Data Center Chief Engineer - ORD at EDC — Aurora, Illinois | Racks & Rows
Data Center Chief Engineer - ORD
EDC·Aurora, Illinois
Full-time
Free account to apply · application completed on EDC
About This Role
About Edged Data Centers
Edged is a fast-growing provider of sustainable data centers and energy infrastructure. The company builds and operates a global network of ultra-efficient, AI-ready data centers with waterless cooling for colocation, hyperscale and build-to-suit customers. The highly differentiated infrastructure platform is the first large-scale, global deployment of waterless cooling platform-wide and transforms data center growth into a catalyst for sustainable development. Edged is backed by a deep proprietary technology stack that will include renewable microgrid systems, ultra-clean generators, and waste-to-fuel solutions. The platform is designed for rapid deployment with more than a dozen new data centers operating or under construction across Europe and North America and a gigawatt-scale project pipeline.
The North American division of Edged is a joint venture between one of the largest private multinational corporations in the world and an affiliate of Endeavour. Endeavour is a purpose-driven organization helping innovators to develop and launch breakthrough solutions for global challenges in the areas of energy, water, and waste. Endeavour companies are made up of passionate change-makers who want to leave the world better than the way we found it. Today, Endeavour is deploying solutions that are immediately scalable and deliver both high financial returns and positive impact, including EV charging, waterless data center cooling, and advanced energy systems.
Responsibilities
Leadership & Team Management
Lead, mentor, and manage a team of facility technicians, ensuring high performance, accountability, and professional growth.
Oversee shift coverage, work assignments, and resource allocation to maintain site readiness and operational reliability.
Conduct performance evaluations, deliver coaching, and support career development for direct reports.
Foster a culture of safety, compliance, and teamwork across all operations.
Report staffing performance, issues, and needs to the Site Operations Manager for alignment with organizational goals.
Operations & Compliance
Ensure all operations comply with company policies, safety standards, and regulatory requirements.
Review and approve Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs), Methods of Procedure (MOPs), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and Emergency Operating Procedures (EOPs).
Conduct audits, inspections, and training to maintain operational readiness and compliance with Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).
Support compliance efforts with ISO 27001, PCI and SOC 2 Type I standards.
Provide regular operational updates to the Site Operations Manager for transparency and site alignment.
Facility & Systems Oversight
Oversee the operation, maintenance, and performance of electrical, mechanical, HVAC, and fire life safety systems.
Approve and prioritize preventative and corrective maintenance activities in the CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System).
Ensure documentation, reporting, and system logs are accurate and complete.
Analyze performance trends, identify risks, and drive preventive solutions to maintain uptime.
Incident Management & Escalations
Serve as the primary escalation point for abnormal conditions, incidents, or system failures at the site.
Escalate unresolved or high-impact issues directly to the Site Operations Manager for awareness and decision-making.
Lead root cause analysis, corrective action plans, and post-incident reporting.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance resilience, reliability, and operational maturity.
Customer, Vendor & Stakeholder Engagement
Act as additional site-level point of contact for customers, vendors, and contractors on technical and operational matters supporting the SOM.
Coordinate vendor and contractor activities, ensuring safety, compliance, and adherence to scope.
Support customer requirements, installations, and escalations with professionalism and urgency.
Partner with the Site Operations Manager and internal teams (IT, Operations, Projects) to align facility operations with business needs.
Planning & Reporting
Develop and manage maintenance schedules, work orders, and capacity plans to ensure long-term readiness.
Review and approve daily shift reports, turnover notes, and incident documentation.
Track spare parts, and inventory to optimize resources and reduce downtime risk.
Provide regular reports and operational updates to the Site Operations Manager and senior management.
Minimum Qualifications
Associate degree, technical degree, equivalent military training required or equivalent experience
5–7 years of experience in data center, critical facilities, or mission-critical environments.
2-3 years in a supervisory or lead role.
Strong technical expertise in electrical, mechanical, HVAC, and fire life safety systems.
Experience with CMMS, BMS, and other monitoring tools.
Proven ability to lead teams under pressure, manage escalations, and deliver results in high-availability environments.
Preferred Qualifications
Industry specific certification(s)
Bachelor's Degree in Engineering (Mechanical/Electrical)
Skills
Leadership and people management skills with a focus on team development.
Strong problem-solving, root cause analysis, and decision-making capabilities.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, CMMS, and reporting tools.
Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends, holidays, and on-call rotations as required.
EEO Statement:
Edged is an equal opportunities employer. We believe in ensuring equal access to employment opportunities for all. We assess candidate qualifications and make recruiting decisions based on the experience, capabilities and skills you share with us in your application and applicable materials. Hiring and employment decisions within Edged are not based on religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, or marital, veteran, or disability status.
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
Total Rewards Statement:
This role is also eligible for a competitive benefits package that includes: medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; 401(k) retirement plan; flexible spending and HSA accounts; paid holidays; PTO; employee assistance program; and other company benefits.
Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including your qualifications, location, skills, competencies, and experience and may fall outside of the range shown.
Great Place to Work
Enjoy…
A fast-paced, entrepreneurial culture focused on innovation.
A flexible, autonomous work environment.
A culture of respect, learning, and excellence.
Experienced, highly talented experts as team peers.
Growth and travel opportunities.
A team of change-makers having a significant impact on people and the planet.
Contact: edcrecruiting@edged.us
Required Skills
LeadershipPeople ManagementProblem SolvingRoot Cause AnalysisDecision MakingStakeholder ManagementMicrosoft OfficeCMMSBMSElectrical SystemsMechanical SystemsHVACFire Life Safety SystemsIncident ManagementOperational Compliance
