Equinix

Technical Global Categories Director

Equinix$177K — $265K *
Telecommunications & Hardware
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 15+ years in data center or mission-critical infrastructure.
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering with comprehensive project lifecycle experience.
  • Proven track record in developing global category strategies and supplier management.
  • Experience in capacity management, pre-buy programs, and risk mitigation.
  • Strong familiarity with IEC, IEEE, ASHRAE, NFPA standards and commissioning practices.
  • Executive presence and commercial acumen with a focus on data-driven decisions.

Responsibilities

  • Define global category vision and strategy for electrical, mechanical, and critical systems.
  • Maintain multi-vendor strategies to mitigate sole-sourcing risks across regions.
  • Develop product insertion frameworks with qualification checks and validation protocols.
  • Establish technical standards and specifications across all categories globally.
  • Drive quality assurance through structured audits and supplier performance metrics.
  • Engage stakeholders internally and externally for cohesive product development and deployment.
  • Report on key metrics relating to capacity, delivery timelines, and cost savings.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive insurance plans for health, life, and disability.
  • Retirement plan contributions for financial future planning.
  • Accrued paid time off and paid holidays for work-life balance.
  • Employee Assistance Program available for all staff.
  • Competitively structured benefits in line with core company values.
Full Job Description


Job Summary
Who are we?

At Equinix, we make the internet work faster, better, and more reliable. We hire hardworking people who thrive on solving hard problems and give them opportunities to hone new skills, try new approaches, and grow in new directions. Our culture is at the heart of our success, and it's our authentic, humble, gritty people who craft The Magic of Equinix. They share a real passion for winning and put the customer at the center of everything they do.

If you are looking to join a company that can offer long term career opportunities on a global scale backed by a positive and high-energy culture, then Equinix is the place for you.

Under Global Leadership

Leads global technical categories across Major Capital Equipment (MCE)-spanning electrical, mechanical, and critical infrastructure systems-with accountability for strategy, global supplier portfolio, capacity/pre-buy, standardization, cost, on-time delivery (OTD), and quality.

Core scope includes:
  • Electrical: MV/LV switchgear, transformers, PDUs/RPPs, busways, ATS/STS, grid/substation interfaces
  • Mechanical: chillers, cooling towers, CRAH/CRAC units, pumps, heat exchangers, liquid cooling systems
  • Critical Systems: generators, UPS, battery systems (BESS/VRLA/Li-ion), integrated power/cooling modules
  • Strong interface with Integrated Products, Grid Solutions, Design Engineering, and Commissioning teams to deliver scalable, standardized, and resilient infrastructure.


The Technical Global Categories Director (Mechanical, Electrical & Critical Systems) will own the end-to-end global category strategy and execution across technical disciplines.

Build diversified supplier capacity, drive pre-buy and fungibility strategies where feasible, and embed technical, safety, and commissioning rigor into supplier obligations. Deliver resilient supply, faster award-to-signature cycles, improved delivered quality, and measurable savings-while partnering cross-functionally to meet required on-site dates (ROS).

Responsibilities

Category Strategy
  • Define global category vision and playbooks across electrical, mechanical, and critical systems
  • Establish vendor tiering, regionalization strategies, and risk posture by category
  • Maintain multi-vendor strategies and standardized equipment lists across regions (no sole sourcing) supported by capacity agreements
  • Align category strategies with campus, program, and weave planning globally
  • Develop structured product insertion framework including qualification checklist, site readiness criteria, commissioning validation, and lessons-learned feedback loop into global standards
  • Establish vendor manufacturing capability assessment and audit framework (capacity, quality systems, localization strategy, supply chain resilience) for for NPI approval and scaling


Capacity, Pre-Buy & Fungibility
  • Structure global capacity agreements (RoFR, minimum commitments, flexible windows)
  • Lead pre-buy strategies aligned to long-lead critical equipment
  • Account for engineering maturity (IFC vs preliminary design) to avoid rework or stranded inventory
  • Drive fungibility where feasible (e.g., CRAH/CRAC, UPS modules, PDUs, busways)
  • Clearly define non-fungible systems (e.g., large chillers, transformers, generators) with inventory risk controls


Technical Governance & Standards
  • Establish global technical standards and specification frameworks across categories
  • Embed safety requirements (e.g., electrical system studies (SCCS/Arc Flash,), DCOS points list adherence, mechanical safety, pressure systems compliance) into RFQs and contracts
  • Define clear demarcation/ownership matrices across OEMs, integrators, and GCs
  • Ensure alignment with IEC/IEEE/ASHRAE and regional regulatory requirements
  • Drive cross-functional alignment across Electrical and Mechanical disciplines with cross functional stakeholders (GOE, Eng Dev, GDC, Cx, Ops, Commercial) to productize new equipment into repeatable reference designs
  • Translate pilot/NPI learnings into standardized reference architectures (e.g., MV UPS, SST, CDU-integrated systems)
  • Ensure early design validation with commissioning and operations teams (maintainability, access, redundancy philosophy) through FOAK and standard company processes
  • Embed lessons learned from EMEA/APAC/AMER deployments into global specifications and templates


Supplier Quality & Commissioning Readiness
  • Ensure suppliers deliver commissioning-ready systems (FAT, IST, CTB/CTS evidence)
  • Embed traceability, testing coverage, and lifecycle quality requirements into contracts
  • Prevent late-stage commissioning risks through OEM receipt inspection and preservation controls
  • Drive consistent quality frameworks across electrical and mechanical scopes
  • Standardize global QMS and supplier requirements (ISO alignment, ITPs, FAT/FOAK rigor, traceability, and digital turnover documentation) across all regions and categories
  • Implement structured manufacturing quality audits covering factory capability (MCR), critical processes, sub-tier controls, and recurring surveillance
  • Track and govern vendor quality performance via KPIs (DPU, OTD-Q, FAT pass rates, field failures) with centralized dashboards tied to sourcing decisions
  • Establish closed-loop quality improvement linking field/commissioning data to RCA, design updates, and continuous refinement of specifications and manufacturing processes


Sourcing & Commercials
  • Own global frameworks and commercial strategy across all technical categories, including driving cost reduction through quality improvement, standardization, and minimization of equipment SKUs to maximize utilization across reference designs
  • Standardize RFQ packages and technical/commercial evaluation methodologies
  • Drive total cost of ownership optimization through standardization, VE, quality issue reduction and scale leverage
  • Partner with Regional Procurement for local execution and supplier development


Stakeholder Engagement
  • Internal: GDC Design, Construction, Commissioning (Cx), Global Operations Engineering (GOE), Integrated Products, Regional Procurement, Finance, Legal
  • External: OEMs, system integrators, testing labs, commissioning agents


Executive Communications & Reporting
  • Monthly category QBRs and quarterly executive roll-ups (GOLT/GFR)
  • Track and report
  • Capacity secured
  • OTD to ROS
  • Award-to-signature cycle time
  • Savings performance
  • Supplier diversification
  • Delivered quality and defect rates


Role-Specific Expectations & Scope
  • Global accountability across multi-billion-dollar MCE categories
  • Drive cross-category standardization and SKU rationalization
  • Enable transition from bespoke ("snowflake") solutions to scalable, repeatable architectures
  • Maintain 60#8805;3 qualified vendors per category/region with defined share allocations


Work Model / Travel

Hybrid; 20-35% travel to suppliers, factories, and key project sites globally

Qualifications
  • 15+ years in data center or mission-critical infrastructure across electrical, mechanical, and critical systems
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering (ME) or Electrical Engineering (EE) with end-to-end project lifecycle experience spanning design, construction, commissioning, and operations
  • Proven experience building global category strategies and managing multi-region supplier networks
  • Demonstrated success in capacity management, pre-buy programs, and supply risk mitigation
  • Strong knowledge of IEC, IEEE, ASHRAE, NFPA, and commissioning practices
  • Executive presence, strong commercial acumen, and data-driven decision making


The targeted pay range for this position in the following location is / locations are:

United States - Dallas Infomart Office DAI : 177,000 - 265,000 USD / Annual

Canada - Toronto Office TRO : 182,000 - 272,000 CAD / Annual

Our pay ranges reflect the minimum and maximum target for new hire pay for the full-time position determined by role, level, and location.The pay range shown is based on our compensation structure in place at the time of posting and may be updated periodically based on business needs. Individual pay is based on additional factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education and/or training.

The targeted pay range listed reflects the base pay only and does not include bonus, equity, or benefits. Employees are eligible for bonus, and equity may be offered depending on the position.

Equinix Benefits

As an employee, you become important to Equinix's success. We ensure all your benefits are in line with our core values: competitive, inclusive, sustainable, connected and efficient. We keep them competitive within the current marketplace to ensure we're providing you with the best package possible. So, wherever you are in your career and life, you'll be able to enhance your experience and bring your whole self to work.

Employee Assistance Program: An Employee Assistance program is available to all employees.
US Benefits: - Insurance: You may enroll in health, life, disability and voluntary plans that are designed for you and your eligible family members. - Retirement: You and Equinix may contribute to a retirement plan to help you plan for your financial future. - Paid Time Off (PTO) and Paid Holidays: You will receive an accrued amount of PTO each pay period along with various paid holidays for you to rest and recharge. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific plan or program terms.Canada Core Benefits: - Insurance: You may enroll in healthcare coverage that is designed to complement the provincial healthcare system, along with life, disability and optional benefit plans that are designed for you and your eligible family members. - Retirement: You may also enroll in Equinix-sponsored retirement or savings plans: Defined Contribution Pension Plan (DCPP), Group Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and Tax-Free Savings Plan (TSFA). - Vacation and Paid Holidays: Equinix offers both vacation and personal time, along with various paid holidays for you to rest and recharge. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits. Benefits are subject to specific plan or program terms, and to change at Equinix discretion.

About Equinix

Equinix is an internet company that provides data center services for companies, businesses, and organizations. It offers a software application platform designed for digital businesses that help its users to connect to their customers, employees, and partners. The company was founded in 1998 and headquartered in Redwood City, California.

Equinix Careers

Join the vibrant team at Equinix, the world's digital infrastructure company, and be part of a dynamic network of professionals dedicated to redefining the future of the internet. At Equinix, we offer unparalleled job opportunities in an environment that celebrates innovation, leadership, and diversity. Work You’ll Do At Equinix, we empower you to drive your career path forward with a range of employment opportunities, from internships to full-time positions. Our team is at the forefront of digital transformation, providing the infrastructure that powers over 10,000 of the world's leading businesses. Transform your career with Equinix by engaging in work that matters. Our global platform spans across multiple continents, offering you the chance to collaborate with some of the brightest minds in technology and consulting. Lead with Innovation Equinix stands at the intersection of technology, networking, and digital innovation. As a member of our team, you will use your skills to help companies navigate their digital journeys and transform their strategies to thrive in the digital age. Join a team of over 10,000 dedicated professionals worldwide and work on groundbreaking projects that redefine how businesses connect globally. Our leadership in the industry is driven by a commitment to innovation and excellence. Explore Equinix’s Professional Growth and Benefits At Equinix, we believe in nurturing the growth of our employees through comprehensive professional and diversity training programs. Our benefits are designed to support the well-being and continuous growth of our team members, both professionally and personally. Future-proof your career with Equinix’s robust training programs, which are tailored to help you acquire new skills and advance within the company. From technical skills to leadership development, Equinix is committed to your professional growth. Be Part of Our Culture Equinix’s culture is centered on fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment where every team member’s contribution is valued. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Our team thrives on creativity and collaboration, and we believe that every team member brings a unique perspective that is crucial for our innovation and success. Join us and be part of a culture that encourages curiosity, creativity, and continuous learning. Stay Connected with Equinix Careers Discover the exciting career opportunities waiting for you at Equinix. Search open positions that match your skills and interests. We are always looking for passionate, curious, and solution-driven team players. Keep up to date with the latest industry trends, career tips, and insights from Equinix professionals through our Careers Blog. Personalize your experience by subscribing to job alert emails, tailored to your preferences and career goals. Join Equinix and transform your future while shaping the digital landscape. Explore job opportunities, submit your resume, and prepare for an interview that could lead to the next exciting chapter in your career. At Equinix, your potential is limitless. SEARCH EQUIINIX JOBS READ CAREERS BLOG Job Alert Emails Tailor your subscription to receive job alerts, latest news, and insider tips directly related to your career interests. Discover the rewarding opportunities that await at Equinix.
Learn more about Equinix
Size
10,944 employees
Market Cap
$60.3 billion
Industry
Net Income
$369.7 million
Founded
1998
5 Year Trend
+12.9%
Revenue
$5.9 billion
NASDAQ

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