Mechanical Operations Engineer

Key ResponsibilitiesMechanical Systems & Field Engineering Support mechanical and utility systems across data hall and supporting infrastructure areas, including cooling, water, wastewater, fire protection, and power-generation interfaces. Working alongside experienced engineers and discipline specialists, you will support field inspections, commissioning, troubleshooting, design reviews, maintenance planning, and operational readiness.

Mechanical Operations Engineer –Data Center Infrastructure

Location: Spartanburg, SC
Work Arrangement: Onsite
Employment Type: Direct Hire
Compensation: Base Salary + Bonus
Benefits: 100% Company-Paid Benefits
Paid Time Off: 25 Days of PTO
Reports To: Manager, Mechanical Operations
​Overview
Our client is seeking a Mechanical Operations Engineer to support the cooling, utilities, environmental, fire protection, and onsite power-generation systems serving a large-scale High-Performance Compute Center (HPCC).

This opportunity is designed for an early- to mid-career engineer who wants to build broad technical experience and grow into a subject matter expert within a mission-critical infrastructure organization.

Working alongside experienced engineers and discipline specialists, you will support field inspections, commissioning, troubleshooting, design reviews, maintenance planning, and operational readiness. Assignments will follow the team’s most pressing needs, providing exposure to different systems and practical engineering challenges.

The position combines hands-on fieldwork with technical analysis, documentation, and coordination. You will prepare findings and recommendations for review by the responsible subject matter expert, Mechanical Operations Manager, and Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) team.
Key ResponsibilitiesMechanical Systems & Field Engineering

• Support mechanical and utility systems across data hall and supporting infrastructure areas, including cooling, water, wastewater, fire protection, and power-generation interfaces.
• Participate in design, drawing, specification, and equipment submittal reviews.
• Evaluate installations for operability, maintainability, accessibility, and alignment with project requirements.
• Conduct field walkdowns, inspections, and construction observations.
• Gather equipment data, review operating trends, and document findings for engineering review.

Commissioning & Operational Readiness

• Assist with equipment startup, system flushing, controls verification, and functional testing.
• Support integrated systems testing, punch-list resolution, turnover, and warranty follow-up.
• Coordinate with contractors, vendors, and equipment manufacturers to resolve open items.
• Help verify that systems, documentation, and maintenance requirements are ready for operational handoff.

Troubleshooting & Reliability

• Support response to mechanical and utility system events as assigned.
• Assist with troubleshooting, failure investigations, and root-cause analysis.
• Collect operating data, develop event timelines, and track corrective actions.
• Identify recurring issues and opportunities to improve system reliability and maintenance practices.
• Work across engineering disciplines to understand system dependencies and operational impacts.

Maintenance & Technical Documentation

• Maintain accurate equipment and work records in the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS).
• Help develop and update:
  • Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
  • Methods of Procedure (MOPs)
  • Emergency Operating Procedures (EOPs)
  • Maintenance instructions and technical reference materials
• Document inspection findings, testing results, troubleshooting steps, and lessons learned.
• Follow assigned actions through completion and communicate progress to the appropriate technical lead.

Environmental, Compliance & Safety Support

• Coordinate sampling, compliance testing, and supporting data collection under SME and EHS direction.
• Prepare technical information and records supporting permit deadlines and compliance activities.
• Follow site safety procedures, including lockout/tagout, confined-space requirements, pressure-boundary controls, and required PPE.
• Escalate safety concerns, abnormal conditions, and technical questions promptly.
• Support preparation of regulatory information;final technical decisions, submittals, and approvals remain with designated SMEs, management, and EHS.

Technical Development & Collaboration

• Work alongside specialists across mechanical operations, utilities, environmental systems, and power generation.
• Adapt to changing priorities and short-notice assignments involving active events, testing, reviews, or investigations.
• Maintain a daily record of assignments, systems supported, and lessons learned.
• Progress through a documented development plan reviewed at least semiannually.
• Build the technical judgment and system knowledge needed to take on greater responsibility and progress toward SME readiness.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Environmental, or a related engineering discipline, or equivalent technical experience.
• 2–5 years of experience in mechanical systems, utilities, power generation, industrial or commercial facility operations, construction, or commissioning.
• Working knowledge of mechanical and fluid-system fundamentals, including pumps, heat exchangers, piping, controls, and water treatment.
• Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, engineering drawings, specifications, and OEM documentation.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, documentation, and communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with contractors, vendors, equipment manufacturers, EHS, and other engineering disciplines.
• Willingness to learn unfamiliar systems, ask informed questions, and become productive quickly.
• Ability to manage changing priorities and take ownership of assigned work.
• Willingness to work onsite in field and plant environments, including active construction and commissioning areas.
• Availability to support occasional off-hours events and travel for vendor visits, OEM activities, or training as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in data centers, mission-critical facilities, or power-generation environments.
• Commissioning, startup, or turnover experience on large capital projects.
• Familiarity with CMMS platforms, reliability practices, and root-cause analysis methods.
• Exposure to air, water, or wastewater compliance requirements, sampling, and testing.
• Familiarity with one or more of the following:
  • Liquid cooling systems
  • Chilled-water plants
  • Fire protection systems
  • Water and wastewater systems
  • Reciprocating engine or gas turbine generation

Ideal Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate brings a solid engineering foundation, practical curiosity, and a willingness to learn through hands-on work.

You should be comfortable moving between field observations, technical documentation, equipment troubleshooting, and cross-functional discussions. Success requires dependable follow-through, attention to safety, and the judgment to recognize when an issue needs specialist review.

This role offers a path to develop broad infrastructure knowledge before building deeper ownership in a technical discipline.