Data Center Operations Engineer (DCOE) Italy

Data4 Group; Milano; Hybrid; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Data4 Group in Milano seeks a Data Center Operations Engineer to ensure safe, reliable operation of critical infrastructure (electrical, mechanical, cooling, fire protection). You will act as a key interface between internal teams, customers and service providers to ensure service continuity and safety.

Responsibilities include supervising maintenance, managing incidents and changes, coordinating with vendors, and producing operational reports and documentation while upholding safety

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in operations or critical facilities.
• Experience with data center or industrial environments is a plus.
• Proficient in incident management and RCA.
• Knowledge of safety standards and LOTO.
• Experience working with external vendors.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the continuous operation of critical infrastructure (electrical, mechanical, cooling, fire protection, low current systems).
• Monitor infrastructure performance using BMS and monitoring tools.
• Supports, validates, follows-up and manage preventive and corrective maintenance activities
• Ensure compliance with design standards, operational procedures, and safety requirements
• Participate in commissioning, testing, and handover activities when applicable
• Own the incident management lifecycle: detection, assessment, escalation, resolution, and closure
• Coordinate and contribute to root cause analysis (RCA) and define corrective and preventive actions
• Track and ensure completion of action plans related to incidents and risks
• Participate in and support incident simulation drills and crisis scenarios
• Plan, review, and supervise maintenance schedules and interventions
• Ensure proper execution of change management processes, minimizing operational risks
• Use maintenance management tools (CMMS or equivalent) to track activities, performance, and compliance
• Ensure all activities are properly documented and aligned with procedures
• Manage technical service providers on-site (multi-technical, maintenance, specialized vendors)
• Monitor vendor performance against SLAs, KPIs, and contractual obligations
• Lead performance reviews, issue escalation, and continuous improvement actions
• Ensure vendors comply with health & safety, operational, and quality standards
• Act as a technical point of contact for customers during maintenance operations and incidents
• Support customer audits, certifications, and reporting needs
• Participate in contractual and operational meetings with customers
• Ensure clear and timely communication on incidents, maintenance, and risks
• Produce and review operational and monthly reports
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date technical documentation (procedures, reports, asset data)
• Ensure proper documentation of incidents, changes, and maintenance activities
• Ensure strict application of DATA4 Health & Safety rules by all third‑party companies operating on site
• Verify compliance with safety procedures, work permits (PTW), LOTO, and site‑specific HSE requirements
• Identify and manage co‑activities risks within the area of responsibility, especially during planning and scheduling of maintenance works and projects
• Coordinate with relevant stakeholders to prevent conflicts between simultaneous activities and ensure safe execution conditions
• Conduct regular safety inspections and audits of ongoing works and contractor activities
• Report unsafe situations, near misses, and deviations, ensuring immediate corrective actions
• Actively participate in the investigation and root cause analysis (RCA) of incidents occurring within the scope of responsibility
• Contribute to continuous improvement of safety practices and promote a strong safety culture on site

Skills

Electrical systems

Mechanical systems

Safety procedures

BMS monitoring

Incident management

Root cause analysis

Vendor coordination

Communication skills

English proficiency

Education

Degree in electrical, mechanical, or related technical field

Tools

BMS

Job description

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Data Center Operations Engineer (DCOE) is responsible for the safe, reliable and efficient operation of critical data center infrastructure.

The role ensures service continuity, operational excellence, and compliance with technical, safety and contractual requirements, through the management of maintenance activities, incidents, changes, and technical vendors.

The Data Center Operations Engineer (DCOE) operates with autonomy on day-to-day operations, acting as a key interface between internal teams, customers, and service providers.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical Operations

• Ensure the continuous operation of critical infrastructure (electrical, mechanical, cooling, fire protection, low current systems)
• Monitor infrastructure performance using BMS and monitoring tools
• Supports, validates, follows-up and manage preventive and corrective maintenance activities
• Ensure compliance with design standards, operational procedures, and safety requirements
• Participate in commissioning, testing, and handover activities when applicable

Incident & Problem Management

• Own the incident management lifecycle: detection, assessment, escalation, resolution, and closure

• Coordinate and contribute to root cause analysis (RCA) and define corrective and preventive actions
• Track and ensure completion of action plans related to incidents and risks
• Participate in and support incident simulation drills and crisis scenarios

Change & Maintenance Management

• Plan, review, and supervise maintenance schedules and interventions
• Ensure proper execution of change management processes, minimizing operational risks
• Use maintenance management tools (CMMS or equivalent) to track activities, performance, and compliance
• Ensure all activities are properly documented and aligned with procedures

Vendor & Contract Management

• Manage technical service providers on-site (multi-technical, maintenance, specialized vendors)
• Monitor vendor performance against SLAs, KPIs, and contractual obligations
• Lead performance reviews, issue escalation, and continuous improvement actions
• Ensure vendors comply with health & safety, operational, and quality standards

Customer & Stakeholder Interface

• Act as a technical point of contact for customers during maintenance operations and incidents
• Support customer audits, certifications, and reporting needs
• Participate in contractual and operational meetings with customers
• Ensure clear and timely communication on incidents, maintenance, and risks

Reporting & Documentation

• Produce and review operational and monthly reports
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date technical documentation (procedures, reports, asset data)
• Ensure proper documentation of incidents, changes, and maintenance activities

Safety

• Ensure strict application of DATA4 Health & Safety rules by all third‑party companies operating on site (contractors, vendors, service providers)
• Verify compliance with safety procedures, work permits (PTW), LOTO, and site‑specific HSE requirements before and during interventions
• Identify and manage co‑activities risks within the area of responsibility, especially during planning and scheduling of maintenance works and projects
• Coordinate with relevant stakeholders to prevent conflicts between simultaneous activities and ensure safe execution conditions
• Conduct regular safety inspections and audits of ongoing works and contractor activities
• Report unsafe situations, near misses, and deviations, ensuring immediate corrective actions
• Actively participate in the investigation and root cause analysis (RCA) of incidents occurring within the scope of responsibility
• Contribute to continuous improvement of safety practices and promote a strong safety culture on site

REQUIREMENTS

Education and experience

• Degree in electrical, mechanical, or related technical field (or equivalent experience)
• Minimum 5 years of experience in operations, critical facilities, or industrial environments (data center experience is a plus)
• Experience in maintenance, incident management, or technical operations roles
• Experience working with external vendors or service providers
• Professional working proficiency in English

Technical skills

• Solid understanding of electrical (HV/LV), mechanical/cooling, and fire safety systems in operational environments, with hands‑on exposure to maintenance, troubleshooting, and safety practices (e.g. LOTO, redundancy, critical systems)
• Experience using monitoring tools (BMS or equivalent) to track performance, alarms, and system status
• Proven experience in incident management and root cause analysis (RCA), with a structured and rigorous approach
• Experience planning and overseeing maintenance activities, with attention to quality, safety, and documentation
• Exposure to change management and SLA-driven environments, with ability to monitor performance and ensure compliance
• Experience working with technical service providers, with ability to coordinate, elevate, and drive resolution
• Strong communication skills, able to interact effectively with technical teams, vendors, and customers

Soft skills

• Strong sense of ownership and responsibility in operational environments
• Structured, rigorous, and detail‑oriented approach
• Ability to prioritize and make decisions under pressure
• Effective collaboration with cross‑functional teams and partners
• Customer-oriented mindset with awareness of business impact of operations