Senior Critical Facility Technician-Mechanical

Lead HVAC Technician

The Lead HVAC Technician is responsible for advanced operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of HVAC and mechanical systems supporting a mission-critical data center environment. This role provides technical leadership, supports system reliability and efficiency, and helps maintain continuous operation of critical cooling infrastructure.

The Senior HVAC Technician works closely with Controls, Chiller, Electrical, and site operations teams and serves as a subject-matter expert for HVAC-related activities, including troubleshooting, planned maintenance, system optimization, and incident response.

Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform advanced preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance on HVAC systems, including CRAH/CRAC units, AHUs, fan systems, pumps, chillers at a support level, VFDs, humidification systems, and associated mechanical equipment.
• Lead troubleshooting for complex HVAC, airflow, humidity, and thermal issues impacting data halls and support spaces.
• Monitor system performance, BAS/BMS alarms, trends, and environmental conditions to ensure thermal stability and system efficiency.
• Support seasonal changeovers, load transitions, operational adjustments, and system optimization initiatives.
• Execute all work in accordance with approved SOPs, MOPs, EOPs, safety requirements, and change-control processes.
• Serve as a technical escalation point for HVAC issues and provide guidance to junior technicians.
• Coordinate closely with Controls and Chiller teams to verify sequences of operation, setpoints, alarms, and system integration.
• Inspect mechanical systems, identify deficiencies, and recommend corrective actions, repairs, or capital improvements.
• Escort and oversee third-party contractors, OEMs, and vendors, ensuring compliance with site safety and operational requirements.
• Accurately document all work performed, deficiencies identified, corrective actions, and recommendations in the CMMS.
• Participate in incident response, root cause analysis, post-incident review, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Maintain compliance with all safety, environmental, regulatory, and company policies.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 7+ years of HVAC experience, preferably in mission-critical, data center, industrial, or large commercial environments.
• Strong working knowledge of commercial HVAC systems, chilled water systems, airflow management, humidity control, VFDs, pumps, and BAS/BMS interfaces.
• Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, P&IDs, wiring diagrams, sequences of operation, and technical documentation.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot electrical, mechanical, and control-related HVAC issues.
• Experience working under SOPs, MOPs, EOPs, change control, and zero-impact work practices preferred.
• Strong leadership, communication, documentation, and shift handoff skills.
• High school diploma or equivalent required; technical or trade school preferred.

Preferred Certifications / Training

• EPA Universal Refrigerant Certification preferred
• OEM HVAC or CRAC/CRAH training preferred
• OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 preferred
• Data center or mission-critical operations training preferred
• BAS/BMS or controls training a plus

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to stand, walk, climb ladders, kneel, bend, and work in mechanical spaces for extended periods.
• Ability to work at heights and in varying environmental conditions.

Work Environment

• Mission-critical data center setting requiring strict adherence to procedures, safety, documentation, and attention to detail.
• Day shift, Monday-Friday; limited after-hours or emergency support may be required.