Operations Engineer - Mechanical

Khazna Data Centers; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Khazna Data Centers in Abu Dhabi is seeking an Operations Engineer to ensure efficient operation and maintenance of data center facilities, with primary focus on HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and building fabric. You will monitor utilities, coordinate preventive maintenance, and support incident response.

The role requires strong problem-solving, safety mindset, and ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or HND in engineering (or equivalent).
• Intermediate certifications in O&M management or related fields.
• CDCP or CDCS certifications are preferred.
• 2–5 years of relevant experience in data center or mission-critical facilities.
• Proficient in HVAC, electrical systems, plumbing, and building maintenance.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and monitor data center operations to ensure uptime.
• Coordinate with vendors and contractors for maintenance and repairs.
• Oversee routine and preventive maintenance activities.
• Assist in incident response and escalation during on-site incidents.
• Ensure compliance with safety, QHSE, and environmental policies.

Skills

Problem-Solving

Communication (English)

Teamwork

Adaptability

Attention to Detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Higher National Diploma in Engineering

Tools

BMS

CAFM/CMMS platforms

HVAC systems

Job description

Khazna was founded in 2012 and has grown rapidly into becoming the leading and trusted wholesale Data Center provider in the Middle East and North Africa region. Through our Data Centers, we provide industry benchmark levels of power supply and cooling services to better serve the growing need for data center operations in the UAE and wider region.

We are seeking an Operations Engineer (OE) who is responsible for the efficient operation and maintenance of data center facilities. This role ensures compliance with QHSE standards, manages hard services, coordinates soft services, and oversees specialist services and vendor management. The OE shall display excellent problem-solving skills, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Key Accountabilities:

• Adherence to Policies: Comply with all relevant Khazna safety, quality, and environmental management policies, procedures, and controls to ensure a healthy and safe work environment for all occupants and self.
• Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) adapted to the work environment and activity conducted at all times.
• Work Environment Safety: Ensure a safe and healthy work environment for all staff and visitors to the data center at all times.
• Policy Enforcement: Enforce health and safety policies in accordance with local and international regulations and laws.
• Audits and Risk Assessments: Conduct regular health and safety audits and risk assessments.
• Immediately stop any works that are considered unsafe and inform management by issuing a “Stop Works Notice.”
• Incident Reporting: Report any safety observations or near misses promptly and respond to and investigate health and safety incidents.
• Equipment Maintenance: Ensure all data center facility equipment and machinery are properly maintained and safe to use.
• Sustainability Compliance: Ensure compliance with Khazna’s sustainability strategies and action plans.
• Environmental Regulations: Ensure compliance with environmental regulations and best practices.
• Utilities Monitoring: Monitor and record utilities usage and waste to ensure efficient resource management.
• Accountable for HVAC, electrical systems, plumbing, and building fabric maintenance
• Shift Operations Oversight: Oversee the shift operations of the data center facility, ensuring all systems and processes are functioning efficiently. Escalate high-risk situations to Senior Engineers.
• Vendor Coordination: Coordinate with vendors to ensure maintenance activities are carried out in accordance with Khazna’s standard procedures and policies, maintaining high standards of service.
• Work Order Approval: Support the work order approval process for specialist third-party vendors on routine maintenance work. This includes tracking the entire process: briefing at the start of work, monitoring progress during the workday/shift, and conducting a final review of the work carried out.
• Permit Issuance: Assist in issuing permits to work for third-party vendors, ensuring all necessary permissions are in place for safe and compliant operations.
• Troubleshooting and Maintenance: Follow established procedures for troubleshooting and maintaining data center equipment, ensuring minimal disruption to operations. Oversee more complex troubleshooting and maintenance tasks.
• Incident Response Support: Assist senior staff with responding to on-site incidents, acting promptly and as directed to mitigate issues.
• NOC/BMS Coordination: Coordinate and liaise with the NOC/BMS Operators, ensuring prompt response to alerts and alarms in accordance with facility standard operating procedures, communication processes, and emergency response plans.
• Infrastructure Reliability: Ensure the data center’s infrastructure is consistently up and running, minimizing downtime and ensuring optimal performance through proactive management.
• Documentation Maintenance: Maintain accurate, up-to-date documentation of data center operations, including system performance data, incident reports, and change management records, to ensure transparency and accountability.
• Planned Maintenance Support: Assist in preparing and carrying out planned maintenance activities without disrupting data center operations, ensuring minimal downtime.
• Preventative Inspections: Assist in preparing and conduct regular preventative inspections and technical rounds for various non-critical data center facility components to ensure optimal performance.
• Annual Technical Checks: Collaborate with OE L1 to perform yearly assessments for technical or recurring issues, defining root causes, mitigating risks, and implementing effective solutions. Collaborate for mor complex issues with Senior Operations Engineers for in-depth analysis.
• Routine Repairs and Maintenance: Perform and oversee routine repairs, maintenance, and installations on non-critical and provide support (under the guidance of senior staff) for critical data center facility components, ensuring they are in good working order.
• Physical Security Protocols: Maintain physical security protocols to safeguard the data center and its assets.
• Vendor and Contractor Coordination: Coordinate with vendors and contractors for equipment installation, maintenance, and repair, ensuring all activities are completed to standard.
• Support the preparing and implementation of data center run book and play books.
• Support the preparing and implementation of data center drills, ERP and BCP scripts for routine activities.
• Responsible to ensure proper incident detection, logging, crisis management, resolution during the shift.
• Incident Response and Problem Resolution: Respond to all on-site incidents, act as required to resolve problems and provide necessary client support and timely communication during an incident.
• Take a lead role in incident response and resolution, seek assistance from senior engineering staff for complex or critical events.
• Crisis Management Support: Assist in overseeing the crisis management plan, including conducting related tests and implementing necessary measures.
• Disaster Recovery Coordination: Coordinate and oversee disaster recovery solutions and backup procedures to ensure data integrity and business continuity.
• Incident Response Assistance: Assist escalation level staff with responding to all on-site incidents, acting promptly and as directed to mitigate issues.
• Audit Assistance: Participate in audits to assess service continuity, assisting in risk assessments and proposing improvements. Senior Engineers will provide final reviews and approvals for audit outcomes and risk mitigation strategies.
• Departmental Collaboration: Effectively collaborate within the department, providing valuable input to peers for general maintenance activities to ensure seamless operations.
• Design and Construction Coordination: Coordinate with design and construction teams to ensure consistency and effectiveness in implementing facility upgrades and modifications.
• Adherence to Policies and Procedures: Follow all relevant corporate & departmental policies, processes, standard operating procedures, and instructions to ensure that work is carried out in a controlled and consistent manner.
• Continuous Improvement and Sustainability: Contribute to the identification of opportunities for continuous improvement, reliability and sustainability of systems, processes, and practices, considering global standards, productivity improvement, and cost reduction.
• Report Preparation: Assist and supports the Senior Operations Engineer in the preparation of timely and accurate statements and reports to meet departmental requirements, policies, and quality standards. Ensure comprehensive documentation and reporting.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Higher National Diploma in Engineering (3 years) or equivalent.
• Intermediate certifications in O&M management or related fields.
• Certifications such as Certified Data Centre Professional (CDCP) or Certified Data Centre Specialist (CDCS).
• 2 - 5 years of relevant experience
• Proven experience in data center operations and management or mission-critical facilities (preferred)
• Technical Skills: Proficient in HVAC, electrical systems, plumbing, and building maintenance.
• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Communication: Excellent in English, good verbal and written communication skills.
• Teamwork: Ability to lead and work effectively in a team environment.
• Adaptability: Ability to manage changing priorities and complex tasks.
• Attention to Detail: High attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Knowledge of critical infrastructure equipment and tools such as UPS, generators, BMS (Building Management System), chillers and FLS (Fire Life Safety System).
• Experience with various CAFM/CMMS platforms.
• Ability to coordinate and plan complex maintenance activities.
• Knowledge of data center standards and regulations (preferred).