Data Center Operator
Industry: Data Center Operations – Onsite (Chester, VA)
Employment Type: Full-time, Salaried, Exempt
About Chirisa Technology Parks
Chirisa Technology Parks (CTP) is an owner and operator of large-scale data centers serving enterprise, cloud, AI, and HPC customers. CTP leverages deep expertise in design, development, and delivery combined with significant capital resources to provide best-in-class facilities and services for its customers and partners. With a growing pipeline of development projects across the U.S., CTP is committed to delivering institutional-quality assets while maintaining long-term value creation for its stakeholders.
Position Summary
The Data Center Operator is a skilled mission-critical facilities engineer responsible for the safe operation, monitoring, maintenance, troubleshooting, and operational reliability of critical infrastructure supporting the Chester data center. This position is entrusted with the operation of electrical, mechanical, cooling, fire protection, and monitoring systems that directly support customer uptime, business continuity, and operational resilience.
Working under the direction of the Chief Engineer, the Data Center Operator independently evaluates equipment conditions, monitors system performance, responds to alarms and abnormal operating events, executes approved operating procedures, and performs advanced troubleshooting of mission-critical infrastructure. This role exercises sound technical judgment when making operational decisions that directly affect facility uptime, personnel safety, equipment reliability, and customer operations. The Data Center Operator identifies operational risks, recommends corrective actions, and coordinates with site leadership, vendors, and customers to ensure the continuous and reliable operation of critical infrastructure.
Key Responsibilities
Critical Infrastructure Operations
- Operate, monitor, maintain, and troubleshoot mission-critical electrical and mechanical infrastructure, including UPS systems, generators, switchgear, ATS, STS, PDUs, transformers, HVAC systems, chillers, CRAC/CRAH units, pumps, controls, fire/life safety systems, BMS, EPMS, and associated building systems.
- Independently evaluate equipment conditions and system performance to maintain continuous facility operations and customer uptime.
- Execute approved Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Methods of Procedure (MOPs), and Emergency Operating Procedures (EOPs) in support of safe and reliable operations.
- Plan and execute switching activities, equipment isolation, and system transfers in accordance with approved operating procedures while evaluating operational risk and maintaining system reliability.
- Continuously evaluate facility operating conditions and communicate recommendations that improve reliability and operational performance.
Technical Operations & Decision Making
- Exercise sound technical judgment when responding to alarms, abnormal operating conditions, equipment failures, and infrastructure events.
- Assess operational risk and determine the appropriate response within established operating procedures and escalation protocols.
- Make real-time operational decisions that directly affect facility uptime, personnel safety, equipment reliability, and customer operations.
- Identify developing equipment conditions that may impact system reliability and recommend corrective actions.
- Escalate complex operational issues while providing technical recommendations to support effective decision making.
- Coordinate with the Chief Engineer during planned maintenance, infrastructure modifications, and emergency operations.
Maintenance & Reliability
- Perform preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance on mission-critical electrical and mechanical systems.
- Analyze system performance, diagnose equipment failures, and determine appropriate corrective actions.
- Participate in root cause analysis and implementation of corrective actions following equipment failures or operational incidents.
- Verify equipment is returned to proper operating condition following maintenance or repair.
- Support commissioning, startup, testing, and acceptance of new infrastructure.
- Maintain accurate maintenance documentation within the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS).
Monitoring & System Performance
- Continuously monitor facility systems using BMS, EPMS, alarms, and other monitoring platforms.
- Analyze operating trends and identify developing equipment or infrastructure issues.
- Evaluate system performance to ensure equipment is operating within established parameters.
- Record operational data and communicate significant findings to site leadership.
- Recommend operational improvements that enhance system reliability and efficiency.
Incident Response & Business Continuity
- Respond to facility alarms, equipment failures, utility events, and abnormal operating conditions.
- Evaluate incident severity and execute appropriate response procedures.
- Participate in emergency response activities to restore normal operations while minimizing operational risk.
- Support post-incident reviews and implementation of corrective actions.
- Participate in emergency drills and business continuity exercises.
Work Management & Documentation
- Manage assigned work orders within the CMMS and ensure accurate documentation of maintenance activities.
- Maintain equipment logs, operational records, maintenance histories, and shift reports.
- Coordinate maintenance activities with vendors, contractors, and internal teams.
- Support customer maintenance notifications and operational communications.
- Ensure maintenance documentation meets company, customer, and regulatory requirements.
Safety & Compliance
- Promote a proactive safety culture and maintain compliance with OSHA, NFPA 70E, Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), and company safety procedures.
- Identify unsafe conditions and recommend corrective actions.
- Execute all work in accordance with approved safety procedures and operational standards.
- Participate in safety meetings, audits, inspections, and training activities.
- Support customer, regulatory, and internal audits while maintaining operational compliance documentation.
Required Experience
- High school diploma or GED required; technical school, military training, or an associate degree in Engineering Technology, Electrical Technology, Mechanical Technology, or a related discipline preferred.
- Minimum of three years of experience operating mission-critical facilities, data centers, industrial plants, utilities, hospitals, or similar critical infrastructure.
- Demonstrated experience operating and troubleshooting electrical and mechanical systems, including UPS systems, generators, switchgear, electrical distribution, HVAC, cooling systems, and building automation systems.
- Experience utilizing Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) and computerized monitoring systems.
- Ability to interpret technical drawings, one-line diagrams, operating procedures, and equipment documentation.
- Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in a mission-critical data center or colocation environment.
- NFPA 70E training or certification.
- OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification.
- Experience with Vertiv, Schneider Electric, Cummins, Caterpillar, Trane, Johnson Controls, Siemens, or comparable mission-critical equipment.
- Military technical experience is highly valued.
Core Competencies
- Mission-Critical Operations
- Technical Judgment
- Operational Decision Making
- Critical Thinking
- Electrical & Mechanical Systems Knowledge
- Troubleshooting & Root Cause Analysis
- Risk Assessment
- Attention to Detail
- Accountability
- Customer Focus
- Continuous Improvement
- Safety Leadership
- Team Collaboration
Physical Requirements
- Ability to walk throughout active data center, mechanical, electrical, and office environments for extended periods.
- Ability to frequently stand, bend, kneel, crouch, climb stairs, and work in mechanical and electrical equipment spaces.
- Ability to climb ladders and work from elevated locations when required.
- Ability to lift or move equipment and materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including arc-rated PPE when required.
- Ability to safely work around energized electrical equipment and rotating mechanical systems.
- Ability to work in varying temperatures, noise levels, and environmental conditions associated with mission-critical facilities.
Schedule
Full-time onsite position. Flexibility is required to support planned maintenance activities, infrastructure projects, customer requirements, and occasional after-hours operational support or emergency response as business needs require.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
