Chief Engineer

Trillium Professional is now seeking a Chief Engineer of Critical Facilities at a Data Center in Phoenix, AZ!


Pay range is $58-$70/hour + on-call stipend. This is full-time, direct-hire opportunity!


The Chief Engineer - Critical Facilities serves as the highest technical authority on site for a hyperscale and AI data center environment in Phoenix, AZ.


This role is responsible for the reliability, safety, performance, and operational integrity of all critical mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and controls systems across the facility. The Chief Engineer supports both construction/commissioning activities and ongoing operations, ensuring a seamless transition from build phase to full operational stability.


This position requires strong technical leadership, hands-on MEP expertise, and the ability to lead incident response and operational decision-making in a 24/7 critical environment.


Key Responsibilities
Site Technical Leadership
-Serve as the primary technical authority for all mechanical, electrical, and controls systems
-Provide escalation support and real-time technical direction during abnormal conditions and incidents
-Ensure engineering standards, documentation, and operational discipline are maintained across the site
-Critical Infrastructure Operations


Oversee operation and performance of:
-UPS systems, batteries, PDUs/RPPs, switchgear
-Generators, ATS/STS, and fuel systems
-Chillers, CRAH/CRAC units, cooling towers, pumps, valves
-BMS, EPMS, SCADA, and PLC-based systems
-Fire and life safety systems
-Ensure proper system operation during load transitions, maintenance, and fault conditions


Incident Response & Reliability Engineering
-Act as incident commander for infrastructure events until leadership escalation occurs
-Lead troubleshooting, stabilization, and recovery efforts during system outages or abnormalities
-Perform root cause analysis (RCA) and drive corrective actions
Identify operational risks and implement reliability improvements


Construction & Commissioning Support
-Support commissioning and startup activities for new and existing infrastructure
-Validate system readiness and ensure successful turnover from construction to operations
-Oversee vendor and contractor execution of critical work in live environments
-Provide technical review of commissioning documentation and procedures


Procedures & Documentation
-Own and review all Methods of Procedure (MOP), Standard -Operating Procedures (SOP), and Emergency Operating Procedures (EOP)
-Ensure procedural compliance and risk mitigation in all maintenance and operational activities


Maintain accurate documentation including:
-One-line diagrams
-Mechanical and electrical schematics
-Equipment histories
-Maintenance logs


Team Leadership & Development
-Mentor and support Lead Engineers and Facility Engineering staff
-Provide technical coaching and training on critical infrastructure systems
-Assist with onboarding, readiness assessments, and shift coverage planning
-Promote a safety-first and high-performance engineering culture


Safety & Compliance
-Ensure compliance with OSHA, NFPA, NEC, and internal safety standards
-Enforce LOTO procedures and high-risk work controls
-Support audits including ISO, SOC2, and regulatory inspections
-Promote continuous improvement in site safety practices


Apply now!


Required Qualifications
7-10+ years of experience in data centers, critical facilities, industrial electrical/mechanical operations, or MEP environments
Strong hands-on experience with UPS systems, generators, switchgear, and cooling infrastructure
Experience with BMS, EPMS, SCADA, or PLC-based control systems
Proven experience in incident response and operational escalation
Ability to read and interpret one-line diagrams, schematics, and technical drawings
Experience developing and executing MOP, SOP, and EOP procedures
Strong leadership and communication skills in high-pressure environments
Ability to work in a 24/7 mission-critical environment


Preferred Qualifications
Trade license or certification (Electrical, HVAC, Mechanical, or Stationary Engineer)
Hyperscale, colocation, or Tier III / Tier IV data center experience
OEM training (Schneider Electric, Cummins, Caterpillar, Trane, Liebert, etc.)
Experience supporting construction, commissioning, or facility expansion projects
Familiarity with AI/GPU cooling technologies (liquid cooling, direct-to-chip, rear-door cooling)

Trillium has been recruiting and placing professionals for over 30 years. From Fortune 100 companies to small businesses, our philosophy remains the same: to achieve excellence by providing quality employees and an uncompromising level of service. We believe in honesty, integrity, and a simple philosophy of providing value to our customers and our employees. We strive to be unsurpassed in the recruitment and placement of quality and skilled professionals. Trillium is an Equal Opportunity Employer.