Manager, Facilities Operations Engineer

QTS Realty Trust; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

QTS Realty Trust in Cedar Rapids, IA, is seeking a Manager of Facilities Operations Engineering to lead the data center facility technical strategy, improvements, and support across the portfolio.

You will coordinate electrical and mechanical system engineering, drive 24x7 uptime, and mentor Critical Environment Engineers while partnering with site teams, Sales Engineering, and Construction to ensure operational excellence and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering or equivalent.
• 3+ years in engineering activities in data centers or similar critical environments.
• Experience with large-scale electrical/mechanical infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support for data center operations and critical equipment.
• Coordinate site construction, testing, and commissioning activities.
• Develop and implement standard procedures and continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and electrical/building codes.
• Lead and mentor Critical Environment Engineers; manage PM programs.

Skills

Data center environments

Electrical systems

Mechanical systems

Planning & leadership

Vendor coordination

Education

Electrical or Mechanical Engineering degree

Tools

Work order systems

Job description

The Manager of Facilities Operations Engineering will be responsible for the Data Center facility technical strategy, continuous improvement and development support for sites across the QTS portfolio. This role is ultimately responsible to assist with the engineering related to coordination, installation, and integration aspects of electrical and mechanical systems, operations, and maintenance for critical and non-critical electrical & mechanical systems alike within the QTS portfolio. This role requires keen planning skills along with the ability to lead through influence and to be a proactive partner with a strong engineering orientation. The ideal candidate will have experience in electrical and/or mechanical systems and possess knowledge of large-scale data centers (or similar environments). These environments may include state-of-the-art electrical distribution systems, static UPS, emergency standby generation, fire alarm/suppression, monitoring systems, as well as chiller and large-scale cooling systems. This role will be a platform role that will require an estimated 10-30% travel to other sites around the U.S.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Other duties may be assigned.

• Provide technical support to all aspects of data center operations including the operation, maintenance and repair of all mission critical equipment and systems supporting a 24x7 data center operation to achieve 100% uptime and 100% compliance with all customer SLAs.
• Provide Operations input for QTS standards and infrastructure solutions (in conjunction with other QTS departments).
• Assist in all site construction activity and installations, in coordination with QTS project departments, external construction resources, to ensure system design, installation and testing adhere to operational standards. Witness testing of all equipment during commissioning and validate sequence of operations and receipt of all operational documentation.
• Support for customer solutions, in coordination with Sales Engineering, Design & Construction and Colocation Operations to coordinate technical solutions and drawings for customer move-ins and turn-ups, including deployments and power circuit installations.
• Implement standard procedures and provide technical support for all sites for continuous improvement and root-cause problem solving efforts.
• Assist site engineering/management with compliance with local health & safety (i.e. OSHA) standards and national electrical and building codes.
• Interfaces with vendors, QTS Engineering, QTS Development and peer operations organizations.
• Coordinate and work with all QTS site teams on standard operating procedures (SOP), method of procedures (MOP), and emergency response procedures (ERP) established for the critical environments, as well as the formal change management process.
• Responsible for program management and oversight for execution of preventive maintenance and reporting for all sites.
• Provide coaching, mentoring and technical support to Critical Environment Engineers.
• Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering or similar HVAC or critical power certifications OR equivalent professional experience in lieu of degree.
• Three or more years of direct experience with engineering related activities in a technical or critical environment (data center, nuclear power, hospital, pharmaceutical, semiconductor, industrial/commercial field engineering).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Five or more years of direct experience with engineering related activities in a technical or critical environment (data center, nuclear power, hospital, pharmaceutical, semiconductor, industrial/commercial field engineering).
• Three or more years of data center specific experience.
• Two or more years of management/supervisory experience overseeing engineering or critical operations managers.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Must be fluent with and possess an excellent working knowledge of Data Center Critical Environments.
• Ability to develop solutions and create technical strategic and tactical plans on complex projects.
• Ability and willingness to think outside of the box to find creative and innovative solutions to improve quality / reliability and continuously drive down operating costs.
• Advanced understanding of both mechanical and electrical equipment, systems and design related to data centers. (Including but not limited to: uninterruptable power sources, diesel generators, electrical switchgear, power distribution units, variable frequency drives, automatic/static transfer switches, chillers (air-cooled and water-cooled), pumps, cooling towers, heat exchangers, CRAHs, air economizers.)
• Extensive knowledge of electricity and medium / low voltage electrical distribution systems.
• Extensive experience with emergency backup systems (generators, UPS, battery backup).
• Knowledge and experience with preventative maintenance and work order software systems.

TOTAL REWARDS

This role is also eligible for a competitive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; 401(k) retirement plan; flexible spending and HSA accounts; paid holidays; paid time off; paid volunteer days; employee assistance program; tuition assistance; parental leave; military leave assistance; QTS scholarship for dependents; wellness program, and other company benefits.

This role is bonus eligible and may be eligible for equity.

Salary Range: 120,000 - 160,000

We conform to all the laws, statutes, and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action.

We strongly encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply to all of our job openings.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, age, disability status, Genetic Information & Testing, Family & Medical Leave, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We prohibit retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint or discrimination claim.

The "Know Your Rights" Poster is included here: Know Your Rights (English) Know Your Rights (Spanish) The pay transparency policy is available here: Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Poster-Formatted QTS is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to [e-mail] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.