Data Center Chief Engineer

Description

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 planned preventative maintenance of equipment, daily corrective work, and emergency response. The CE serves as an expert technical resource 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 AWS.

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 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.

NOTE: PDX is an AWS GovCloud region. As required by our contracts with the federal government, effective February 24, 2026, 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).

NOTE: Relocation assistance will be provided to eligible candidates who relocate for this position.

Key job responsibilities
Act as the primary escalation point for all facilities-related issues. Oversee operation and management of routine and emergency services on a variety of critical systems such as switchgear, generators, UPS systems, power distribution equipment, chillers, cooling towers, computer room air handlers, building monitoring systems, etc.

Perform root cause analysis of equipment failures and troubleshooting of facility within internal Service Level Agreements (SLA).

Provide training and guidance to Engineering Operations Technicians and are responsible for working with Facility Manager (FM) to set team culture.

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

May assist in the building out of new facilities and assist in projects to increase current facility efficiency

Working outside of normal business hours for routine maintenance as required, including responding to out-of-hours emergency calls.

Communicate complex technical information to a non-technical audience.

Work with IT managers and other business leaders to coordinate projects, manage capacity, and optimize plant safety, performance, reliability and efficiency

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

Establish building performance benchmarks, conduct analyses, and prepare reports on all aspects of the critical facility of operations and maintenance.

Utilize Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook and other basic administrative tools to perform day-to-day tasks



Physical Requirements:

Willingness and demonstrated ability to work in the following physical conditions with reasonable accommodation:

Regularly lift and/or move up to 39 pounds independently

Participate in group lifts for 40+ pounds

Maintain balance and perform construction tasks while on a ladder

Regularly walk, use hands and fingers, handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, climb stairs, twist, bend, work above shoulders, grasp, carry, push and pull objects into position

Work in an environment requiring provided ear protection



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.

A day in the life
This role acts as Amazon’s front line when it comes to hands-on electrical and mechanical equipment troubleshooting. They maintain, operate, and troubleshoot mission-critical data center facility equipment including electrical support equipment that supports servers that must maintain better than 99.999% uptime. Equipment will include but is not limited to stand-by diesel generators and related fuel systems, 3 phase electrical systems such as switchgear, UPS units, PDUs, and wet cell batteries and associated systems. Mechanical equipment includes CRAHU units, centrifugal chillers, cooling towers, water systems, air handlers and associated systems, pumps, and motors. Additional support equipment is included in the scope of the role which includes fire/life safety equipment, building automation systems, and general facilities equipment.

The CE directs, trains and supports technicians 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. They manage projects from conception to completion. These projects involve 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 on key milestones, obtaining and tracking quotes for all necessary costs, and documenting project results for future implementation at other facilities.

About the team
Why AWS
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform. We pioneered cloud computing and never stopped innovating — that’s why customers from the most successful startups to Global 500 companies trust our robust suite of products and services to power their businesses.

Diverse Experiences
AWS values diverse experiences. Even if you do not meet all of the preferred qualifications and skills listed in the job description, we encourage candidates to apply. If your career is just starting, hasn’t followed a traditional path, or includes alternative experiences, don’t let it stop you from applying.


Inclusive Team Culture
AWS values curiosity and connection. Our employee-led and company-sponsored affinity groups promote inclusion and empower our people to take pride in what makes us unique. Our inclusion events foster stronger, more collaborative teams. Our continual innovation is fueled by the bold ideas, fresh perspectives, and passionate voices our teams bring to everything we do.

Mentorship and Career Growth
We’re continuously raising our performance bar as we strive to become Earth’s Best Employer. That’s why you’ll find endless knowledge-sharing, mentorship and other career-advancing resources here to help you develop into a better-rounded professional.

Basic Qualifications

- 3+ years of Microsoft Office including Outlook, Word, and Excel experience
- Experience reading and writing procedures, technical documents, and engineering drawings
- 3+ years of electrical and mechanical facilities maintenance experience — OR — 3+ years of electrical facilities maintenance experience and 2+ year of mechanical facilities maintenance experience

Preferred Qualifications

- Experience in data center engineering or operations
- Experience in construction or project management
- Experience leading technical teams through daily operations and maintenance evolutions
- Can work in cramped spaces or in elevated locations while adhering to health & safety guidelines

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.