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Columbus, Ohio, United States
Hybrid
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SUMMARY:
Does the thought of joining one of the fastest-growing, privately held data center companies sound exciting to you? Do you enjoy collaborating with team members to drive and operate some of the industry’s leading and most innovative infrastructure solutions?
At Aligned Data Centers, not only do we celebrate success across our platform, we celebrate the very teams that drive and support that success! Our culture is founded in passion, engineered from innovation, and driven by the pursuit of operational excellence. We are dedicated to driving positive change through continuous data center innovation, diversity and inclusion, and corporate sustainability.
As part of our continued growth, we are seeking an experienced Operations Training Manager with demonstrated electrical, mechanical, Building Management System (BMS)/controls, and water-treatment knowledge to develop and lead technical training for our Data Center Operations teams.
This is not a traditional Learning & Development or Instructional Design position. Technical knowledge and experience are fundamental requirements of this role. Candidates must bring prior experience working in complex technical or mission-critical environments and be able to establish credibility with Critical Facilities Technicians, Facility Managers, engineers, commissioning teams, and other technical SMEs.
We are particularly interested in candidates whose technical foundation comes from data centers, critical facilities, utilities/power generation, facilities engineering, industrial manufacturing, construction/commissioning, or similarly complex technical environments.
The Operations Training Manager will translate real-world operational knowledge, engineering documentation, equipment manuals, drawings, procedures, and SME expertise into standardized technical training and qualification programs. This role is also a highly visible training facilitator responsible for leading engaging monthly live and virtual instructor-led training sessions and regional calls. This individual must establish credibility with experienced technicians and engineers, communicate complex technical concepts clearly to varied audiences, and create effective learning experiences for employees entering the data center industry.
This position follows a hybrid work model, with an expectation to work on-site at an Aligned data center approximately 2–3 days per week and travel up to 20% to support regional data center locations.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Essential Responsibilities
• Develop, standardize, and continuously improve technical training and qualification programs that prepare Operations personnel to safely operate, monitor, maintain, troubleshoot, and respond to abnormal conditions involving critical data center infrastructure.
• Own and continuously improve Operations training supporting Qualification Cards (Qual Cards), new-hire Operations training modules, ServiceNow (SNOW), BMS, procedure compliance and approvals, QA/QC, drills, continuing technical education, and safety training.
• Develop system-level training that enables Operations personnel to understand how and why systems operate as designed, including normal operation, Sequences of Operations (SOOs), failure modes, alarms, interlocks, redundancy, maintenance impacts, and emergency response.
• Develop training that reinforces correct execution and documentation of MOPs, SOPs, EOPs, Change Requests (CRs), maintenance work instructions, procedure approvals, and other controlled procedures.
• Develop and support training for operational technology and workflow platforms used by Data Center Operations, including ServiceNow (SNOW), BMS, CMMS/work-order systems, qualification tools, and other monitoring, maintenance, and workflow technologies.
• Develop training that prepares Operations personnel to recognize and respond appropriately to equipment failures, system deviations, alarms, SLA events, emergency conditions, customer concerns, and other site incidents, including escalation requirements.
• Develop drills, simulations, scenarios, practical exercises, and performance assessments that evaluate an employee’s ability to apply technical knowledge under realistic operating conditions.
• Plan, prepare, and facilitate monthly live and virtual instructor-led training sessions and regional calls, using clear presentation, demonstration, questioning, discussion, and learner-engagement techniques to support consistent knowledge transfer across sites.
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, Commissioning, Construction, Safety, Facility Managers, Maintenance Program Managers, and equipment SMEs to develop training on engineering design, operational characteristics, and SOOs for electrical, mechanical, cooling, controls, fire/life-safety, and water-treatment systems.
• Ensure qualification standards measure demonstrated job performance and system understanding, not simply course completion. Strong technical writing is essential; a significant portion of this role involves researching, writing, reviewing, and revising technical training content.
• Incorporate lessons learned from incidents, maintenance events, QA/QC findings, procedure changes, equipment failures, commissioning activities, and operational performance trends into continuing training.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Ability to work on-site at an Aligned data center approximately 2–3 days per week and travel domestically up to 20% for regional coverage.
• Demonstrated training facilitation and technical writing skills. Must be able to confidently lead monthly live and virtual instructor-led training sessions and regional calls; present and demonstrate technical content; engage learners through questions, discussion, scenarios, and practical exercises; manage varied audience needs; and independently research and develop training from engineering documentation, equipment manuals, operating procedures, field observations, and SME interviews.
• Demonstrated ability to establish credibility and collaborate effectively with Critical Facilities Technicians, Facility Managers, engineers, commissioning teams, maintenance personnel, vendors, and other technical SMEs.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex equipment, system, and procedural information into clear technical training while maintaining engineering and operational accuracy.
• Experience developing and/or delivering technical training, operator/technician qualification, OJT, equipment training, maintenance training, or other performance-based technical instruction.
• Experience with CMMS/work-order processes, including preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance workflows, maintenance documentation, and equipment/asset history.
• Experience with ServiceNow (SNOW) or a comparable enterprise workflow/operations platform, with an understanding of how it supports operational requests, work tracking, documentation, training, or related data center processes.
• Experience interpreting engineering and operating documentation, including one-line diagrams, P&IDs, SOOs, equipment manuals, technical specifications, system descriptions, MOPs/SOPs/EOPs, maintenance procedures, and drawings.
• Working knowledge of water treatment and water chemistry associated with mission-critical cooling systems, including water-quality parameters, chemical treatment, monitoring, and the operational impact of improper water conditions.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Building Management Systems (BMS) and controls, including system monitoring, alarms, Sequences of Operation, control logic, instrumentation, and the interaction between control systems and physical equipment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of mechanical systems, including HVAC, chillers and critical cooling, pumps, motors, fans, valves, piping, heat-transfer equipment, and associated fluid systems.
• Demonstrated knowledge of electrical systems, including electrical distribution, switchgear, transformers, circuit breakers, UPS systems, generators, ATS/STS, PDUs, and related control/protection systems.
• 5+ years of relevant technical experience in data center/critical facilities operations, power generation/utilities, military nuclear or propulsion systems, industrial manufacturing, facilities engineering, construction/commissioning, or another complex technical operating environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Industrial Technology, Construction Management, or another relevant technical discipline preferred; equivalent military technical training and/or substantial directly relevant industry experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Advanced proficiency with digital learning content creation authoring tools:
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Articulate 360, Rise and Storyline
• Scribe
• Technical writing, safety, reliability, project-management, data-center, electrical, HVAC, water-treatment, controls, or other relevant professional certifications.
• Experience leading technical trainers, instructors, technicians, or other technical personnel and/or supporting multi-site or regional technical operations.
• Experience developing instructor-led, OJT, self-study, web-based, simulation, drill, and hands-on laboratory training for technical personnel.
• Experience creating technical curriculum from engineering documentation, equipment manuals, drawings, procedures, and site observations.
• Experience developing formal operator or technician qualification programs, Qual Cards, technical certification pathways, or requalification programs.
• Experience using operational data—including alarms, incidents, work orders, maintenance findings, qualification results, and QA/QC observations—to identify training needs.
• Experience with BMS/BAS, EPMS, CMMS, work-order management, alarm-management, or other mission-critical operational platforms.
• Hands-on experience using ServiceNow (SNOW) within a data center, facilities, maintenance, engineering, construction, or technical-operations environment.
• Direct experience in data center engineering, critical facilities operations, commissioning, maintenance, or technical training.
SUCCESS PROFILE:
Within the first year, the Operations Training Manager will have developed a strong understanding of Aligned’s electrical, mechanical, BMS/controls, water-treatment, ServiceNow, maintenance, and procedural operating model; established credibility with Operations and Engineering teams; identified critical technical knowledge and qualification gaps; improved and standardized Operations onboarding and Qual Card readiness; and begun implementing scalable technical training and qualification pathways across assigned sites.
Success will ultimately be measured not by the number of courses produced, but by improvements in operator readiness, qualification, safe work execution, system knowledge, procedure compliance, maintenance and troubleshooting capability, incident response, and operational consistency.
COMPETENCIES:
• Adaptability - Adapts to changes and competing demands.
• Analytical - Synthesizes complex information and designs effective workflows and procedures.
• Leadership - Builds credibility, influences others, develops people, and inspires high performance.
• Training Facilitation - Confidently leads engaging live and virtual instructor-led sessions and regional calls, adapts delivery to technical audiences, encourages participation, checks understanding, and maintains a clear, professional learning environment.
• Problem Solving - Resolves problems using sound analysis, methodical approach, technical judgment, and collaborative solutions.
• Project Management - Develops plans, coordinates projects, communicates progress, and delivers quality results on schedule.
• Safety and Security - Observes and reinforces safety/security procedures and appropriately addresses unsafe conditions.
• Teamwork - Builds strong partnerships across Operations, Engineering, Safety, Construction, Commissioning, and other functions.
• Technical Skills - Continuously builds technical knowledge, recognizes knowledge gaps, and shares expertise with others.
• Written Communication - Writes clearly and accurately, edits technical content effectively with attention to detail, and interprets complex written information.
BENEFITS & PERKS:
Aligned Data Centers is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package to support the health, well-being, and financial security of our team members. Eligible employees have access to:
• Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts: HSA with employer contribution for eligible participants; health and dependent care FSA options
• Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with company match
• Paid Time Off and Holiday Pay
• Company-Sponsored Insurance: Short-Term Disability, Life Insurance, and Long-Term Disability (with medical election)
• Optional Benefits: Voluntary life, critical illness, legal, and additional disability coverage
• Wellness Programs: Employee assistance program (EAP), Wellhub gym membership, and other wellness initiatives
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
• Frequently required to stand and walk while working in data center and training environments.
• Frequently required to sit and continually required to utilize hand and finger dexterity.
• Occasionally required to climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel, or crawl.
• Continually required to talk or hear.
• May work near moving mechanical parts and electrical equipment.
• May be exposed to wet/humid conditions, temperature extremes, elevated noise levels, and other conditions typical of active data center environments.
• Must comply with applicable site safety requirements and use required personal protective equipment.
The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Aligned Data Centers is an equal opportunity employer that embraces diversity and is committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. Equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs.