Facility Operations Lead

River AI•San Francisco, CA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

River AI is seeking an experienced Facility Operations Lead to own the reliability and safety of the data center infrastructure supporting its AI systems. The role is responsible for keeping compute infrastructure powered and cooled, leading the site team, maintaining the maintenance program, and overseeing the electrical and mechanical systems that keep the facility running. The lead works with infrastructure engineers, technicians, and service vendors to manage daily operations, respond to incidents, and ensure maintenance and upgrades are performed safely without disrupting live systems. This is an on-site role at an active data center in Palo Alto, California. The work includes time in electrical and mechanical rooms and on rooftops, working around high-voltage equipment and loud machinery, following site safety procedures, and using required personal protective equipment. The position requires availability to respond to emergencies at any hour, with extended hours or weekend work as needed, and travel to other company locations as needed.

Requirements

At least seven years of experience operating data centers or other critical facilities, including at least two years leading a team.
Working knowledge of uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems, generators, switchgear, chillers, and building management systems.
Experience writing and following formal operating procedures for live electrical and mechanical systems.
A strong safety record and practical knowledge of electrical safety requirements.
Experience managing maintenance vendors and operating budgets.
Clear communication, a collaborative approach, and accountability for site reliability and safety.
Availability to respond to site emergencies at any hour, with extended hours or weekend work as needed.
Ability to work on-site in an operating data center, including in electrical and mechanical rooms and on rooftops, around high-voltage equipment and loud machinery, while following safety procedures and using required personal protective equipment.
Ability to travel to other company locations as needed.

Nice To Haves

An electrical or mechanical trade background, or military technical training such as the Navy nuclear program.
Experience supporting colocation customers and coordinating work around their operational requirements.
A data center operations certification, such as one from Uptime Institute.

Responsibilities

Operate and maintain the site’s electrical, mechanical, fire protection, and security systems.
Lead, hire, and train site technicians; coordinate contractors; and manage shift coverage and the on-call rotation.
Own preventive and corrective maintenance, keeping schedules, work orders, and service records accurate in the maintenance management system.
Write and enforce operating procedures, review planned changes, and oversee work on live systems.
Lead incident response and root cause analysis, and drive corrective actions to prevent repeat failures.
Track capacity, energy efficiency, and uptime, and use those measures to guide operational improvements.
Enforce site safety standards, including Cal/OSHA requirements, lockout/tagout procedures, and arc flash precautions.
Manage site access, service vendors, and the facility’s operating budget.