Chief, Critical Facilities

Prime Data Centers • McClellan Park, CA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Chief, Critical Facilities Engineer (CE) is an individual-contributor and leadership role responsible for electrical, mechanical, and fire/life safety equipment in a data center. Equipment includes standby diesel generators, switchgear, UPSs, PDUs, AHUs, chillers, cooling towers, chemical treatment systems, pumps, motors, VFDs, building automation systems, and related equipment. Duties include planned preventative maintenance, daily corrective work, emergency response, serving as an expert technical resource, and working with onsite operations teams and third-party vendors.

The CE works independently and collaborates with external support and engineering, automation, processing, and finance teams in local and global settings. The role involves creating and delivering key milestones, obtaining and tracking quotes for necessary costs, and documenting project results for potential implementation at other facilities.

Requirements

• Technical college degree or equivalent work experience in lieu of a degree.
• Four or more years of data center experience or equivalent experience.
• CPR/First Aid and NFPA 70E Certification during employment.
• Strong background in electrical and mechanical systems design review, layout, installation, commissioning, and operations.
• Expert knowledge of NFPA electrical, fire and life safety, and building codes; NEC; NFPA 70E, NFPA 72, and NFPA 25; and compliance issues.
• Expert knowledge of industrial safety best practices, including lockout/tagout, arc flash protection, OSHA, and state regulations.
• Experience with data trending, tracking, and analysis, and ability to rapidly learn and use PC-based integrated critical monitoring systems.
• Strong supervisory skills and excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Hands-on experience installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting large commercial and industrial mechanical and electrical systems, including 480V electrical distribution systems; chilled/condenser water pumps; CRACs/CRAHs/DSE; diesel generators; domestic water systems and backflow prevention devices; EPMS/BMS systems; fuel/oil systems, day tanks, and storage tanks; HVAC equipment; NFPA 25 sprinkler and dry standpipe systems, including emergency fire pumps where applicable; medium-voltage switchgear; PLC and relay logic controls; STS/ATS; UPS systems; VFD drives; VRLA/Li-Ion batteries and monitoring systems; water treatment systems; and well/vault or sump pumps.
• Proficiency with MS Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project.
• Ability to train electrical and mechanical teams on systems and procedures.
• Ability to conduct power and fire system capacity, safety, and code compliance assessments.
• Ability to operate in and promote a rigorous, process-driven team environment.
• Ability to logically analyze and solve problems, multitask across projects, and maintain attention to detail.
• Physical ability, with reasonable accommodations, to walk job sites over uneven terrain; work at heights and from ladders; regularly lift or move up to 49 pounds and participate in group lifts of 50 pounds or more; coordinate body movements when using tools or equipment; reach and stretch while maintaining balance; bend or twist into unusual positions; perform physical tasks throughout the day; manipulate small wires and objects; push or pull heavy objects; work in noisy environments; and work at depths such as under raised floors.

Nice To Haves

• Six or more years of related experience in data centers or a similar environment, such as critical facilities or the military.
• Two or more years of experience leading or managing teams.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations and maintenance of mechanical and electrical equipment in a data center.
• Work independently with limited direct management.
• Act as an escalation point for facilities-related issues within the data center and escalate to the Critical Facility Manager as needed.
• Perform root cause analysis of equipment failures.
• Troubleshoot and report facility and data server-level events within internal SLAs.
• Create and deploy standard practices for Critical Operations Technicians, Chief Engineers, and vendor support teams.
• Provide training and guidance to Critical Operations Technicians.
• Ensure vendor and PDC employees adhere to safety procedures.
• Communicate complex technical information to non-technical audiences.
• Perform planned preventative maintenance, daily corrective work, and emergency response for facility equipment.
• Coordinate with onsite operations teams, third-party vendors, and local and global engineering, automation, processing, and finance teams.
• Create and deliver key milestones, obtain and track quotes for necessary costs, and document project results for future implementation at other facilities.

Benefits

• Competitive salary range and performance bonus program.
• Dollar-for-dollar 401(k) match up to 4%, fully vested upon enrollment.
• Employer-paid employee premiums for medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability coverage.
• Over four weeks of paid time off plus sick time.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree