Manager, Chief Engineer, NA

Vantage Data Centers; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision benefits

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

Vantage Data Centers seeks a Manager, Chief Engineer in Santa Clara, CA to oversee the 24/7 operation of critical facility systems. This role involves managing maintenance teams, ensuring compliance with maintenance guidelines, and maintaining efficient operations to minimize downtime.

The ideal candidate has extensive experience in mission-critical environments and demonstrates strong leadership and technical capabilities. Compensation includes a competitive salary range of $150,000 - $160,000 plus bonus and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Minimum ten years of hands-on experience in mission-critical facilities.
• At least two years of leadership experience.
• Complete understanding of data center infrastructure and operations.
• Strong technical writing skills for SOPs.
• Excellent customer service experience.

Responsibilities

• Supervise efficient operation of facility equipment and systems.
• Ensure zero downtime in operations.
• Lead performance appraisals and training for personnel.
• Coordinate maintenance and service repairs.
• Run the site industrial safety program.

Skills

Hands-on maintenance experience

Leadership and management

Technical writing skills

Customer service

Strong communication skills

Job description

Position Overview

The Manager, Chief Engineer will be responsible for continued and uninterrupted 24‑7‑365 operation of raised floor equipment in a large Tier‑III data center campus, including all equipment and spaces up to the PDU at the customer level.

The Manager will manage scheduled and corrective maintenance, system repairs, testing, equipment commissioning, and all critical facility start‑up and continuing operations.

The Manager, Chief Engineer will manage and lead a team of Senior Level Specialists (Electrical and Mechanical) and Facility Technicians, as well as all contracted maintenance and repair teams onsite. The Chief Engineer is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of these employees, and will report directly to the Director of Operations and coordinate activities with the Director of Engineering.

This role is open on a rolling basis; applications are reviewed as they come in.

Essential Job Functions

• Oversee and supervise the efficient 24/7/365 operation of the facility equipment and systems.
• Strive toward zero downtime in operations by ensuring reliable system performance.
• Provide extensive customer service focus and interaction: evaluate all equipment and system operations, provide engineering analysis, recommendations for improvement, and energy‑efficiency methods.
• Lead and manage all assigned personnel, including performance appraisals, training plans, counseling and mentoring.
• Coordinate, oversee, and quality‑assure maintenance and service repairs on all critical facility and building engineering systems (e.g., electrical distribution, emergency diesel generators, UPS/battery backup, HVAC, BMS, fire prevention, and other electro‑mechanical equipment).
• Ensure all maintenance activities follow approved MOPs and Vantage’s Mission‑Critical Facility work rules.
• Utilize the CMMS program to administer and refine an effective preventive maintenance plan tailored to the facility.
• Monitor and supervise subcontracted maintenance and repair projects, evaluating performance and recommending in‑house support when practical.
• Allocate work responsibilities among subordinates by developing and implementing manpower schedules and procedures that achieve low cost and efficient operation.
• Establish performance standards and adhere to standard practices and quality levels.
• Coordinate development, implementation, and training of SOP/EOP/MOPs for equipment and systems, including documentation for new or unsupported systems.
• Run the site industrial safety program and ensure compliance with company policies, federal, state, and local safety regulations.
• Manage the Lock‑out / Tag‑out program, strictly adhering to OSHA regulations.
• Prepare operating and repair budgets in coordination with Operations and Engineering Directors.
• Oversee purchasing of parts, equipment, and services, maintaining spare parts inventory for expeditious repairs.
• Maintain periodic operational testing schedules for critical systems and equipment.
• Oversight of system testing and quality‑assurance documentation after major repairs, ensuring compliance with EPA and environmental guidelines and local/state regulations.
• Maintain and improve the site reliability program, identifying and addressing future problem areas.
• Develop and maintain the site training program for technicians and other staff on facility equipment and systems.
• Perform other services necessary to maintain and operate all mission‑critical infrastructure in an approved manner.
• Additional duties assigned by Management.

Job Requirements

• Minimum ten years of hands‑on maintenance/repair/installation/commissioning experience in mission‑critical facilities (mechanical and/or electrical).
• At least two years of leadership/management experience, including project management, meeting deadlines, directing a maintenance department, and developing staff in mission‑critical environments.
• Complete understanding of 2N Data Center/Critical Facility infrastructure, systems, operations, maintenance, and emergency responses.
• Strong technical‑writing skills and experience creating, coordinating, updating, and modifying MOP/EOP/SOPs for critical facility equipment.
• Excellent customer service experience with ability and desire to engage customers on infrastructure/engineering concepts and emergency procedures.
• Strong communication skills to maintain constant interaction with supervisors, managers, and technicians.
• Experience developing budgets, capital investment plans, and repair projects, coordinating financial requests up to the CEO level.
• Willingness to work long hours, weekends, rotating shifts, and be on call 24/7.
• Must successfully complete a background check and drug screen.
• Travel expected to be minimal, up to 5% for training.

Physical Demands and Special Requirements

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to handle or feel objects, reach, climb stairs, balance, stoop or kneel, talk, hear, and may occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds.

Additional Details

• Salary Range: $150,000 - $160,000 Base + Bonus (based on Colorado market data; may vary in other locations).
• Eligible for company benefits including medical, dental, vision, life & AD&D, short and long‑term disability, paid time off, employee assistance, 401(k) with company match, and additional voluntary benefits.
• Compensation may depend on qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience and may fall outside the stated range.

Vantage Data Centers is an Equal Opportunity Employer.