Critical Facilities Engineer (Datacenter)

Nesco Data Center and Infrastructure is seeking a Mission Critical Data Center Engineer in the Greater Ashburn VA area.
 

Mission Critical Data Center Engineer – Night Shift
 

We are seeking an experienced Mission Critical Data Center Engineer to support the safe, reliable, and continuous operation of a mission-critical data center environment on the night shift. This position is responsible for monitoring, operating, troubleshooting, and maintaining critical facility infrastructure and mechanical/electrical systems that support 24x7 data center operations.

The ideal candidate has hands-on experience working in a mission-critical environment and understands the importance of preventative maintenance, operational procedures, emergency response, documentation, and strict adherence to safety and change-control processes.

The successful candidate will have a strong facilities background and experience with the infrastructure systems that provide power, cooling, environmental control, fire/life safety, and building management for a high-availability data center.

Pay range is $42-56/hr + 10% ND

Mission Critical Facilities Operations

• Monitor and operate critical data center infrastructure and building systems during the overnight shift.

• Perform routine inspections of electrical, mechanical, HVAC, and life-safety systems.

• Monitor facility conditions, alarms, temperatures, humidity, power utilization, and equipment status.

• Respond promptly to alarms, abnormal operating conditions, equipment failures, and facility emergencies.

• Perform equipment rounds and document operating conditions, readings, deficiencies, and corrective actions.

• Maintain situational awareness of facility load, capacity, redundancy, and equipment operating status.

• Follow established operating procedures, emergency operating procedures, and standard operating procedures.

• Participate in 24x7 on-call and/or emergency response activities as required.

Electrical Systems

Experience operating and/or maintaining critical electrical infrastructure such as:

• Utility service and electrical distribution systems

• Switchgear and switchboards

• Automatic Transfer Switches (ATS)

• UPS systems and battery systems

• Power Distribution Units (PDUs)

• Remote Power Panels (RPPs)

• Transformers

• Generators and emergency power systems

• Automatic transfer and emergency power systems

• Electrical panels and distribution equipment

• 3-phase electrical systems

• Power monitoring and metering systems

The engineer should understand electrical distribution, redundancy concepts, load balancing, power flow, and the risks associated with working around energized equipment.

Mechanical / Cooling Systems

Experience with mission-critical cooling infrastructure, including:

• Chillers and chilled-water systems

• Cooling towers and condenser-water systems

• CRAH/CRAC units

• Pumps and pumping systems

• Computer Room Air Handling systems

• Air-handling and ventilation systems

• Humidification/dehumidification systems

• Heat exchangers

• Cooling Distribution Units (CDUs)

• Direct-to-chip and/or liquid cooling systems is a plus

• Building HVAC systems

• Temperature and humidity control systems

Building Management & Monitoring Systems

• Monitor and respond to alarms through Client/EPMS/DCIM platforms.

• Review trends and operating data to identify abnormal conditions before they become failures.

• Understand critical alarm priorities and escalation procedures.

• Document alarm events, equipment status, and corrective actions.

• Work with remote monitoring and control systems to verify equipment operation.

• Experience with systems such as Client, EPMS, DCIM, or similar monitoring platforms is strongly preferred.

Preventative & Corrective Maintenance

• Perform or coordinate preventative maintenance on critical infrastructure.

• Assist vendors and contractors during scheduled maintenance activities.

• Troubleshoot equipment and determine appropriate corrective actions.

• Verify completed maintenance activities and return equipment to normal operating configuration.

• Maintain accurate maintenance records and equipment documentation.

• Identify recurring equipment issues and recommend improvements.

• Support reliability and continuous-improvement initiatives.

Emergency Response

• Respond immediately to critical alarms and facility emergencies.

• Execute emergency operating procedures and established escalation protocols.

• Troubleshoot power, cooling, environmental, and mechanical failures.

• Communicate effectively with management, security, vendors, customers, and other technical personnel during incidents.

• Participate in incident investigations and root-cause analysis.

• Maintain composure and sound judgment during high-pressure situations.

Change Management & Documentation

• Follow formal change-management procedures for all critical facility work.

• Review Method of Procedures (MOPs), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and Emergency Operating Procedures (EOPs).

• Participate in MOP/EOP reviews and execution.

• Maintain shift logs, equipment logs, work orders, incident reports, and operational documentation.

• Provide detailed shift turnover to incoming engineering personnel.

• Ensure all work is performed in accordance with site procedures and established safety requirements.

Required Qualifications

• 3–7+ years of experience in data center facilities, mission-critical facilities, critical infrastructure, industrial facilities, semiconductor facilities, hospitals, power plants, or a similarly complex operating environment.

• High school diploma or equivalent required.

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Facilities Management, Engineering Technology, HVAC, or a related technical discipline preferred.

• Equivalent military, technical-school, apprenticeship, or hands-on mission-critical experience may be considered in lieu of a formal degree.

• Demonstrated experience operating and troubleshooting critical electrical and/or mechanical systems.

• Ability to read and understand electrical one-line diagrams, mechanical drawings, equipment manuals, and technical documentation.

• Strong understanding of electrical and mechanical safety practices.

• Experience working in a 24x7 mission-critical environment preferred.

• Ability to work independently during an overnight shift while maintaining strong communication with day-shift personnel and management.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Strong attention to detail and documentation skills.

• Ability to prioritize multiple alarms, work orders, and operational issues based on criticality.

Preferred Qualifications & Certifications

Preferred candidates may possess one or more of the following:

• Data Center Certified Associate (DCCA) or equivalent data center certification

• Certified Data Center Professional (CDCP)

• Certified Data Centre Specialist (CDCS)

• BICSI credentials

• OSHA 10 or OSHA 30

• EPA 608 certification

• Electrical or HVAC certifications

• NFPA training

• Generator or UPS manufacturer training

• Client/Client/EPMS/DCIM training

• Electrical safety / NFPA 70E training

• Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) training

• CPR/AED/First Aid certification

• Facilities or stationary engineering certification

• Journeyman electrical, HVAC, or mechanical license is a plus

Safety & Compliance

• Strictly follow OSHA, NFPA, site-specific safety requirements, and company policies.

• Follow Lockout/Tagout and electrical safe-work practices.

• Utilize appropriate PPE when performing inspections, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

• Maintain a safety-first mindset when working around energized electrical equipment, rotating machinery, high-voltage systems, pressurized systems, refrigerants, and other hazards.

• Report unsafe conditions immediately.

• Participate in safety meetings, training, audits, and emergency drills.

Night Shift Requirements

• Night shift availability is required.

• Ability to remain alert, attentive, and responsive throughout an overnight shift.

• Comfortable working independently with limited onsite management supervision.

• Ability to respond to critical alarms and emergencies at any time during the shift.

• Willingness to work weekends, holidays, overtime, and emergency call-ins when required by site operations.

• Reliable attendance and punctuality are critical to maintaining continuous data center coverage.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a hands-on mission-critical facilities professional, not simply a general building engineer. They understand that uptime, redundancy, safety, documentation, and procedural discipline are paramount in a data center environment.

The strongest candidates will have experience operating a data center or similarly critical facility, understand UPS, generators, switchgear, PDUs, chillers, CRAH/CRAC systems, Client/EPMS/DCIM, emergency procedures, preventative maintenance, and electrical/mechanical systems, and can independently manage the facility during an overnight shift.

Nesco Resource offers a comprehensive benefits package for our associates, which includes a MEC (Minimum Essential Coverage) plan that encompasses Medical, Vision, Dental, 401K, and EAP (Employee Assistance Program) services.

Nesco Resource provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.