Chief Engineer

Overview Trillium Professional is seeking a Chief Engineer of Critical Facilities at a Data Center in Phoenix, AZ. This is a full-time, direct-hire opportunity. Pay range is $58–$70/hour + on-call stipend.

Responsibilities Chief Engineer – Critical Facilities serves as the highest technical authority on site for a hyperscale and AI data center environment in Phoenix, AZ. Provide reliability, safety, performance, and operational integrity oversight for all critical mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and controls systems across the facility. Supports construction/commissioning activities and ongoing operations, ensuring a seamless transition from build to operational stability.

Lead incident response and operational decision-making in a 24/7 critical environment. Serve as primary technical authority for MEP systems, ensure standards, documentation, and operational discipline are maintained across the site. 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 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.

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) Equal Opportunity Trillium is an Equal Opportunity Employer. #J-18808-Ljbffr