Operations Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Description

About Coresite
At CoreSite, we empower a more connected future through high-performance data centers and interconnection solutions. Recognized as a trusted partner in digital transformation, our strategically located facilities and innovative services enable businesses to connect, collaborate, and grow in an ever-evolving technological landscape.
Our culture is defined by operational excellence and a relentless drive for innovation. We foster a collaborative, inclusive environment where every team member is valued, wins are celebrated as a team, and ownership is part of our DNA. At CoreSite, we’re not just building state-of-the-art infrastructure—we’re creating a community of forward-thinkers committed to solving complex challenges and delivering exceptional customer experiences.
At CoreSite not only are we Committed to Excellence, but we also Build Connections, Own It, Do the Right Thing, Have Fun, and Win as a Team. Join us and be part of a team that is shaping the future of digital infrastructure while nurturing your professional growth and success.
Critical Operations Engineer II Role:
The Critical Operations Engineer II must possess an expert level of knowledge and will be responsible for the operational integrity and regulatory compliance of the data center electrical, mechanical, fire life safety systems, and communications infrastructure.
We are currently hiring for the 2nd Shift - Sunday - Thursday 2:00PM-10:30PM
Mechanical responsibilities will include chilled water systems and components, HVAC systems such as roof top units, CRAC/CRAH units, and humidification systems.
Electrical responsibilities will include electrical/critical power distribution from the Utility/Generator main switchgear through the UPS systems out to the customer load.
Fire Life Safety responsibilities will include wet sprinkler systems and pre-action sprinkler systems as well as their associated detection devices.
Communications Infrastructure responsibilities will include IFD / MDF / MMR management, structured cabling and supporting infrastructure ownership, and customer space management.
This position will also be directly responsible for the processes that maximize customer uptime in the most cost-effective way by working very closely with the Data Center Manager. Technicians must ensure that data center problems are identified and repaired quickly, contractors deliver quality services, and internal customer demands are met. A Tier IV technician develops creative approaches to keep operational costs to a minimum, improve efficiency, and implement new strategies.
Duties:

• Data center subject matter expert for electrical, mechanical, controls, and fire life safety systems.
• Operate, monitor, maintain, and respond to abnormal conditions in facilities systems. Areas include: Electrical, Mechanical, Communications, Building Monitoring and Control.
• Tracking and trending operational characteristics.
• Mentoring of junior staff.
• Work with the site Data Center Manager to track and complete an aggressive preventive and predicative maintenance schedule
• Work with and provides guidance, to the site Data Center Manager to determine maintenance requirements for mechanical and electrical systems
• Ensure data center operates at maximum operational efficiency, including analyzing existing operating conditions, recommending new technologies, and improving overall efficiency and cost reduction. Ideal candidate will have a demonstrated technical ability and innovative thinking cross functionally, including integrated systems and IT
• Manage systems to avoid unplanned, customer-impacting outages
• Manage the data floor and back of house mechanical loading capacity thereby ensuring that the cooling system is operating at its highest efficiency
• Provide applied mechanical and integrated control expertise for the entire data center
• Work as a primary knowledge expert in regard to fire and electrical codes.
• Serve in a technical writing capacity in regard to the derivation of procedures for preventative or corrective maintenance activities.
• Assist Data Center Manager with the database management of maintenance discrepancies and work with Operations management to resolve site issues based on agreed upon priorities.

• Trouble Ticket Management
• Work Order Completion Process
• Infrastructure projects (Internal/Customer)
• • Cage Build-Outs
  • Overhead Installations
  • Rack and Stack
• Navigate and utilize a CMMS system.

• Use developed procedures to solve problems
• Assist in asset and consumable inventory management.
• Responsible for the tracking and proper labeling of all equipment per established procedures.
• Ensures that processes are completed in a timely manner pertaining to Service Level Agreements (SLA) and data is uploaded to the OSS accordingly.

• Provide physical security within the CoreSite premises.
• Provide day-to-day exceptional customer service and support.
• Incident escalation and report writing

• Monitor the building fire alarm system.
• Maintain and complete regular facility and security tours documenting and responding to found issues.
• Adhere to and promote CoreSite’s Principles of Operational Excellence, culture, and 8 Guiding Principles.

Requirements

Knowledge:

• Expert understanding of the electrical and mechanical systems used in a facility and data center environment, including, but not limited to the following: electrical distribution and layout, Transformers, PLC’s, Generators, Switchgear, UPS systems, STS’, ATS’ PDU’s, Chilled Water Systems, CRAC/CRAH’s, Pre-Action Sprinkler Systems
• Expert knowledge of NEC, NFPA 70E, NFPA 72, NFPA 25, and compliance issues as well as building codes in regard to fire life safety
• Expert knowledge of fiber optics / cabling infrastructure and industry best practices.
• Expert knowledge in industrial safety best practices (i.e. lockout/tag out, arc flash protection, OSHA and state regulations)
• Expert knowledge and experienced with data trending / tracking and analysis and ability to rapidly learn and use PC based, integrated critical monitoring systems

Skills:

• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience installing, maintaining, and/or troubleshooting large commercial and industrial systems including: Chilled Water Systems, Large Centrifugal Chillers, Cooling Towers, Heat Exchangers, Water Treatment Systems, VFD’s and Pumps, HVAC equipment, CRAC/CRAH’s, Humidification Systems, BMS and PLC Controls, Emergency Standby Diesel Generator Systems, Fuel/Oil systems, 480/277 and 208/120 electrical generation and distribution, Static UPS Systems, and Double Interlock Pre-Action Systems
• Proven leadership skills
• Proven expert and laying out, pulling, dressing, and terminating fiber and copper communications cabling.
• Experience diagnosing and repairing IT hardware, servers, network switches, structured cabling.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral including Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project).

Abilities:

• Ability to communicate effectively with customers and internal staff.
• Ability to coordinate, supervise and communicate with contractors who perform maintenance or upgrade work on these systems.
• Ability to learn quickly and address issues as they arise during normal working hours or after hours.
• Ability to operate in and promote a rigorous process-driven team environment
• Ability to logically analyze and solve problems
• Ability to effectively multi-task multiple projects
• Operate Hand and Machine Tools (hammer, drill, saw, etc.)
• Operate electrical tools such as a multi-meter or infrared camera

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or equivalent time in rate.
• 5 or more years in a mechanical/electrical position within critical facilities (preference given to a data center, hospital, or power plant experience)
• Be able to pass an extensive background check, including criminal history, personal references, employment and education verifications, and Department of Motor Vehicle and credit check.

Physical Demands and special requirements
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to stand 1/3 – 2/3 of the time
• Ability to walk 1/3 – 2/3 of the time
• Ability to sit 1/3 – 2/3 of the time
• Ability to climb and balance 1/3 – 2/3 of the time
• Ability to stoop, kneel, crouch and crawl 1/3 – 2/3 of the time
• Ability to reach with hands & arms 1/3 – 2/3 of the time
• Ability to smell, talk & hear
• Ability to use hands to type, handle & feel
• Ability to reach with hands and arms
• Ability to see at close and distance ranges and the ability to see color
• Must be comfortable working in a high stress, fast paced environment with shifting priorities
• Must be willing to work outside normal business hours, including weekends, late nights, holidays, and on-call support
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds 1/3 of the time

Benefits

Not only does CoreSite have a fun, team-focused work environment, but we also offer great benefits to all employees regularly scheduled to work more than 20 hours a week!

• First-day medical insurance through Cigna with generous premium cost coverage
• Dental insurance through Delta Dental
• Vision insurance through VSP
• Telemedicine through MDLive for Cigna
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending account (FSA) plans
• Health saving account (HSA) plans for employees participating in the High Deductible Health Plan
• Life, AD&D, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance fully paid by the company
• Voluntary coverage benefits for supplemental life, critical illness, accident, and hospital insurance
• First-day eligibility for 401(k) savings plan through Fidelity, which includes an attractive matching company contribution with a 5% company match
• Discretionary annual bonus and equity incentive plan
• Employee stock purchase plan (ESPP) with a 15% discount
• 16 days of paid time off (PTO), 11 paid company holidays, and additional floating holidays
• Additional paid time off for school events, elder care, volunteering, bereavement, jury duty, voting, parental leave, and disability leave
• Free parking or a company contribution toward a public transit pass

Additional Perks

• Wellness Reimbursement Program: Yearly stipend of $500 for employees and $300 for dependents, up to $800 total for the family
• Wellness Incentive Program: Participate in various wellbeing activities to earn up to $450 per year in cash incentives
• Technology Stipend: $100 monthly stipend
• Educational Reimbursement Program: Work-related learning and development with reimbursement on qualifying degree programs, up to $5,250 per year
• Giving Back: Charitable donation matches up to $5,000 per year and nominate organizations for Company Foundation grants
• Financial Management: Access to financial coaching, digital tools, and services to manage and pay student loan debt quicker
• Pet Insurance: Keep your furry friends healthy and happy
• Family Planning: Benefits and services related to fertility, pregnancy, menopause, adoption and surrogacy
• Employee Assistance Program: 24x7 service to support family, work, money, health, legal and life challenges
• Counseling and Caregiving Programs: Including access to mental health services, licensed counselors, and caregiving tools including membership for finding care
• Referral Bonus: Receive a $3,000 cash bonus if referred candidate is hired and meets eligibility requirements
• Discounts: Discounts, cash back offers, and perks on thousands of brands
• LinkedIn Learning Membership: Support your development when accessing LinkedIn’s online library of courses and videos

General Statements -
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. The employer will not sponsor applicants for work visas.
Please note that all offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and, where permitted by law, a 5-panel drug test conducted after the offer letter is signed, which will screen for THC, opiates, PCP, cocaine, and amphetamines. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Applicant Privacy Notice: CoreSite is committed to protecting the privacy and security of personal information submitted by applicants. The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) requires us to provide you information about our personal information handling practices. As a result, we’re providing this Privacy Notice that describes how we collect, use, share, and update personal information from individuals who wish to be considered for employment with CoreSite. To read the Applicant Privacy Notice, please go to .
Unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this job posting on external sites is prohibited without prior written consent from CoreSite. We are not responsible for any postings or offers not originating from our official channels or approved partners.