Chief Engineer, Data Center Engg Ops (AWS)

Amazon; Mineral (VA); On-site; USD 96,000 - 166,300; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

RSUs

Sign-on bonus

401(k) matching

Paid time off

Parental leave

Job summary

Amazon is seeking a Chief Engineer to oversee electrical, mechanical, and fire/safety systems in data centers. You will serve as the primary escalation point for facilities issues and coordinate with technicians, vendors, and facility managers to ensure safety, reliability, and performance.

You will analyze root causes, develop standard practices, and help build out new facilities while working occasional non‑business hours for maintenance or emergencies.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in data center or mission-critical facilities.
• 3+ years of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel) experience.
• Experience reading and writing procedures, technical documents, and engineering drawings.
• Preferred: Experience in construction or project management.
• Preferred: Experience in data center engineering or operations.
• Preferred: Experience leading technical teams through daily operations and maintenance evolutions.

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary escalation point for facilities-related issues and oversee operation and management of routine and emergency services on critical systems such as switchgear, generators, UPS, chillers, cooling towers, and building monitoring systems.
• Perform root-cause analysis of equipment failures and troubleshoot facility issues within internal SLAs.
• Provide training and guidance to Engineering Operations Technicians and collaborate with the Facility Manager to set team culture.
• Create and deploy new standard practices for EOTs, CEs, and vendor support teams.
• Assist in the build-out of new facilities and projects to increase current facility efficiency.
• Work outside normal business hours for routine maintenance, including response to out-of-hours emergencies.
• Communicate complex technical information to a non-technical audience and coordinate with IT managers and business leaders on projects to optimize safety, performance, reliability, and efficiency.
• Ensure all safety procedures are adhered to by vendors and Amazon staff.
• Establish building performance benchmarks, conduct analysis, and prepare reports on critical facility operations and maintenance.
• Utilize Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and other basic administrative tools to perform day-to-day tasks.

Skills

Data center facilities management

Microsoft Office efficiency

Technical documentation

Team leadership

Vendor coordination

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

Overview

Join our Data Center Engineering Operations Team as a Chief Engineer (CE) to ensure electrical, mechanical, and fire/life safety equipment in Amazon data centers operates efficiently. The CE is the primary escalation point for all facilities‑related issues, coordinating with Engineering Operations Technicians, vendors, and facility managers.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the primary escalation point for all facilities‑related issues and oversee operation and management of routine and emergency services on critical systems such as switchgear, generators, UPS, chillers, cooling towers, and building monitoring systems.
• Perform root‑cause analysis of equipment failures and troubleshoot facility issues within internal SLAs.
• Provide training and guidance to Engineering Operations Technicians and collaborate with the Facility Manager to set team culture.
• Create and deploy new standard practices for EOTs, CEs, and vendor support teams.
• Assist in the build‑out of new facilities and projects to increase current facility efficiency.
• Work outside normal business hours for routine maintenance, including response to out‑of‑hours emergencies.
• Communicate complex technical information to a non‑technical audience and coordinate with IT managers and business leaders on projects to optimize safety, performance, reliability, and efficiency.
• Ensure all safety procedures are adhered to by vendors and Amazon staff.
• Establish building performance benchmarks, conduct analysis, and prepare reports on critical facility operations and maintenance.
• Utilize Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and other basic administrative tools to perform day‑to‑day tasks.

Physical Requirements

• Regularly lift and/or move up to 39 pounds independently, participate in group lifts over 40 pounds, maintain balance while on ladders, and perform construction tasks such as climbing stairs, twisting, bending, and working above shoulders.
• Work in environments requiring ear protection and on ladders.

Travel Requirements

• Ability to travel or commute between data center locations as required by business needs, with travel potentially over 50 miles or commuting less than 50 miles.

Essential Requirements

• US citizen with a current, active Top Secret security clearance with SCI eligibility.
• Candidate must obtain and maintain TS/SCI clearance with polygraph after start and satisfy all government agency clearance requirements for AWS work.
• Must be able to travel to or commute between data center locations and work temporarily at alternative sites during training or until the assigned facility becomes operational.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in data center or mission‑critical facilities (e.g., hospital, military, public safety).
• 3+ years of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel) experience.
• Experience reading and writing procedures, technical documents, and engineering drawings.
• Preferred: Experience in construction or project management.
• Preferred: Experience in data center engineering or operations.
• Preferred: Experience leading technical teams through daily operations and maintenance evolutions.

Benefits

The base salary for this position ranges from $96,000 to $166,300 annually. Compensation includes sign‑on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Benefit options include health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, basic life & AD&D), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave.

Equal Opportunity Statement

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 during the application and hiring process, please visit Amazon accommodations for more information.