Data Center Chief Engineer

Join our dynamic Data Center Engineering Operations Team and become a critical architect of the infrastructure that powers global cloud computing. You'll play a pivotal role in maintaining the heartbeat of Amazon Web Services' physical infrastructure, ensuring seamless operations that support millions of customers worldwide.

The Data Center Chief Engineer (CE) is responsible for ensuring that all electrical, mechanical, and fire/life safety equipment within the data center is operating at peak efficiency. This involves both planned preventative maintenance of equipment, daily corrective work, and emergency response to emergent issues. The CE serves as an expert technical resource reporting to a site’s Data Center Facility Manager, interacting with onsite Engineering Operations Technicians (EOT) and any third-party vendors. They are expected to be a singular focal point for all facility operations within a given data center and to support Amazon within its owned and operated data centers. Data center equipment that supports mission-critical servers must maintain better than 99.999% uptime.

Chief Engineer will be responsible for managing small-to-medium large impact projects from conception to completion. These projects can involve large amounts of independent work as well as collaboration with external support groups including engineering, automation, processing, and finance in both local and global settings. The CE will be tasked with creating and delivering milestones, obtaining and tracking quotes for all necessary costs, and documenting project results for future implementation at other facilities. The goals of such projects are for the CE to drive innovation and resiliency while reducing operational costs in the facilities.

The Chief Engineer directs, trains and supports EOT’s in their role of providing hands-on electrical and mechanical equipment troubleshooting and operations. Implementation and execution of site/equipment-specific training exercises is also expected. This equipment includes, but is not limited to, stand-by diesel generators, switchgear, UPS’s, PDU’s, AHU’s, chillers, cooling towers, chemical treatment systems, pumps, motors, VFD’s, and building automation systems.



AWS Infrastructure Services owns the design, planning, delivery, and operation of all AWS global infrastructure. In other words, we’re the people who keep the cloud running. We support all AWS data centers and all of the servers, storage, networking, power, and cooling equipment that ensure our customers have continual access to the innovation they rely on. We work on the most challenging problems, with thousands of variables impacting the supply chain — and we’re looking for talented people who want to help.

You’ll join a diverse team of software, hardware, and network engineers, supply chain specialists, security experts, operations managers, and other vital roles. You’ll collaborate with people across AWS to help us deliver the highest standards for safety and security while providing seemingly infinite capacity at the lowest possible cost for our customers. And you’ll experience an inclusive culture that welcomes bold ideas and empowers you to own them to completion.

Effective May 15, 2017, logical access to the AWS GovCloud region will be restricted to Amazon employees who are U.S. Citizens. (GovCloud may NOT be accessed from outside of the United States)

Key job responsibilities
Oversee the day-to-day operations and maintenance of mechanical and electrical equipment in a data center.

Operate independently with limited direct management

Act as an escalation point for all facilities-related issues within the data center, escalating to the Data Center Facility Manager as needed

Perform root cause analysis of equipment failures

Troubleshoot and report of facility and data sever-level events within internal SLA

Create and deploy new standard practices for Engineering Operations Technicians, Chief Engineers, and vendor support teams

Provide training and guidance to Engineering Operations Technicians

Ensure all safety procedures are adhered to by vendor and Amazon staff

Ensure all security procedures are adhered to by vendor and Amazon staff

Utilize internal CMMS to manage building workflows

Communicate complex technical information to a non-technical audience

Using Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Excel, PPT, Word) and other computer programs such as PDF, QUIP, and other dashboards and scheduling tooling.

Instruct others on scheduling, ticketing, and providing mentorship in developing solutions.



Physical Requirements:

Walk job sites in uneven terrain

Work at heights and from ladders

Regularly lift and/or move up to 39 pounds; and participate in group lifts for 40 pounds or more

Coordinate body movements when using tools or equipment

Reach and stretch to position equipment and fixtures while maintaining balance

Bend or twist the body into unusual positions while working

Perform physical tasks all day without becoming overly tired

Use hands to manipulate small wires and objects

Push or pull heavy objects into position

Work in a noisy environment

Work at depths, such as under raised floors



This role supports data centers in various operational stages. The position may be assigned to a facility still under development, which could require travel to established locations for training until your designated site becomes fully operational.

Essential Requirements:

Ability to travel to or commute between data center locations as needed

Willingness to temporarily work at alternative sites during training periods or until assigned facility is operational

Travel frequency will vary based on business needs and operational status of assigned facility

Candidates must be able to travel (over 50 miles) or commute (less than 50 miles) to active data center sites as required by business needs.

Basic Qualifications

- 4+ years of data center engineering experience
- Experience reading and writing procedures, technical documents, and engineering drawings
- 3+ years of administrative experience including Microsoft Office products experience
- Experience leading technical teams through daily operations and maintenance evolutions, or experience in project management

Preferred Qualifications

- Associate's degree in related field, or High School CTE in Mechatronics
- Experience in construction or project management
- Lean, Six Sigma, CPHQ, PMP, or related certification
- Experience in a training role, including technical training
- Can work in an environment that involves walking, stooping, bending, and climbing to access equipment

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.

Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.

The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.

USA, VA, Herndon - 111,300.00 - 186,100.00 USD annually