Data Center Chief Engineer (AWS)

Job ID: | Amazon Data Services, Inc.

Note: Amazon does not sponsor immigration, including H‑1B, TN, and other non‑immigrant visas for this role.

Note: Lump sum stipend will be provided to eligible candidates who relocate for this position.

GovCloud Region Restriction: PDX is an AWS GovCloud region; from February 24, 2026, logical access will be restricted to Amazon employees who are U.S. citizens.

Key Job Responsibilities

• Act as the primary escalation point for all facilities‑related issues.
• Oversee operation and management of routine and emergency services on critical systems such as switchgear, generators, UPS systems, power distribution equipment, chillers, cooling towers, computer room air handlers, and building monitoring systems.
• Perform root‑cause analysis of equipment failures and troubleshoot facilities within internal Service Level Agreements (SLA).
• Provide training and guidance to Engineering Operations Technicians and work with the Facility Manager to set team culture.
• Create and deploy new standard practices for Engineering Operations Technicians, Chief Engineers, and vendor support teams.
• Assist in building out new facilities and support projects to increase current facility efficiency.
• Work outside normal business hours for routine maintenance and respond to out‑of‑hours emergency calls.
• Communicate complex technical information to non‑technical audiences.
• Coordinate projects with IT managers and other business leaders to manage capacity and optimize plant safety, performance, reliability, and efficiency.
• Ensure all safety procedures are adhered to by vendors and Amazon staff.
• Establish building performance benchmarks, conduct analyses, and prepare reports on critical facility operations and maintenance.
• Utilize Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and other basic administrative tools for day‑to‑day tasks.
• Direct, train, and support technicians in hands‑on electrical and mechanical equipment troubleshooting and operations.
• Implement and execute site‑/equipment‑specific training exercises.
• Manage projects from conception to completion, creating and delivering milestones, obtaining and tracking quotes, and documenting results for future implementation at other facilities.

Physical Requirements

• Willingness and demonstrated ability to work in physical conditions including lifting and moving up to 39 lb independently and in group lifts of 40 lb or more.
• Maintain balance and perform construction tasks on a ladder.
• Regularly walk, use hands and fingers, handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, climb stairs, twist, bend, work above shoulders, grasp, carry, push, and pull objects into position.
• Work in an environment requiring ear protection.
• Travel to established locations for training until the assigned facility becomes fully operational.

Essential Requirements

• Ability to travel to or commute between data center locations as needed.
• Willingness to temporarily work at alternative sites during training periods or until the assigned facility is operational.
• Travel frequency will vary based on business needs.
• Candidates must be able to travel over 50 miles or commute less than 50 miles to active data center sites.

A Day in the Life

The CE acts as Amazon’s front line for hands‑on electrical and mechanical equipment troubleshooting. Responsibilities include maintaining, operating, and troubleshooting mission‑critical data center equipment—such as stand‑by diesel generators, UPS units, PDUs, and wet‑cell batteries—to support servers requiring uptime better than 99.999%. Mechanical systems covered include CRAHU units, centrifugal chillers, cooling towers, water systems, air handlers, pumps, motors, fire/life safety equipment, building automation systems, and general facility equipment. The CE directs, trains, and supports technicians, implements and executes site‑specific training exercises, and manages projects from conception to completion in coordination with engineering, automation, processing, and finance teams.

Basic Qualifications

• 3+ years of vendor management experience.
• 4+ years of relevant work in a data center or other critical environment.
• 5+ years of data center engineering or operations experience.
• 5+ years of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel) experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• 3+ years of mission‑critical facilities experience with industrial electrical and mechanical systems.
• Experience reading and writing procedures, technical documents, and engineering drawings.

Preferred Qualifications

• 3+ years of construction or project management experience.
• Electrical or mechanical Journeyman license.
• Operating engineering license such as DC II, DC III, or equivalent.
• Experience leading technical teams through daily operations and maintenance evolutions.
• Ability to work in an environment that involves walking, stooping, bending, and climbing to access equipment.

Salary and Benefits

Base salary range: USD 96,000.00 – 166,300.00 annually (USA, OR, Hermiston). Your Amazon package may include sign‑on payments, restricted stock units (RSUs), and additional compensation based on experience, qualifications, and location. Comprehensive benefits include health, dental, vision, prescription, basic life & AD&D insurance, options for supplemental life plans, employee assistance program, mental health support, medical advice line, flexible spending accounts, adoption and surrogacy reimbursement coverage, 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave.

Amazon is an equal‑opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.