Data Center Operator

About the Role

The Data Center Operator (DCO) is a facilities-focused role responsible for the operational integrity, commissioning, and regulatory compliance of electrical power, mechanical, monitoring and control systems, and processes that maximize customer uptime in highly available, concurrently maintainable, fault-tolerant mission-critical data center environments.

The DCO ensures all electrical, mechanical, and fire/life safety equipment within the data center operates at peak efficiency and reliability. This involves planned preventative maintenance, daily corrective work, and emergency response. The role serves as a hands-on technical resource for troubleshooting and interacts with Multi-Skilled Operators (MSO) and third-party vendors, acting as the focal point for all facility operations within the data center.

Data center equipment supporting mission-critical servers must maintain better than 99.999% uptime, including standby diesel generators, fuel systems, electrical switchgear, UPSs, PDUs, AHUs, thermal management systems, chemical treatment systems, pumps, motors, VFDs, and building automation systems.

Responsibilities

• Prioritize SAFETY in all tasks and activities.
• Operate, monitor, maintain, and respond to abnormal conditions of facility systems.
• Complete planned and ad-hoc preventive maintenance work assignments across electrical, mechanical, and engineering disciplines.
• Conduct periodic inspections of HVAC, electrical distribution, and mechanical equipment to ensure clean, functional, and safe conditions.
• Rapidly respond to, investigate, and manage indoor emergency situations and air quality complaints, including humidity issues.
• Create, close, and track work requests (WR) with full working knowledge of the process.
• Initiate or respond to work orders, follow up, and verify completion.
• Monitor performance of service contractors and recommend changes as needed.
• Provide technical expertise in electrical, mechanical, integrated control, and water chemistry for the data center.
• Interface with management, contractors, and consultants for phased data center construction commissioning, including integration and testing of new systems while maintaining critical systems online.
• Track and complete preventive and predictive maintenance schedules for critical systems.
• Analyze operating conditions, recommend new technologies, and improve efficiency and cost reduction.
• Manage data center white space and back-of-house electrical loading and capacity, including client installations.
• Work unusual hours approximately once every other week to meet critical maintenance windows.
• Directly manage contractors and consultants for daily operations and critical maintenance (e.g., UPS systems, generators, switchgear, chiller maintenance).
• Supervise Multi-Skilled Operators in day-to-day operations and maintenance of critical facility equipment.
• Serve as an on-call resource for emergency situations at the data center.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by management.
• Interact with internal departments, executives, clients, and vendors.

Requirements

• 4-year degree in an engineering discipline from an accredited university.
• Full use of sight, hearing, voice, and motor skills.
• Ability to lift up to 23kg (50lbs), bend, stoop, reach overhead, and stand for long periods.
• Minimum of 5 years of directly related experience in operation, installation, and maintenance of data center critical equipment, building systems, with in-depth technical knowledge of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire/life safety, and control systems.
• Knowledge of electrical and mechanical systems in a data center environment, including feeders, transformers, generators, switchgear, UPS systems, ATS/STS units, PDU/PMM units, chillers, air handling units, and CRAC units.
• Good observation skills and problem-solving ability.
• Military experience is an advantage.
• Successful completion of a background investigation as a condition of employment.

Skills

• Strong background in operating mechanical and electrical critical systems, including design review, layout, and installation.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical and mechanical one-line diagrams.
• Experience conducting power and thermal system capacity, safety, and code compliance assessments.
• Hands-on experience installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting large commercial and industrial electrical systems, including:
  • Medium-voltage switchgear.
  • 480/277 Volt and 208/120-volt electrical generation and distribution systems.
  • Diesel-powered AC generators.
  • Static UPS systems.
  • Dynamic Rotary UPS Systems (where applicable).
  • Multi-string flooded cell batteries and monitoring systems.
  • Static switches, PLC and relay logic controls.
  • Power monitoring systems.
  • Data center power distribution and management systems.
• Current knowledge of NFPA Electrical, Fire and Life Safety, and building codes, or local regulatory equivalents.
• Expertise in industrial safety best practices (e.g., lockout/tagout, arc flash protection, OSHA, and state regulations).
• Understanding of electrical and mechanical systems in critical data center operations, including feeders, transformers, generators, switchgear, UPS systems, ATS units, PDU units, chillers, pumps, air handling units, and CRAC units.
• Ability to work directly with customers, internal teams, installation engineers, technical consultants, and other personnel to coordinate customer turn-ups and ensure smooth transitions from installation to operation.

Benefits

• Time to Recharge: 8 company-paid holidays, 2 floating holidays, and PTO.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package: Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage starting on Day 1, with benefits beginning the first of the month following 30 days of employment.
• Peace of Mind: Employee Assistance Program available to all employees, regardless of benefits enrollment.
• Financial Future: Employer-supported 401(K) with immediate 100% vesting, a 3% employer match, and a 50% match on the next 2%.
• Wellness Support: Access to HSA, mental health resources, and gym discounts.
• Extra Protection & Perks: Discounted group programs for legal services, home & auto insurance, pet insurance, and ID theft protection.
• Onsite gym.