Job description

Job Type: Full-Time l Location: Childress, TX l Department: Operations l Reporting to: Senior Operations Manager HPC | Work Location Type: #onsite

The HPC Mechanical Manager is the senior operations authority for the Central Utility Plant (CUP) at a hyperscale AI/ML data center in West Texas. This role holds full accountability for the safe, continuous 24x7 operation of all thermal, water, and mechanical systems enabling high-density GPU compute - including direct liquid-to-chip (DLC) cooling, chilled water plants, and air-side infrastructure. It combines deep technical authority with hands-on people leadership in a Tier III/IV-equivalent, mission-critical environment.

Job requirements

• Valid 2nd Class Power Engineering License (or ability to obtain/maintain per site authority)
• 5+ years operating mission-critical or industrial utility systems with progressive leadership responsibility
• Strong CUP fundamentals: chillers, hydronic/glycol loops, pumps, heat exchangers, VFDs, mechanical refrigeration
• Hands-on experience with HPC liquid cooling (CDUs, manifolds, filtration, leak detection)
• Ability to read one-lines, P&IDs, and MEP drawings; proficient with BMS/SCADA/PLC systems
• Proven ability to lead teams in high-availability, high-consequence environments
• Must lift 50 lbs., climb ladders, work in varied environments; on-call rotation required

Preferred Qualifications

• Boilers, steam systems, large-frame gas or steam turbines; hyperscale data center or heavy industrial background
• EPA 608 Universal; OSHA 10/30; NFPA 70E; cooling tower water treatment certification
• CMMS proficiency; hydronic balancing and data center thermal operations experience

Job responsibilities

CUP & Cooling Systems

• Own end-to-end CUP operation targeting 99.999% availability of cooling, water, and thermal services
• Operate, monitor, and optimize chillers, pumps, cooling towers, dry coolers, heat exchangers, CDUs, hydronic distribution, and expansion systems
• Oversee demineralized water treatment; ensure ultrapure make-up water quality for DLC loops, secondary cooling, closed-loop circuits, and buffer tanks
• Support liquid-cooled HPC (CDUs, manifolds, filtration, leak detection) and air-cooled data halls (CRAH/CRAC, AHUs, humidity and temperature control)
• Operate BMS/SCADA/PLC systems; interpret alarms, trend performance, and adjust setpoints within approved operating envelopes

Water Chemistry & Environmental Compliance

• Control chemistry for chilled water, condenser water, glycol/hydronic loops, and DLC circuits; manage scaling, corrosion, fouling, and biological risk
• Oversee safe handling and storage of bulk chemicals (acids, caustics, biocides); ensure HSE and spill prevention compliance
• Act as site authority for environmental incidents, near misses, RCAs, and corrective action closure

24x7 Operations & Incident Response

• Lead Control Room and Field Operations: alarm management, trend-based fault detection, and rapid response to abnormal conditions and thermal excursions
• Execute EOPs during plant upsets; communicate status and recovery actions to stakeholders; coordinate during maintenance windows and commissioning
• Maintain accurate operating logs, shift turnover documentation, incident reports, and work orders

Safe Work & Change Management

• Govern Permit-to-Work and LOTO; enforce procedural discipline and exercise stop-work authority
• Champion a "safety first, always" culture.
• Own MOPs/SOPs/EOPs - draft, validate during execution, and incorporate lessons learned
• Coordinate with maintenance and engineering teams for safe return-to-service without impact to live loads

People Leadership

• Lead a multi-disciplinary CUP team: Power/Stationary Engineers, Control Room Operators, and Field Technicians
• Manage 24x7 shift coverage, staffing, overtime, and on-call rotations
• Conduct performance management, coaching, and development; drive training in DLC cooling, water chemistry, and emergency operations
• Lead recurring drills: alarm response, thermal excursion, and leak events

Reliability & Continuous Improvement

• Track KPIs: utility availability, chemistry compliance, incident metrics, PM completion, backlog health, and energy/water performance
• Lead RCAs; drive corrective actions and optimization of plant efficiency, WUE, and thermal performance
• Maintain Tier III/IV design intent compliance and regulatory readiness

Job benefits

At IREN, we offer a comprehensive, market-competitive total rewards package designed to support employees' well-being, career advancement, and financial wealth. Our offerings reflect our commitment to Proceed with Purpose while rewarding high performance and long-term growth.

C ompensation

• The salary range will start at $145,000.
  • Actual compensation will be determined based on factors such as experience, qualifications.
• Overtime compensation for non-exempt workers for hours worked over 40 per week.

Health & Wellness

• 100% company paid health insurance premiums (medical, dental, and vision) for employees, 75% company paid coverage for dependents
• Company-paid short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Voluntary life, critical illness, and accident coverage available

• Health Savings Accounts (HSA) - when combined with the High-Deductible Health Plan
• Employee Assistance Program and wellness resources

Retirement & Financial Wealth

• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Paid professional development and access to financial planning and legal services

Time Off & Leave Programs

• Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays

Growth & Development

• Professional development to support certifications, continuing education, or role related training

Community & Culture

• Company events and team-building activities

We value diverse perspectives and believe that skills can be developed. If you're passionate about this role, we want to hear from you - whether you meet every criteria or not. Your unique experiences might be exactly what we need!