Data Center Engineer

Akkodis; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 165,000 - 248,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) plan

Paid leave & commuter benefits

Job summary

Akkodis is seeking a Data Center Engineering Lead (Contract) to architect and direct large-scale infrastructure programs powering our AI platforms and cloud environments. You will drive DC readiness across multiple teams to scale our data center ecosystem globally.

You’ll lead schedules, coordinate power, cooling, racks, and network readiness, and provide executive-level updates with risk assessments. This role demands senior technical leadership and a strategic, systems-focused mindset.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Data Center Engineering (or equivalent).
• 7+ years designing and delivering complex data center or high-density compute facilities.
• Strong knowledge of MW-scale power distribution and cooling systems.
• Experience leading cross-functional engineering integration across facilities, network, and operations.
• Proven ability to create and manage engineering KPIs, readiness metrics, and executive reporting.

Responsibilities

• Lead Global Infrastructure Data Center Build out programs end-to-end.
• Drive execution of lab and data center buildouts from concept to operational readiness.
• Own schedules linking power delivery, cooling deployment, rack installation, network readiness, and occupancy planning.
• Establish launch readiness criteria across global sites and governance.
• Partner with Cloud Platform, Facilities, Engineering, Real Estate, and Operations.
• Present concise executive updates to VP-level and senior leadership.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Executive reporting

Strong communication

Systems thinking

Infrastructure planning

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical/Mechanical/Data Center Engineering

Job description

The IPP (Infrastructure, Planning & Process) division at our client designs, scales, and optimizes the global data center footprint powering our AI platforms and cloud environments. They are seeking a Data Center Engineering Lead (Contract) to architect and direct large-scale infrastructure programs supporting our clients Cloud Platform and global AI product lifecycle.

This role will drive IPPs DC readiness across multiple vectors and teams to ensure our data center ecosystem scales efficiently, reliably, and sustainably across the world.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Lead Global Infrastructure Data Center Build out programs.
• Drive execution of super lab and data center buildouts from concept approval through operational readiness.
• Own coordinated schedules linking power delivery, cooling deployment (air & liquid), rack installation, network readiness, and occupancy planning.
• Establish and enforce launch readiness criteria across global sites!
• Orchestrate multi-functional alignment.
• Partner with Cloud Platform, SPT (System Product Teams), Facilities, Engineering, Real Estate, and Operations.
• Act as the connective tissue between tenant demand (product bring-up) and landlord infrastructure readiness (IPP).
• Facilitate executive business reviews with clear R/Y/G status and quantified risk.
• Capacity & Space Planning Integration
• Translate portfolio-level demand signals into actionable infrastructure plans.
• Model rack density, MW capacity, bench allocation, and cooling distribution.
• Identify portfolio cooling gaps (liquid vs. air) and bring up risk mitigation strategies.
• Benchmark Governance & Executive Reporting
• Develop measurable benchmarks tied to schedule predictability, MW delivery, rack availability, and readiness dates.
• Present concise executive updates to VP‑level and senior leadership collaborators.
• Drive root‑cause analysis and capture lessons learned into future build cycles.
• Identify infrastructure constraints early (power, chilled water, space).
• Lead scenario planning for site contingencies and global redistribution.
• Actively reduce schedule risk affecting product launch timelines.

What We Need to See:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Data Center Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field (or equivalent experience).
• 7+ years designing and delivering complex data center or high‑density compute facilities (hyperscale or enterprise level).
• Strong technical understanding of large-scale power distribution (MW‑level planning), cooling systems, and infrastructure reliability design principles.
• Experience leading cross‑functional engineering integration across facilities, network, and operations.
• Proven ability to create and manage engineering KPIs, readiness metrics, and executive‑level reporting around infrastructure health and capacity.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to distill complex engineering tradeoffs into actionable strategies for executive and technical audiences.

What Sets You Apart:

• You think in systems — not just physical infrastructure but the orchestration of power, cooling, and compute integration at a global scale.
• You thrive in technical and strategic discussions, bridging engineering rigor with architectural foresight.
• You bring proactive systems thinking, anticipate risk, and focus on reliability and efficiency without losing sight of long‑term scalability.

Benefit offerings include medical, dental, vision, term life insurance, short‑term disability insurance, additional voluntary benefits, commuter benefits and 401K plan. Our program provides employees the flexibility to choose the type of coverage that meets their individual needs. Available paid leave may include Paid Sick Leave, where required by law; any other paid leave required by Federal, State or local law; and Holiday pay upon meeting eligibility criteria. Disclaimer: These benefit offerings do not apply to client‑recruited jobs and jobs which are direct hire to a client