Data Center Chief Engineer (AWS)

Job ID: | Amazon Data Services, Inc.

Join our dynamic Data Center Engineering Operations Team and become a critical architect of the infrastructure that powers global cloud computing. You’ll play a pivotal role in maintaining the heartbeat of Amazon Web Services' physical infrastructure, ensuring seamless operations that support millions of customers worldwide.

The Data Center Chief Engineer (CE) is responsible for ensuring that all electrical, mechanical, and fire/life safety equipment within the data center is operating at peak efficiency. This involves planned preventative maintenance, daily corrective work, and emergency response to emergent issues. The CE serves as an expert technical resource reporting to a site’s Data Center Facility Manager and interacts with onsite Engineering Operations Technicians (EOT) and third‑party vendors. The CE is the singular focal point for all facility operations within a given data center, supporting Amazon’s owned and operated data centers. Equipment that supports mission‑critical servers must maintain better than 99.999% uptime.

Chief Engineer will manage small‑to‑medium large impact projects from conception to completion. Projects may involve independent work and collaboration with external support groups, including engineering, automation, processing, and finance locally and globally. The CE will create and deliver milestones, obtain and track quotes for all costs, and document project results for future implementation at other facilities, driving innovation and resiliency while reducing operational costs.

The CE directs, trains, and supports EOTs in troubleshooting and operations of electrical and mechanical equipment. Implementation and execution of site‑/equipment‑specific training exercises are expected. Equipment includes, but is not limited to, standby diesel generators, switchgear, UPSs, PDUs, AHUs, chillers, cooling towers, chemical treatment systems, pumps, motors, VFDs, and building automation systems.

Key Job Responsibilities

• Oversee day‑to‑day operations and maintenance of mechanical and electrical equipment in a data center.
• Operate independently with limited direct management.
• Act as an escalation point for all facility‑related issues within the data center, escalating to the Data Center Facility Manager as needed.
• Perform root‑cause analysis of equipment failures.
• Troubleshoot and report facility and data‑center‑level events within internal SLA.
• Create and deploy new standard practices for Engineering Operations Technicians, Chief Engineers, and vendor support teams.
• Provide training and guidance to Engineering Operations Technicians.
• Ensure all safety procedures are adhered to by vendor and Amazon staff.
• Ensure all security procedures are adhered to by vendor and Amazon staff.
• Utilize internal CMMS to manage building workflows.
• Communicate complex technical information to a non‑technical audience.
• Use Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and other computer programs such as PDF, QUIP, and dashboards and scheduling tooling.
• Instruct others on scheduling, ticketing, and providing mentorship in developing solutions.

Essential Physical Requirements

• Walk job sites in uneven terrain.
• Work at heights and from ladders.
• Regularly lift and/or move up to 39 pounds; participate in group lifts for 40 pounds or more.
• Coordinate body movements when using tools or equipment.
• Reach and stretch to position equipment and fixtures while maintaining balance.
• Bend or twist the body into unusual positions while working.
• Perform physical tasks all day without becoming overly tired.
• Use hands to manipulate small wires and objects.
• Push or pull heavy objects into position.
• Work in a noisy environment.
• Work at depths, such as under raised floors.

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 assigned facility is operational.
• Travel frequency will vary based on business needs and operational status of assigned facility.
• Candidates must be able to travel (over 50 miles) or commute (less than 50 miles) to active data center sites as required by business needs.

Basic Qualifications

• 4+ years of data center engineering experience.
• Experience with reading and writing procedures, technical documents, and engineering drawings.
• 4+ years of administrative experience including Microsoft Office products.
• Experience leading technical teams through daily operations, maintenance evolutions, and complex troubleshooting.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in related field, or high school CTE in mechatronics.
• Experience in construction or project management.
• PMP, Lean Six Sigma, or equivalent certifications.
• Training‑lead informal training.
• Ability to work in an environment involving walking, stooping, bending, and climbing to access equipment.

Effective May 15, 2017, logical access to the AWS GovCloud region will be restricted to Amazon employees who are U.S. Citizens. (GovCloud may NOT be accessed from outside of the United States)

Amazon is an equal‑opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, please visit for more information.

The base salary range for this position is $111,300.00 – $186,100.00 USD annually. Your Amazon package will include sign‑on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, basic life & AD&D insurance, and optional supplemental life plans), EAP, mental health support, medical advice line, flexible spending accounts, adoption and surrogacy reimbursement coverage, 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at