Data Center Operations Engineer II

About Kirkland & Ellis

At Kirkland & Ellis, we don't just meet the standard for legal excellence - we set it. Our culture is built on teamwork, ingenuity and an unwavering commitment to continuous growth. We tackle the most sophisticated legal challenges with bold ideas and innovative solutions, powered by the exceptional experience and ambition of our 7,000+ people, including 4,000+ attorneys, across 22 offices worldwide. Our dedicated professionals share our lawyers' commitment to excellence and show up each day to do meaningful work that helps drive global business, investment and innovation forward.

What You'll Do

Are you passionate about the reliability and performance of critical infrastructure systems? Join our engineering team as a Data Center Operations Engineer II, where you'll help ensure 24/7/365 operational coverage across Kirkland's enterprise data centers, server rooms, network telecommunications rooms (TTRs), and associated mechanical systems. This role is embedded within a layered, collaborative team structure designed for redundancy and knowledge sharing. Your work will directly support the stability, efficiency, and safety of the firm's IT infrastructure-keeping our operations running seamlessly around the clock.

• Maintain and Monitor Critical Infrastructure
  Execute scheduled preventive maintenance for UPS, HVAC, and fire systems while performing daily operational checks and equipment calibration.
• Respond to and Resolve System Alerts
  Proactively monitor power, cooling, and connectivity systems; respond quickly to incidents and perform root-cause analysis to minimize downtime.
• Manage Vendor Access and Compliance
  Oversee vendor activity and service contracts related to electrical, HVAC, and generator systems, ensuring alignment with safety protocols and service level agreements (SLAs).
• Document Systems and Processes
  Maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs), incident and access logs, and inventories of equipment and components across all data center sites.
• Collaborate Across Departments
  Partner with IT, Real Estate, and local facilities teams on deployments, maintenance projects, and building-level infrastructure changes.
• Support Disaster Recovery and On-Call Rotation
  Participate in an on-call schedule, assist with site failovers and building shutdown/start-ups, and contribute to disaster recovery planning and infrastructure optimization.

What You'll Bring

• Educational Background
  Bachelor's degree in a related field preferred-or equivalent experience in data center operations.
• Professional Experience
  Minimum 2-3 years of hands-on experience in enterprise data center environments.
• Infrastructure Expertise
  Strong mechanical background with knowledge of computer room air conditioning (CRAC), uninterruptible power supply (UPS), electrical systems, and fire suppression technologies.
• Hands-On Technical Skills
  Proficiency in hardware installation and configuration (rack, stack, cabling), alert interpretation, and proactive issue resolution.
• Systems & Asset Management
  Experience supporting mechanical infrastructure, managing data center assets, and interpreting complex electrical/mechanical configurations.
• Schedule Flexibility
  Willingness and availability to work nights, weekends, holidays, and participate in a rotating 24x7 on-call schedule.

Compensation

The base salary range below represents the low and high end of the salary range for this position in Chicago. This range may differ based on your geographic location and cost of living considerations. At Kirkland & Ellis, we consider compensation more than just a base salary. We offer an exceptional range of flexible benefits including comprehensive healthcare, paid time off, and retirement. We also offer personal support and tailored learning and development opportunities all designed to help you realize your full potential both in life and at work.

Compensation Range:

Chicago: $107,000 - $117,000

How to Apply

Thank you for your interest in Kirkland & Ellis LLP. To complete an application and submit your resume, please click "Apply Now."

Don't meet every job requirement? That's okay! If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't perfectly fit every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right person for this role or others at Kirkland.

Equal Employment Opportunity

All employment decisions, including the recruiting, hiring, placement, training availability, promotion, compensation, evaluation, disciplinary actions, and termination of employment (if necessary) are made without regard to the employee's race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy or childbirth, personal appearance, family responsibilities, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, political affiliation, source of income, place of residence, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, physical or mental disability, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.