About Nordscale
Nordscale is the specialist operator for mission-critical AI data centers. We manage the operations that keep AI compute sites running reliably, efficiently, and safely. Founded as a strategic partnership between the AI hyperscaler Nscale and Norwegian energy company Nordkraft, we harness local expertise and data center operations experience to deliver service excellence to our customers, while building skilled local jobs and partnering with Norwegian businesses to create lasting value in the regions where we work.
Our culture combines local Northern Norwegian values, international expertise, and disciplined operational excellence. We’re a team built on trust, ownership, and collaboration: we communicate openly, take accountability for outcomes, and work as one team across sites, partners, and functions to deliver performance people can depend on.
About the Role (Job Purpose)
As Facility Technical Senior Manager, you will lead the technical MEP unit at Kvandal South outside Narvik, one of the largest AI data-centre projects in Europe. You will be central in building the unit ahead of the start of operations. You will make sure the facility’s electrical, mechanical, cooling, automation and cabling infrastructure is operated, maintained and developed safely and reliably.
You will report to the Facility Director and lead through an Associate Facility Technical Manager, shift managers, a project manager, technical specialists and operational support functions. Additionally, you will hold technical authority within the unit.
What You’ll be Doing (Responsibilities)
- Recruit and build the unit. Establish a structured training programme and knowledge transfer to the full technical operations team.
- Lead technical operations around the clock, ensure adequate staffing and the right mix of competencies across all shifts to support 24/7 operations.
- Manage preventive and corrective maintenance, and lead the technical response and fault-finding during critical incidents.
- Participate in testing, commissioning and handover of technical installations together with Nscale. Lead the development and implementation of technical operating procedures (SOP/MOP/EOP) and governance structures, and establish technical supplier agreements.
- Ensure safe working methods and full HSE compliance, and manage technical suppliers and contractors on quality, documentation, performance and cost.
About You (Skills, Qualifications & Experience)
You may come from data centres, hyperscale or HPC facilities. You may also come from technical or production leadership in continuous process industry, metallurgy, pulp and paper, power generation, offshore, maritime operations or technical defence environments. A career path from an electrical, automation or mechanical specialist role into technical or maintenance leadership is particularly valuable.
You enjoy developing people, share knowledge patiently and build ownership of procedures. You drive continuous improvement through structured processes, not by departing from them.
Key Characteristics
- Structured and systematic, thriving where structures, roles and requirements are clearly defined.
- Acts in compliance with procedures, standards and regulatory requirements, and holds others to the same standard.
- Resilient under pressure, building relationships of trust and finding pragmatic, holistic solutions.
Skills & Qualifications
- Solid experience leading the operation and maintenance of complex electrical, mechanical and cooling infrastructure, with the technical depth to challenge specialists and suppliers.
- Experience leading and developing multidisciplinary technical teams, preferably with both day and shift teams.
- Experience with procedures, work permits, safe isolation, change management and supplier management. Experience from testing, commissioning and handover is an advantage.
- Fluent English and a Scandinavian language, written and spoken. A degree in electrical, mechanical or automation engineering, or equivalent documented engineering background, is preferred.
What We Can Offer You
- Competitive salary negotiable based on experience.
- Performance-based bonus tied to results and company performance.
- The chance to build the technical organisation, procedures and training from the ground up, and to bring Kvandal South’s technical systems into operation in 2027.
- Relocation support assessed individually, if required.
Equal Opportunities Statement
We are committed to fostering an inclusive, diverse, and equitable workplace. We believe that a variety of perspectives enriches our work environment, and we encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, experiences, and abilities. We strongly encourage applications from people of colour, the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, neurodivergent people, parents, carers, and people from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
If there’s anything we can do to accommodate your specific situation, please let us know.