Data Center Operation Engineer (Graduate Program)- London

Alibaba Cloud; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Alibaba Cloud in London seeks a Data Center Infrastructure Operations Engineer to drive standardized operational frameworks across hyperscale facilities, IT systems, and assets. You will lead efforts to improve efficiency and reliability of our IDC platforms.

The role requires a degree in engineering or IT, strong knowledge of electrical, HVAC, and building automation, and a collaborative mindset to work with internal and external partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical/Mechanical Engineering, IT or IT Infrastructure.
• Solid understanding of power distribution, electrical equipment, HVAC and building automation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Willingness to learn and develop expertise in data center operations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize standardized operating procedures, management frameworks, and best practices for hyperscale data center infrastructure operations.
• Drive the adoption of digitalization, automation, and intelligent operations management.
• Oversee the implementation of operational standards and performance targets related to on-site incident management, problem management, change management, risk management, maintenance activities, and cross-functional coordination.
• Collaborate closely with internal and external stakeholders to ensure effective communication and optimal resource utilization.
• Participate in planning, design, development, construction, and commissioning of hyperscale data center infrastructure, including power systems, buildings, electrical systems, HVAC systems, monitoring systems, networks, and server equipment.
• Stay current with industry trends and emerging technologies, and contribute to the continuous improvement of data center architecture and operational capabilities.
• Provide insights and recommendations to continuously improve the operational excellence, efficiency, and competitiveness of Alibaba’s IDC platform.

Skills

Learning agility

Communication skills

Ownership

Problem solving

Chinese language

Data analysis

Data mining

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical/Mechanical Engineering, IT or IT Infrastructure

Job description

As a Data Center Infrastructure Operations Engineer, you will support the operation and continuous improvement of Alibaba’s hyperscale data centers. This role focuses on establishing standardized operational frameworks and driving operational excellence across IT infrastructure, facilities, and assets.

Job Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize standardized operating procedures, management frameworks, and best practices for hyperscale data center infrastructure operations, covering facilities, IT systems, and assets.
• Drive the adoption of innovative approaches in digitalization, automation, and intelligent operations management.
• Oversee the implementation of operational standards and performance targets related to on-site incident management, problem management, change management, risk management, maintenance activities, and cross-functional coordination.
• Collaborate closely with internal and external stakeholders to ensure effective communication, cross-functional collaboration, and optimal resource utilization.
• Participate in the planning, design, development, construction, and commissioning of hyperscale data center infrastructure, including power systems, buildings, electrical systems, HVAC systems, monitoring systems, networks, and server equipment.
• Stay current with industry trends and emerging technologies, and contribute to the continuous improvement of data center architecture and operational capabilities to support Alibaba’s business ecosystem.
• Provide insights and recommendations to continuously improve the operational excellence, efficiency, and competitiveness of Alibaba’s IDC platform.

Job Requirements

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, Information Technology, IT Infrastructure, or a related field.
• A solid understanding of the fundamentals of power distribution systems, electrical equipment, HVAC systems, and building automation and control systems; or a strong foundation in computer hardware, software, and information technology, with knowledge of IT infrastructure and network architecture.

In Addition, You Should Have

• Strong learning agility, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to adapt quickly to a fast-changing environment.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with a strong sense of ownership and enthusiasm for learning and developing expertise in the field.
• The ability to think independently, solve problems effectively, and communicate key insights clearly.
• Bilingual or multilingual proficiency is preferred, with proficiency in Chinese considered a strong advantage.
• Knowledge or experience in data analysis and data mining is a plus.

Preferred Qualifications

• Internship or project experience in cloud computing, data centers, IT infrastructure, or related fields.
• Hands-on experience with AI tools, automation platforms, scripting, or related technologies is a plus.