Description

Data Center Mechanical Operations Manager
Location: Spartanburg, SC
Overview
We are seeking an experienced Data Center Mechanical Operations Manager to oversee all mechanical operations at a large-scale High-Performance Compute Center (HPCC) and its supporting critical infrastructure.

This role provides leadership and direction to a team of mechanical subject matter experts (SMEs) and contracted third-party operators, ensuring the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of all mission-critical mechanical systems. The manager will be responsible for regulatory compliance, operational performance, and continuous improvement across all mechanical assets, including chilled water systems, CRAH/CRAC units, cooling towers, pumps, and heat exchangers.

The ideal candidate will bring deep technical expertise, proven operational leadership, and the ability to collaborate effectively with electrical, controls, and IT teams in a high-availability, high-density environment.
Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of mechanical SMEs and contracted service providers.
• Oversee staffing plans, shift schedules, and escalation protocols to ensure 24/7/365 operational readiness.
• Promote ongoing training, cross-training, and professional development to maintain technical proficiency and reduce single points of failure.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and technical excellence.
• Direct daily operations of mechanical infrastructure, including chilled water plants, CRAHs/CRACs, cooling towers, pumps, heat exchangers, and leak detection systems.
• Ensure reliable and efficient operation of HVAC and cooling systems to maintain optimal environmental conditions for compute loads.
• Oversee preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs to maximize uptime and energy efficiency.
• Maintain and enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs), mechanical schematics, and operational documentation.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable standards and codes (OSHA, ASHRAE, NFPA, etc.).
• Implement and enforce lockout/tagout, confined space, and hazard communication safety programs.
• Conduct routine inspections, water treatment programs, and system performance audits.
• Lead root-cause analyses and implement corrective actions following equipment failures or environmental excursions.
• Coordinate mechanical system integration with electrical, controls, and IT operations to support continuous availability.
• Manage vendor and contractor relationships, ensuring SLA compliance and quality service delivery.
• Support capacity planning, system optimization, and phased expansion efforts for the data center.
• Define and track KPIs related to mechanical reliability, safety, maintenance compliance, and incident response.
• Deliver regular operational reports and performance updates to leadership.
• Lead annual reviews of team performance, staffing needs, and system reliability.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Electrical, Controls, Operations, and Security) to ensure holistic site reliability.
• Drive continuous improvement through process optimization, technology upgrades, and staff development.
• Participate in planning and execution of retrofits, upgrades, and expansion projects.
• Represent Mechanical Operations in safety drills, briefings, and technical reviews.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, HVAC Systems, or a related discipline (or equivalent experience).
• 10+ years of progressive leadership in mechanical operations, HVAC, power generation, or mission-critical facilities.
• Strong technical knowledge of chilled water systems, CRAHs/CRACs, cooling towers, pumps, and other supporting infrastructure for mission-critical environments.
• Proven ability to lead and develop technical teams, including SMEs and third-party operators.
• Demonstrated experience managing mechanical operations within data center or other 24/7 mission-critical environments.
• Strong familiarity with safety and compliance programs (OSHA, NFPA, ASHRAE).
• Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.