Assistant Chief Engineer

cw; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Cushman & Wakefield is seeking an Assistant Chief Engineer to oversee day-to-day operations of mission-critical data center infrastructure. You will lead technicians, manage preventive and corrective maintenance, and coordinate with vendors to ensure uptime and safety.

The role requires strong troubleshooting, experience with UPS, generators, and BMS/DCIM platforms, plus relevant certifications. On-site responsibilities may include shift work and on-call support.

Qualifications

• 5-8 years of experience in data center operations.
• Experience with UPS systems, generators, switchgear, HVAC and fire/life safety.
• Ability to read electrical one-lines and schematics.
• Strong troubleshooting, root-cause analysis and decision-making.
• Certifications such as CDCP, DCEP or equivalent preferred.

Responsibilities

• Operate, inspect, and maintain mission-critical systems (UPS, generators, switchgear, HVAC).
• Coordinate preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs.
• Provide day-to-day leadership to technicians and vendors.
• Respond to alarms, incidents, and perform post-event documentation.
• Develop and improve SOPs, MOPs, EOPs, and maintenance procedures.
• Monitor vendor activities to ensure safety and quality.
• Maintain accurate maintenance records and handoffs.
• Assist with capacity planning, upgrades, commissioning, and turnover.
• Promote safety culture and compliance with LOTO, OSHA, NFPA, and site policies.

Skills

Leadership

Data center operations

Troubleshooting

Communication

Documentation

Time management

Education

CDCP

DCEP

Electrical/Mechanical trade certifications

Tools

BMS

DCIM

EPMS

Job description

Assistant Chief Engineer

Job Description Summary

The Assistant Chief Engineer supports the Chief Engineer in managing the daily operation, maintenance, and reliability of mission-critical data center infrastructure. This role helps lead technical staff, coordinates preventive and corrective maintenance, responds to operational incidents, and ensures work is completed safely, accurately, and in accordance with approved data center procedures and standards.

Job Description

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Assist with the operation, inspection, and maintenance of mission-critical systems, including UPS equipment, generators, switchgear, PDUs, CRAC/CRAH units, fire/life safety systems, and BMS/DCIM platforms.
• Support and help coordinate preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs across electrical, mechanical, and controls systems.
• Provide day-to-day leadership to technicians and vendors by assigning work, monitoring progress, reinforcing standards, and verifying safe, accurate task completion.
• Respond to alarms, equipment abnormalities, and operational events; assist with troubleshooting, escalation, incident response, and post-event documentation.
• Execute, review, and support continuous improvement of SOPs, MOPs, EOPs, and maintenance procedures.
• Monitor vendor activities to ensure work is completed in accordance with site rules, safety requirements, maintenance standards, and approved scopes of work.
• Maintain accurate records for maintenance activities, inspections, incidents, equipment status, rounds, and operational handoffs.
• Assist with capacity planning, equipment upgrades, commissioning, construction support, and turnover activities while protecting uptime and operational continuity.
• Promote a strong safety culture, including compliance with LOTO, electrical safety, arc flash awareness, OSHA requirements, NFPA standards, and site-specific policies.
• Serve as the onsite escalation point and acting lead when the Chief Engineer is unavailable, as assigned.

Requirements

• 5-8 years of experience in data center operations, critical facilities engineering, or a comparable mission-critical environment.
• Prior lead, shift-lead, or supervisory experience preferred.
• Working knowledge of electrical and mechanical infrastructure, including UPS systems, generators, switchgear, HVAC equipment, fire/life safety systems, and controls platforms.
• Experience using BMS, EPMS, or DCIM systems to monitor equipment performance, alarms, and operating conditions.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical one-lines, mechanical drawings, schematics, sequence-of-operation documents, and technical manuals.
• Strong troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and decision-making skills in time-sensitive operational environments.
• Familiarity with applicable standards and requirements, including Uptime Institute guidance, NEC, NFPA, OSHA, and site-specific safety programs.
• Strong communication, documentation, teamwork, and customer-service skills.
• Ability to work assigned shifts, participate in on-call rotations, and respond to after-hours operational needs as required.
• Relevant certifications preferred, such as CDCP, DCEP, electrical/mechanical trade certifications, or equivalent credentials.

Additional Information

Cushman & Wakefield also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health, vision, and dental insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life, and disability insurance programs, and paid and unpaid time away from work. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, Cushman and Wakefield provide eligible employees with competitive pay, which may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, total hours worked, job type, business line, and applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

The compensation that will be offered to the successful candidate will depend on factors such as whether the position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement, the geographic area in which the work will be performed, market pay rates in that area, and the candidate's experience and qualifications.

C&W Services is an Equal Opportunity employer to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Discrimination of any type will not be tolerated.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position at C&W Services, please call the ADA line at 1-888-365-5406 or email [e-mail]. Please refer to the job title and job location when you contact us.

AAP/EEO STATEMENT

C&W provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protecte