Director, Engineering Standards & Safety

NTT Global Data Centers Americas, Inc.; San Francisco (CA); Remote; USD 180,000 - 258,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Comprehensive benefits

401k retirement plan

Job summary

NTT Global Data Centers Americas, Inc. seeks a Director to lead Engineering Standards & Safety, defining global standards and governance for electrical, mechanical, controls and life-safety systems across data centers.

The role drives risk‑based decision making and cross‑functional collaboration with Design, Construction, Operations and corporate safety teams. The candidate will build a high‑performing global team, set governance and evaluation criteria, and ensure standards reflect industry

Qualifications

• Bachelor's-level engineering degree required in electrical, mechanical, controls, fire‑protection or related field.
• Minimum 12 years of progressive engineering experience in mission‑critical facilities or equivalent.
• At least 5 years leading engineering teams or enterprise standards programs.
• Experience developing or governing engineering standards, safety requirements and risk‑acceptance processes.

Responsibilities

• Set global strategy, priorities and operating model for Engineering Standards & Safety.
• Review, approve and govern engineering standards, methods and analytical models.
• Define operating boundaries, acceptance criteria and validation frameworks for safety and reliability.
• Lead a multidisciplinary global team and collaborate with regional sites and vendors.
• Communicate complex technical decisions to senior leaders in clear terms.

Skills

Engineering leadership

Standards governance

Risk management

Electrical/Mechanical/Controls

Arc-flash safety

Education

Engineering degree

Job description

Make an impact at NTT Global Data Centers Join NTT Global Data Centers and be part of a team that drives innovation and sustainability in the digital world. With over 150 data centers across more than 20 countries globally, we offer unparalleled opportunities to work on cutting‑edge technology and transformative projects. Experience a collaborative, innovative, and inclusive workplace where your ideas are valued, and your growth is supported.

Your role at a glance The Director, Engineering Standards and Safety is a global role, that leads the global function that defines how engineering work is performed safely and consistently across data center operations. The role owns engineering standards, technical methods, operating boundaries, asset‑acceptance criteria and the governance of technical deviations and risk acceptances. This director leads a multidisciplinary team covering electrical, mechanical, controls, fire and life safety, and related engineering disciplines. The discipline standards engineers carry the primary research, evidence development, consultation and drafting workload. The Director sets priorities, challenges the evidence and retains final approval and governance authority. The function works with Field Engineering, Operations, Design, Construction, Commissioning, vendors and corporate safety teams to convert technical risk and operating experience into practical global requirements. Regional teams remain accountable for executing engineering work. Clear standards and safety controls help operating teams run critical facilities safely and efficiently, maintain reliable infrastructure, reduce avoidable environmental impact and provide consistent technical support to clients.

What we are looking for

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Set the global strategy, priorities and operating model for Engineering Standards & Safety.
• Set the standards-development portfolio and research priorities, assign accountable discipline engineers and ensure work is proportionate to risk and business need.
• Review and approve engineering standards, technical methods and analytical models developed through documented research and cross-functional consultation.
• Ensure discipline engineers engage Field Engineering, site Operations, vendors and other experts, reconcile material input and maintain a traceable technical basis for each recommendation.
• Define technical operating limits, system boundaries and escalation requirements for electrical, mechanical, controls, fire and life‑safety systems.
• Establish engineering acceptance criteria for assets and systems entering operation, in partnership with Design, Construction, Commissioning and Operations.
• Define validation frameworks for reliability analysis, energy analysis, technical‑capacity analysis and control‑strategy design.
• Own the governance process for technical deviations and engineering risk acceptances, including approval authorities, evidence requirements, review periods and escalation thresholds.
• Define engineering safety requirements for energized work, arc‑flash risk, breaker coordination and other high‑risk engineering activities.
• Establish global control‑system and alarm philosophy, including control‑sequence principles, setpoint governance, alarm requirements, point naming, tagging and metadata standards.
• Establish fire and life‑safety engineering requirements and assurance methods in partnership with corporate safety, regional teams and authorities having jurisdiction.
• Monitor adoption of standards, identify systemic compliance gaps and sponsor corrective actions without assuming regional execution ownership.
• Ensure standards reflect operating experience, incident learning, regulatory requirements, recognized industry practices and changes in technology.
• Chair or sponsor governance forums that resolve cross‑region technical questions, approve material exceptions and assign clear decision ownership.
• Build and lead a high‑performing global team through workforce planning, hiring, coaching, performance management and succession planning.
• Communicate engineering requirements, material risks and decisions to senior leaders in clear technical and business terms.
• Manage the function's priorities, resources, external technical support and budget in line with approved business plans.

ROLE AND DECISION SCOPE

Owns Global engineering standards, methods and technical governance for operating facilities. Technical operating boundaries and asset‑acceptance criteria. Engineering‑safety requirements within the function's remit. Control and alarm philosophy and related naming, tagging and metadata standards. The engineering deviation and risk‑acceptance framework. Assurance methods for adoption and continued suitability of standards. Approves New and materially revised global engineering standards. Standards‑development priorities and the evidence required before a proposal enters formal approval. Technical deviations and engineering risk acceptances within delegated authority. Validation methods used to demonstrate compliance with engineering requirements. Function priorities, resources and technical‑governance forums. Recommends or Escalates Material engineering risks that exceed delegated authority or risk tolerance. Investment or remediation needed to close systemic standards and safety gaps. Changes to enterprise policy, design standards or operational practices owned by other functions. Regulatory, safety or technical matters requiring executive or legal review. Outside This Role's Scope Regional execution of engineering studies, projects or routine engineering work. Real‑time facility control, uptime management and operational response. Incident command or coordination. Definition of performance KPIs owned by Optimization & Analytics. Maintenance scheduling, work‑order management or local procedure approval. Physical meter, asset or network maintenance.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

• Regional Field Engineering directors and discipline managers
• Site and regional Operations leadership
• Reliability, Optimization & Analytics and Technical Capacity leaders
• Design, Construction, Commissioning and Capital Projects
• Corporate and regional Health, Safety, Security and Environment teams
• Sustainability, Legal, Risk, Finance and Procurement
• Equipment manufacturers, engineering consultants and insurers
• Regulators, standards bodies and authorities having jurisdiction

KNOWLEDGE & ATTRIBUTES

• Deep knowledge of engineering principles used in mission‑critical or data center facilities, with strong working knowledge across electrical, mechanical and controls systems.
• Strong knowledge of engineering risk management, technical assurance, change control and standards governance.
• Knowledge of energized‑work safety, arc‑flash analysis, short‑circuit and breaker‑coordination principles.
• Knowledge of control sequences, building‑management systems, electrical power‑management systems, alarm philosophy and operational technology interfaces.
• Working knowledge of fire detection, suppression and life‑safety engineering requirements.
• Ability to translate codes, regulations, operating experience and technical analysis into clear, usable global standards.
• Ability to evaluate complex technical evidence, make risk‑based decisions and explain the basis for those decisions.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams across regions and cultures.
• Strong organizational leadership, workforce planning, coaching and performance‑management skills.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and resolve ownership or technical conflicts without relying on direct authority.
• Clear written and verbal communication, including standards, executive briefings and technical decision records.
• Ability to balance safety, reliability, operability, efficiency, cost and long‑term asset health.

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Required Bachelor's degree in electrical, mechanical, controls, fire‑protection or a related engineering discipline, or equivalent relevant education and experience where company policy permits.
• At least 12 years of progressive engineering experience in mission‑critical facilities, industrial infrastructure, utilities or a comparable high‑availability environment.
• At least 5 years of experience leading engineering teams, technical authorities or enterprise standards programs.
• Demonstrated experience developing or governing engineering standards, technical methods, safety requirements or formal risk‑acceptance processes.
• Experience working with data center or other mission‑critical electrical, cooling and controls infrastructure.
• Experience operating across multiple regions or business units and influencing senior technical and operational stakeholders.
• Preferred Master's degree in engineering, engineering management or a related field.
• Professional Engineer, Chartered Engineer or equivalent professional registration.
• Experience with relevant NFPA, IEEE, IEC, ISO, ASHRAE or equivalent regional standards.
• Formal training or certification in electrical safety, functional safety, fire protection, risk management or management systems.
• Experience participating in industry standards bodies, technical committees or regulatory engagement.

MEASURES OF SUCCESS

Engineering standards are current, clear, usable and adopted consistently across regions. Material engineering and safety risks are identified, governed and escalated within defined timeframes. Technical deviations and risk acceptances have complete evidence, clear ownership and effective expiration or review controls. Regions have fewer conflicting interpretations of operating limits, acceptance criteria and engineering methods. Systemic assurance findings result in timely, durable corrective action by the accountable execution teams. The function maintains the technical capability, succession coverage and stakeholder trust needed to perform its global mandate.

WORK CONDITIONS & OTHER REQUIREMENTS

This is a global role with regular collaboration across time zones. International and domestic travel is expected, typically up to 25%. The role may occasionally support urgent technical or safety matters outside normal business hours. Work includes office or home‑office activity and visits to operating or construction‑stage data centers. Site visits may involve noise, heat, electrical and mechanical equipment, stairs or ladders, and required personal protective equipment. Employment classification, work arrangement and any additional physical requirements will follow the requirements of the hiring location. Reasonable accommodations will be provided in accordance with applicable law.

Compensation Pay Range

For roles residing in the US, we share pay and benefit levels to support pay transparency requirements. For other countries, we are more than happy to share our competitive pay and benefit levels during the interview process. This is a remote position that requires reliable internet connection and electricity.

• A monthly stipend is provided to cover expenses associated with working remotely and use of a personal mobile device, if applicable.
• NTT Global Data Centers Americas, Inc. offers competitive compensation based on experience, education, and location.
• Base salary for this position is: $180,400 to $257,700
• All regular full‑time employees are eligible for an annual bonus; payout is dependent upon individual and company performance.
• Employees receive paid time‑off, medical, dental, and vision benefits, life and supplemental insurance, short‑term and long‑term disability, flexible spending account, and 401k retirement plan to create a rich Total Rewards package.

Who we are

As the third largest data center provider, we operate over 150 data centers in more than 20 countries and regions. We understand that every business - large and small - has its own unique needs and goals. We offer local‑to‑global data center expertise, aligned with our connected platform of AI‑ready data centers to create solutions that enable our clients to seamlessly scale their digital businesses, anywhere and anytime.

NTT Global Data Centers is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer with a global culture that embraces diversity.

We are committed to providing an environment free of unfair discrimination and harassment.

We do not discriminate based on age, race, colour, gender, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, disability, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected category.

Join our growing global team and accelerate your career with us.

Data centers are the foundation of the digital world and at NTT Global Data Centers, we are one of the largest providers across the globe. We offer a wide variety of exciting and challenging careers that deliver opportunities to shape our ever‑changing world. Our diverse, inspiring workforce is the heart and soul of our company, providing the best experience for our clients every day. By bringing together our global capabilities and local expertise, we help our clients achieve their goals, anywhere in the world. Together, we can accomplish the extraordinary and work to create a more sustainable world with rewarding benefits for everyone - clients, employees, investors, partners, and communities.