Lead Critical Facilities Engineer

MXI Partners is recruiting a Lead Critical Facilities Engineer for a data-center infrastructure and operations organisation in Ashburn, Virginia.

This is a hands-on position responsible for operating, maintaining and troubleshooting the mechanical, electrical and controls infrastructure supporting a 24/7 mission-critical facility.

The successful candidate will have experience working across critical HVAC and electrical systems, responding to alarms and equipment failures, and completing preventive and corrective maintenance with minimal supervision.

Key Responsibilities

Mechanical Systems

• Operate, monitor and maintain critical mechanical infrastructure, including air- and water-cooled chillers, centrifugal and screw chillers, cooling towers, CRAC and CRAH units, air-handling units, fan-coil units, pumps and fans

• Perform preventive, predictive and corrective maintenance on HVAC and mechanical plant equipment

• Diagnose mechanical faults and support emergency repairs to minimize downtime

• Monitor system efficiency, capacity and performance against facility requirements

• Support air and water balancing activities

• Read and interpret mechanical schematics, blueprints and sequence-of-operations documents

Electrical Systems

• Support the operation and maintenance of switchgear, UPS systems, PDUs, generators, ATS/STS equipment and battery systems

• Assist with electrical inspections, testing and preventive maintenance

• Respond to electrical alarms and assist with root-cause investigations

• Read and interpret electrical schematics, technical drawings and single-line diagrams

• Coordinate with senior engineers and specialist contractors when required

Controls and Monitoring

• Use BMS, EPMS and DDC platforms to monitor equipment, adjust setpoints and respond to alarms

• Support controls troubleshooting and integration, including VFD and pneumatic systems

• Maintain accurate operating logs, equipment readings and maintenance records

• Produce documentation supporting compliance, audits and reliability reporting

Additional Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively across mechanical, electrical and controls disciplines

• Support the safe and reliable operation of a 24/7 critical facility

• Assist during incidents, equipment failures and emergency maintenance

• Provide guidance, technical support and mentorship to junior engineers

• Follow all site safety, operating and change-management procedures

Required Experience

• Previous experience in a data center, critical facility or comparable mission-critical environment

• Strong working knowledge of commercial or industrial HVAC and refrigeration systems

• Experience operating or maintaining critical electrical infrastructure

• Experience using BMS, EPMS or DDC controls

• Ability to read mechanical schematics and electrical single-line diagrams

• Hands-on preventive, corrective and emergency maintenance experience

• Strong troubleshooting and fault-finding ability

• Ability to work effectively with limited supervision

• Experience supporting a facility that operates continuously

• Ability to communicate effectively with engineers, contractors and facility stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications

• Journeyman or Master Electrician license

• Journeyman or Master HVAC/Mechanical license

• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, electrical engineering technology or a related discipline

• EPA/CFC, HVAC Excellence or NATE certification

• NFPA 70E or arc-flash safety training

• OEM training from manufacturers such as Liebert/Vertiv, STULZ, Caterpillar, Cummins, ASCO, Schneider Electric, Trane, Carrier or York

Compensation and Benefits

• $50–$70 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications

• Overtime paid at time-and-a-half

• Discretionary annual bonus

• Company truck

• Medical, dental and vision insurance

• 401(k) with employer contribution

• Technical training and professional development

• Career-growth opportunities within mission-critical and data-center operations

Work Requirements

• This is an on-site position in Ashburn, Virginia

• Data Center Experience

• Candidates must be able to work within a 24/7 critical-facilities environment

• The exact shift and schedule will be discussed during the interview process

• Candidates must be authorised to work in the United States