Manager – Chief Engineer

About Vantage Data Centers

Vantage is committed to being a workplace of inclusion, equity, respect and acceptance. We celebrate diversity and intentionally seek out opportunities to learn from one another’s experience.

Vantage Data Centers powers, cools, protects and connects the technology of the world’s well-known hyperscalers, cloud providers and large enterprises. Developing and operating across North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific, Vantage has evolved data center design in innovative ways to deliver dramatic gains in reliability, efficiency and sustainability in flexible environments that can scale as quickly as the market demands.

Site Operations Department

The Site Operations Department is responsible for the overall health of all mechanical and electrical systems, building maintenance, and performance of all data modules in our data centers. The team is staffed 24 x 7 onsite with Critical Facility Engineers (CFEs) on each shift. 

This team is the face of Vantage to our customers and the first line of defense regarding the uptime of our campus as well as the performance of our customer installations. Using a Critical Maintenance Management System (CMMS) to plan and track work needed, the Site Operations department performs all preventative and corrective maintenance. 

Our culture expects and rewards team performance that engages directly with the customers and the facility infrastructure. This is a team that does most of the actual work versus calling upon vendors. As a result, we provide superior service that is faster and more cost effective.

Position Overview

This role is based on-site at our Quincy, WA location.

Manager, Chief Engineer will be responsible for continued and uninterrupted operation of raised floor 24-7-365 in a large Tier III data center campus to include all equipment and spaces up to the PDU at the customer level. The Chief Engineer will manage scheduled and corrective maintenance, system repairs, testing, equipment commissioning and all critical facility start up and continuing operations.

The Manager, Chief Engineer will manage and lead a team of Senior Level Specialists (Electrical and Mechanical) and Facility Technicians, as well as all contracted maintenance and repair teams working onsite in the facility. The Chief Engineer is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of these employees, and will report directly to the Director of Operations and coordinate activities with the Director of Engineering. 

Essential Job Functions

• Oversee and supervise the efficient 24/7/365 operation of the facility equipment and systems.

• Strive toward a goal of zero down-time in operations by virtue of reliable system performance.

• Extensive customer service focus and interaction: evaluate all equipment and system operations, to include providing customers with engineering analysis, recommendations for improvement and energy efficiency methods.

• Leadership and management of all assigned personnel, to include developing/conducting performance appraisals, training plans, counseling and mentoring.

• Coordination, oversight and quality assurance supervision of maintenance and service repairs on all critical facility and building engineering systems to include (but not limited to); electrical distribution (12kv and lower), emergency diesel generators, UPS/Battery back-up systems, heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems (Chillers, CRACs, Cooling Towers, Package Units, etc.), BMS infrastructure, fire prevention as well as other electro-mechanical and control equipment throughout the data center campus.

• Ensure all maintenance activities are performed in accordance with approved MOPs and the Vantage’s Mission Critical Facility work rules.

• Utilizes the current CMMS program to administer and refine an effective preventative maintenance plan tailored to the facility.

• Monitor and supervise subcontracted maintenance and repair projects, evaluating work performance and providing recommendations for utilizing in-house support whenever practical.

• Ensure that work responsibilities are allocated properly among subordinates by developing and implementing manpower schedules and work methods and procedures that are designed to obtain low cost and efficient operation.

• Establish performance standards for each phase of work, adhering to standard practices and quality levels.

• Coordinate the development, implementation and training of SOP/EOP/MOPs for equipment and systems throughout the data center campus. This includes existing/supported equipment and systems as well as developing technical documentation for new and/or unsupported equipment and systems.

• Run the site industrial safety program; assuring compliance with company policies, federal, state and local safety regulations.

• Manage the site Lock-out / Tag-out program, strictly adhering to OSHA regulations.

• Prepare operating and repair budgets, coordinating requirements with the Operations and Engineering Directors.

• Oversee the purchasing of parts, equipment, and services to support operations within budget. Ensure adequate spare parts are maintained to allow expeditious repairs.

• Establish and maintain periodic operational testing schedules for critical systems and equipment.

• Conduct oversight of system testing and quality assurance documentation after major system repairs and/or maintenance to ensure compliance with EPA/environmental guidelines as well as local and state regulations.

• Maintain and improve the site reliability program, identifying areas of concern that could develop into future problems.

• Develop and maintain the site training program for technicians and other staff personnel on facility equipment and systems.

• Perform other services determined necessary to maintain and operate all mission critical related infrastructure in an approved manner.

• Additional duties as assigned by Management

Job Requirements

• Minimum ten years of “hands on” maintenance/repair/installation/commissioning level experience in mission-critical facilities (mechanical and/or electrical), including experience with mission-critical infrastructure, or in a related industrial/engineering

• At least two years of leadership/management experience - proven experience in project management, meeting deadlines, directing a maintenance department, and managing and developing staff in mission-critical infrastructure environments.

• Possess complete understanding and working knowledge of 2N Data Center/Critical Facility infrastructure, systems, operations, maintenance and emergency responses.

• Strong Technical Writing skills and experience; as well as creating, coordinating, updating and/or modifying MOP/EOP/SOPs for critical facilities equipment, to include supporting new systems and researching technical requirements.

• Excellent customer service experience with the ability and desire to engage customers at the site to explain infrastructure or engineering related concepts, methods of improvement or explaining emergency procedures.

• Strong communication skills and the ability to maintain constant interaction with supervisors and managers, as well as technicians in order to maintain awareness of critical facility activities.

• Experience developing budgets, future plans, capital investments and repair projects with management and coordinating financial requests up to the CEO level as well as training subordinates to remain within budget.

• Must be open to long hours, weekend, rotating shifts, and subject to calls during hours away from plant (24/7).

• Potential managers must successfully complete a background check and drug screen.

Physical Demands and Special Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to stand 1/3 – 2/3 of the time

• Ability to walk 1/3 – 2/3 of the time

• Ability to sit 1/3 – 2/3 of the time

• Ability to climb and balance 1/3 – 2/3 of the time

• Ability to stoop, kneel, crouch and crawl 1/3 – 2/3 of the time

• Ability to reach with hands & arms 1/3 – 2/3 of the time

• Ability to smell, talk & hear

• Ability to use hands to type, handle & feel

• Ability to reach with hands and arms

• Ability to see at close and distance ranges and the ability to see color

• Must be comfortable working in a high stress, fast paced environment with shifting priorities

• Must be willing to work outside normal business hours, including weekends, late nights, holidays, and on-call support

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds 1/3 of the time

Additional Details:

• Salary Range: $125,000 - 135,000 Base + Bonus (this range is based on Quincy, WA market data and may vary in other locations)

• This position is eligible for company benefits including but not limited to medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and AD&D, short and long-term disability coverage, paid time off, employee assistance, participation in a 401k program that includes company match, and many other additional voluntary benefits.

• Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including your qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience and may fall outside of the range shown.

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We operate with No Ego and No Arrogance. We work to build each other up and support one another, appreciating each other’s strengths and respecting each other’s weaknesses. We find joy in our work and each other, actively seeking opportunities to inject fun into what we do. Our hard and efficient work is rewarded with an above market total compensation package. We offer a comprehensive suite of health and welfare, retirement, and paid leave benefits exceeding local expectations.

Throughout the year, the advantage of being part of the Vantage team is evident with an array of benefits, recognition, training and development, and the knowledge that your contribution adds value to the company and our community.

Don't meet all the requirements? Please still apply if you think you are the right person for the position. We are always keen to speak to people who connect with our mission and values.

Vantage Data Centers is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Vantage Data Centers does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firm agencies. Fees will not be paid in the event a candidate submitted by a recruiter without an agreement in place is hired; such resumes will be deemed the sole property of Vantage Data Centers.