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 both planned preventative maintenance of equipment, 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, interacting with onsite Engineering Operations Technicians (EOT) and any third-party vendors. They are expected to be a singular focal point for all facility operations within a given data center and to support Amazon within its owned and operated data centers. Data center equipment that supports mission-critical servers must maintain better than 99.999% uptime.

Chief Engineer will be responsible for managing small-to-medium large impact projects from conception to completion. These projects can involve large amounts of independent work as well as collaboration with external support groups including engineering, automation, processing, and finance in both local and global settings. The CE will be tasked with creating and delivering milestones, obtaining and tracking quotes for all necessary costs, and documenting project results for future implementation at other facilities. The goals of such projects are for the CE to drive innovation and resiliency while reducing operational costs in the facilities.

The Chief Engineer directs, trains and supports EOT's in their role of providing hands-on electrical and mechanical equipment troubleshooting and operations. Implementation and execution of site/equipment-specific training exercises is also expected. This equipment includes, but is not limited to, stand-by diesel generators, switchgear, UPS's, PDU's, AHU's, chillers, cooling towers, chemical treatment systems, pumps, motors, VFD's, and building automation systems.

PDX is an AWS GovCloud region. As required by our contracts with the federal government, effective February 24, 2026, 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).

Key job responsibilities

Oversee the 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 facilities-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 of facility and data sever-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

Using Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Excel, PPT, Word) and other computer programs such as PDF, QUIP, and other dashboards and scheduling tooling.

Instruct others on scheduling, ticketing, and providing mentorship in developing solutions.

Physical Requirements:

Walk job sites in uneven terrain

Work at heights and from ladders

Regularly lift and/or move up to 39 pounds; and 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

This role supports data centers in various operational stages. The position may be assigned to a facility still under development, which could require travel to established locations for training until your designated site 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 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.

A day in the life

This role acts as Amazon's front line when it comes to hands-on electrical and mechanical equipment troubleshooting. They maintain, operate, and troubleshoot mission-critical data center facility equipment including electrical support equipment that supports servers that must maintain better than 99.999% uptime. Equipment will include but is not limited to stand-by diesel generators and related fuel systems, 3 phase electrical systems such as switchgear, UPS units, PDUs, and wet cell batteries and associated systems. Mechanical equipment includes CRAHU units, centrifugal chillers, cooling towers, water systems, air handlers and associated systems, pumps, and motors. Additional support equipment is included in the scope of the role which includes fire/life safety equipment, building automation systems, and general facilities equipment.

The CE directs, trains and supports technicians in their role of providing hands-on electrical and mechanical equipment troubleshooting and operations. Implementation and execution of site/equipment-specific training exercises is also expected. They manage projects from conception to completion. These projects involve independent work as well as collaboration with external support groups including engineering, automation, processing, and finance in both local and global settings. The CE will be tasked with creating and delivering on key milestones, obtaining and tracking quotes for all necessary costs, and documenting project results for future implementation at other facilities.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

- Experience with Microsoft Office including Outlook, Word, and Excel

- 3+ years of electrical and mechanical facilities maintenance experience

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 in construction or project management

The base salary range for this position is listed below. 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 option for 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 https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.

USA, OR, Boardman - 96,000.00 - 166,300.00 USD annually