high‑risk mechanical MOPs.
• Experience leading root‑cause analysis for cooling events.
• Ability to assess operational readiness, audit site posture, and raise technical standards.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the senior technical authority for operational mechanical and cooling infrastructure.
• Lead site assessments, operational audits, and technical‑readiness efforts before site activation.
• Review designs and specifications from an operational perspective and provide feedback for improvement.
• Oversee mechanical operational readiness and commissioning-to-operations handoffs for new sites.
• Author and approve high‑risk mechanical MOPs, EOPs, and AOPs.
• Lead root‑cause analysis for significant cooling events through closure.

Skills

Operational leadership

Thermal precision

Chilled water systems

Cooling towers

Root-cause analysis

Site assessments

Technical-readiness

Team mentoring

Job description

Position: Principal Operations Engineer, Mechanical

Location: Delaware- REMOTE

Duration: Direct Hire

Salary: $225,000 to $270,000

Job ID: 179977

Job Overview:
The Principal Operations Engineer, Mechanical will serve as the most senior technical authority for operational mechanical and cooling infrastructure across a hyperscale AI data-center fleet. This role involves leading site assessments, operational audits, and technical-readiness efforts, as well as reviewing designs and specifications from an operational perspective. The position requires expertise in chilled water systems, cooling towers, liquid‑cooling architectures, and other critical mechanical systems. The role is field‑based with significant travel and focuses on improving operations across data‑center sites.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as the senior technical authority for operational mechanical and cooling infrastructure.
• Lead site assessments, operational audits, and technical‑readiness efforts before site activation.
• Review designs and specifications from an operational perspective and provide feedback for improvement.
• Oversee mechanical operational readiness and commissioning-to-operations handoffs for new sites.
• Author and approve high‑risk mechanical MOPs, EOPs, and AOPs.
• Lead root‑cause analysis for significant cooling events through closure.

Qualifications:

• Extensive experience operating critical mechanical systems with a strong understanding of thermal precision for AI workloads.
• Strong command of chilled water systems, chillers, cooling towers, CRAH/CRAC units, pumps, CDUs, and direct liquid cooling in live environments.
• Proven experience authoring and executing high‑risk mechanical MOPs.
• Experience leading root‑cause analysis for significant cooling events.
• Ability to assess operational readiness, audit site posture, and raise technical standards.
• Strong ability to teach and build the mechanical readiness of teams before activation.
• Preferred experience with hyperscale or large colocation environments operating at hundreds of megawatts.
• Preferred experience with direct liquid cooling, CDU operations, ASHRAE TC 9.9, chilled‑water plant optimization, and Uptime Institute standards.

About PTR Global: PTR Global is a leading provider of information technology and workforce solutions. PTR Global has become one of the largest providers in its industry, with over 5000 professionals providing services across the U.S. and Canada. For more information visit

Pay Range: $225,000 to $270,000

The specific compensation for this position will be determined by several factors, including the scope, complexity, and location of the role, as well as the cost of labor in the market; the skills, education, training, credentials, and experience of the candidate; and other conditions of employment. Our full-time consultants have access to benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and 401K contributions, as well as PTO, sick leave, and other benefits mandated by applicable state or localities where you reside or work.

During the hiring process, we may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in evaluating information related to your application. These tools may help analyze job‑related qualifications or assist recruiters in reviewing applications and interview responses. AI‑generated information is one factor considered in our hiring process. Final employment decisions are made by qualified hiring personnel and are not based solely on AI‑generated recommendations.