The Company

NorthMark Compute & Cloud (NMC²) is backed by dedicated leadership and investment, with a clear mission as it operates at the bleeding edge of technology. Its goal is to scale and enhance the high-performance computing (HPC) and cloud infrastructure that supports its clients' research, production, and delivery, enabling breakthroughs that shape the industries of tomorrow. Its engineers build critical infrastructure to eliminate friction in scientific research, simulations, analysis, and decision-making, accelerating discovery and driving faster innovation

The Position

The Mechanical Operations Subject Matter Expert (SME) will serve as the on-site technical authority for all mechanical systems supporting the High-Performance Compute Center (HPCC) and associated onsite power generation facilities. This role provides real-time operational guidance, troubleshooting, and technical oversight in a live mission-critical environment.

This position requires exceptional technical proficiency in chilled-water systems, cooling towers, heat exchangers, pumps, and water chemistry and treatment experience, as well as the leadership and communication skills to coordinate effectively with multiple operational teams in a mission-critical environment. Reporting to the Mechanical Operations Manager and working alongside contracted and internal operators across liquid cooling, power generation, and electrical disciplines.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as the on-shift mechanical authority for cooling, chilled-water, and thermal management systems supporting compute and power generation operations.
• Coordinate with contracted operators to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient operation of mechanical infrastructure.
• Direct startup, shutdown, maintenance, isolation, and restoration activities for chilled-water systems, liquid cooling loops, and associated equipment.
• Monitor system performance, identify abnormalities, and lead troubleshooting and corrective actions to maintain thermal stability and availability.
• Maintain deep technical expertise in hydronic systems including chillers, pumps, heat exchangers, CDUs, RDHXs, valves, and associated infrastructure.
• Support commissioning, system integration, functional testing, and acceptance of new equipment or modifications.
• Participate in root cause analysis and corrective action planning following mechanical or cooling-related events.
• Monitor and maintain technical water chemistry programs, including sampling, testing oversight, corrosion control, pH balance, and biological growth prevention.
• Ensure alignment between compute-side and upstream infrastructure loops to maintain consistent water quality and system reliability.
• Mentor and train contracted operators and maintenance personnel in mechanical operations, safety practices, and procedural discipline.
• Assist in development and refinement of mechanical SOPs, preventive maintenance procedures, and emergency response protocols.
• Enforce adherence to mechanical safety standards including confined space, pressure boundaries, and Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) requirements.
• Maintain accurate shift logs, equipment status reporting, and event documentation.
• Identify operational improvement opportunities and escalate recommendations to leadership.

Requirements:

• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Facilities Engineering, or related discipline; or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 8 years of experience operating and maintaining complex mechanical systems in data centers, industrial facilities, or power plants.
• Strong working knowledge of chilled-water systems, pumps, heat exchangers, CDUs, RDHXs, and thermal management equipment.
• Demonstrated proficiency in troubleshooting, hydraulic balancing, and performance optimization of liquid cooling systems.
• Proven ability to mentor and train operators or technicians in safe, reliable mechanical operations.
• Familiarity with ASHRAE, OSHA, and NFPA standards applicable to mission-critical environments.
• Ability to interpret P&IDs, mechanical schematics, and sequence-of-operations documentation.