Chief Engineer

Amazon.com; Boardman (OR); On-site; USD 96,000 - 166,000; Full time

Job summary

Amazon Data Services, Inc. is seeking a Chief Engineer to lead electrical and mechanical operations in a data center environment. You will oversee critical facility systems, supervise technicians, and drive reliability above 99.999% uptime.

You will manage projects from conception to completion, coordinate with vendors, and implement standard practices while ensuring safety and security. Travel to active data centers will be required as needed.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of electrical or mechanical experience in data centers.
• 3+ years of data center or mission critical facilities experience.
• Technical training or degree in electrical or mechanical field.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day mechanical and electrical equipment in a data center.
• Operate independently with limited direct management.
• Escalation point for facilities-related issues within the data center.
• Perform root cause analysis of equipment failures.
• Create and deploy standard practices for Engineering Operations Technicians, Chief Engineers, and vendor support teams.
• Provide training and guidance to Engineering Operations Technicians.
• Ensure safety procedures are adhered to by vendor and Amazon staff.
• Ensure security procedures are adhered to by vendor and Amazon staff.
• Utilize CMMS to manage building workflows.
• Communicate complex technical information to a non-technical audience.
• Lead scheduling, ticketing, and mentorship in developing solutions.

Skills

Electrical experience

Mechanical experience

Data center experience

Technical training

Education

Technical training or degree in electrical/mechanical field

Tools

CMMS

Office suite

Job description

Job ID: 10598230 | Amazon Data Services, Inc.

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 both planned preventative maintenance of equipment, daily corrective work, and emergency response to emergent issues. The CE serves as an expert technical resource reporting to a site’s Data Center Facility Manager, 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 Amazon within its owned and operated data centers. Data center equipment that supports mission‑critical servers must maintain better than 99.999% uptime.

Chief Engineer will be responsible for managing small-to-medium large impact projects from conception to completion. These projects can involve large amounts of 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 milestones, obtaining and tracking quotes for all necessary costs, and documenting project results for future implementation at other facilities. The goals of such projects are for the CE to drive innovation and resiliency while reducing operational costs in the facilities.

The Chief Engineer directs, trains and supports EOT’s 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. This equipment includes, but is not limited to, stand‑by diesel generators, switchgear, UPS’s, PDU’s, AHU’s, chillers, cooling towers, chemical treatment systems, pumps, motors, VFD’s, and building automation systems.

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 of the servers, storage, networking, power, and cooling equipment that ensure our customers have continual access to the innovation they rely on.

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.

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).

Key job responsibilities

• Oversee the day-to-day operations and maintenance of mechanical and electrical equipment in a data center.
• Operate independently with limited direct management
• Act as an escalation point for all facilities-related issues within the data center, escalating to the Data Center Facility Manager as needed
• Perform root cause analysis of equipment failures
• Troubleshoot and report of facility and data sever-level events within internal SLA
• Create and deploy new standard practices for Engineering Operations Technicians, Chief Engineers, and vendor support teams
• Provide training and guidance to Engineering Operations Technicians
• Ensure all safety procedures are adhered to by vendor and Amazon staff
• Ensure all security procedures are adhered to by vendor and Amazon staff
• Utilize internal CMMS to manage building workflows
• Communicate complex technical information to a non-technical audience
• Using Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Excel, PPT, Word) and other computer programs such as PDF, QUIP, and other dashboards and scheduling tooling.
• Instruct others on scheduling, ticketing, and providing mentorship in developing solutions.

Physical Requirements

• Walk job sites in uneven terrain
• Work at heights and from ladders
• Regularly lift and/or move up to 39 pounds; and participate in group lifts for 40 pounds or more
• Coordinate body movements when using tools or equipment
• Reach and stretch to position equipment and fixtures while maintaining balance
• Bend or twist the body into unusual positions while working
• Perform physical tasks all day without becoming overly tired
• Use hands to manipulate small wires and objects
• Push or pull heavy objects into position
• Work in a noisy environment
• Work at depths, such as under raised floors

This role supports data centers in various operational stages. The position may be assigned to a facility still under development, which could require travel to established locations for training until your designated site becomes fully operational.

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

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 of 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.

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 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

Here at AWS, it’s in our nature to learn and be curious. Our employee‑led affinity groups foster a culture of inclusion that empower us to be proud of our differences. Ongoing events and learning experiences, including our Conversations on Race and Ethnicity (CORE) and AmazeCon (gender diversity) conferences, inspire us to never stop embracing our uniqueness.

Mentorship & 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.

Work/Life Balance

We value work‑life harmony. Achieving success at work should never come at the expense of sacrifices at home, which is why we strive for flexibility as part of our working culture. When we feel supported in the workplace and at home, there’s nothing we can’t achieve in the cloud.

Basic Qualifications

• 3+ years of electrical or mechanical experience
• 3+ years of data center or mission critical facilities (example: hospital, military facility, public safety facility, etc.) experience
• Technical (Military/Trade School) training or degree in a relevant field (for example: electrical, mechanical).

Preferred Qualifications

• 4+ years of data center engineering experience
• Associate's degree or above, or Bachelor's degree
• Experience leading and managing a team

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 .

Preferred Qualifications

• 4+ years of data center engineering experience
• Associate's degree or above, or Bachelor's degree
• Experience leading and managing a team

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 .

USA, OR, Boardman - 96,000.00 - 166,300.00 USD annually