Technical SME - Water Chemistry

Job Title

It's fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they're doing! We're committed to bringing passion and customer focus to the business.

Duties And Responsibilities

Training and Development of Personnel:

• Develop training content and operational guidance for site teams on water chemistry fundamentals, system impacts, and vendor coordination.
• Partner with Operations leadership to ensure personnel understand system design intent and water quality risks.
• Provide ongoing education and mentorship to improve enterprise-wide understanding of water chemistry management.

Reliability and Efficiency Expert:

• Analyze water quality data and trends to identify risks to system reliability, efficiency, and equipment life.
• Provide technical interpretation of vendor-generated reports and ensure appropriate corrective actions are identified and executed.
• Define and monitor KPIs related to water quality, system performance, and vendor effectiveness.
• Drive improvements in water usage efficiency, chemical optimization, and overall system reliability.
• Provide technical guidance to support start-up, commissioning, submittals/RFI review, and general oversight to standardize and QA/QC new builds.

Global Support to Site Operations Teams:

• Establish and enforce Aligned's water chemistry program standards, and reporting requirements across all sites.
• Provide oversight and governance of third-party pater treatment vendors, including:
• Scope definition and standardization
• Performance management and accountability
• Quality and consistency of testing and reporting
• Ensure all sites operate within defined water chemistry parameters and escalate deviations as required.
• Develop standard reporting frameworks to ensure consistency across vendors and sites.
• Monitor local and national compliance through audits, performance reviews, and data validation.
• Support site teams during abnormal conditions, excursions, or incidents related to water quality or system degradation.
• Participate in root cause analysis efforts and provide subject matter expertise for incident investigations involving water chemistry.

Forward Vision:

• Maintain awareness of industry advancements in water treatment technologies, sustainability practices, and regulatory requirements.
• Evaluate and recommend new solutions to improve water conservation, treatment effectiveness, and operational efficiency.
• Lead technical validation and implementation of new water chemistry strategies and programs.

Communications:

• Communicate complex water chemistry concepts and risks to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Provide clear, concise reporting to leadership on water program health, risks, and performance.
• Support customer-facing discussions as needed, ensuring alignment with contractual and operational expectations.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or equivalent training/experience.

8+ years of experience in industrial water treatment, cooling tower chemistry, or related data center/mechanical systems environments.

Demonstrated experience in managing third-party vendors and service providers.

Strong understanding of cooling systems, hydronic systems, and water treatment processes in mission-critical environments.

Experience interpreting water analysis reports, system trends, and performance data.

Proven ability to develop and implement technical standards and programs at scale.

Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Strong customer service and stakeholder management acumen.

Ability to travel up to 30%.

Competencies

Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.

Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs workflows and procedures.

Business Acumen - Understands business implications of decisions; Displays orientation to profitability; Demonstrates knowledge of market and competition; Aligns work with strategic goals.

Change Management - Develops workable implementation plans; Communicates changes effectively; Builds commitment and overcomes resistance; Prepares and supports those affected by change; Monitors transition and evaluates results.

Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.

Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.

Design - Generates creative solutions; Translates concepts and information into images; Uses feedback to modify designs; Applies design principles; Demonstrates attention to detail.

Diversity - Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; Educates others on the value of diversity; Promotes a harassment-free environment; Builds a diverse workforce.

Ethics - Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.

Innovation - Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.

Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.

Judgement - Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.

Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.

Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; Supports organization's goals and values; Benefits organization through outside activities; Supports affirmative action and respects diversity.

Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.

Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.

Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.

Quality Management - Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.

Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.

Strategic Thinking - Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals; Understands organization's strengths & weaknesses; Analyzes market and competition; Identifies external threats and opportunities; Adapts strategy to changing conditions.

Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.

Physical Demands And Work Environment

Occasionally required to stand

Occasionally required to walk

Continually required to sit

Occasionally required to utilize hand and finger dexterity

Occasionally required to climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel or crawl

Occasionally work near moving mechanical parts

Occasional exposure to outside weather conditions

While performing the duties of this job, the noise level in the work environment is usually very quiet.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Aligned Data Centers is an equal opportunity employer that embraces diversity and is committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. Equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants