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Data Center Chief Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

The Data Center Chief Engineer will lead a 24x7 team of operating engineers. It is expected that the Chief Engineer consistently demonstrates their Mission Critical Experience, Leadership ...

The Data Center Chief Engineer will lead a 24x7 team of operating engineers. It is expected that the Chief Engineer consistently demonstrates their Mission Critical Experience, Leadership ...

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Data Center Chief Engineer information

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$32.5K

$92.9K

$181K

How much do data center chief engineer jobs pay per year?

As of May 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for data center chief engineer in the United States is $92,945.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $59,000.00 and $120,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Data Center Chief Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Data Center Chief Engineer, you need deep expertise in electrical and mechanical systems, critical facility management, and typically a degree in engineering or a related field. Familiarity with building management systems (BMS), data center infrastructure management (DCIM) software, and relevant certifications like PMP or Uptime Institute credentials are highly valued. Strong leadership, problem-solving, and effective communication skills set exceptional professionals apart in this role. These skills ensure the reliable operation, maintenance, and scalability of mission-critical data center environments.

What are some common challenges faced by a Data Center Chief Engineer, and how can they be addressed?

A Data Center Chief Engineer often faces challenges related to maintaining uptime, ensuring energy efficiency, and managing rapidly evolving technology. Balancing the need for continuous operation with scheduled maintenance requires strong organizational and communication skills. Additionally, adapting to new cooling, power, and security technologies means staying current with industry trends and regularly training the team. Effective collaboration with IT, facilities, and security teams is essential to address these challenges and ensure the data center runs smoothly.

What are Data Center Chief Engineers?

Data Center Chief Engineers are senior professionals responsible for overseeing the operation, maintenance, and reliability of data center facilities. They manage critical infrastructure such as power, cooling, and security systems to ensure uninterrupted service. Their role involves supervising engineering teams, coordinating repairs or upgrades, implementing safety protocols, and optimizing energy efficiency. Chief Engineers also play a key part in disaster recovery planning and compliance with industry standards. Their expertise helps ensure the data center runs smoothly and securely.

What is the difference between Data Center Chief Engineer vs Data Center Engineer?

AspectData Center Chief EngineerData Center Engineer
CertificationsLEED, HVAC, electrical licensesHVAC, electrical, or network certifications
Work EnvironmentOversees entire data center operations, management levelPerforms technical tasks, maintenance, and troubleshooting
ResponsibilitiesStrategic planning, system optimization, team leadershipEquipment installation, repairs, system monitoring

The Data Center Chief Engineer typically holds a higher-level role focused on management, strategy, and oversight, while the Data Center Engineer handles technical operations and maintenance. Both roles require relevant technical certifications and work in the data center environment, but the Chief Engineer has broader responsibilities and leadership duties.

More about Data Center Chief Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Data Center Chief Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Data Center Chief Engineer job openings:
What states have the most Data Center Chief Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Data Center Chief Engineer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Data Center Chief Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, and 17% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $92,945 per year, or $44.7 per hour.
Data Center Chief Engineer

Data Center Chief Engineer

Amazon

Boardman, OR

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago


Amazon rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 6,784 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7th of 39 rated national retailers


Job description

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 of equipment, daily corrective work, and emergency response. The CE serves as an expert technical resource 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 AWS.


AWS Infrastructure Services owns the design, planning, delivery, and operation of all AWS global infrastructure. In other words, we're the people who keep the cloud running. We support all AWS data centers and all the servers, storage, networking, power, and cooling equipment that ensure our customers have continual access to the innovation they rely on.

We work on the most challenging problems, with thousands of variables impacting the supply chain - and we're looking for talented people who want to help.
You'll join a diverse team of software, hardware, and network engineers, supply chain specialists, security experts, operations managers, and other vital roles. You'll collaborate with people across AWS to help us deliver the highest standards for safety and security while providing seemingly infinite capacity at the lowest possible cost for our customers.

And you'll experience an inclusive culture that welcomes bold ideas and empowers you to own them to completion.
NOTE: 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).
NOTE: Relocation assistance will be provided to eligible candidates who relocate for this position.


Key job responsibilities
Act as the primary escalation point for all facilities-related issues. Oversee operation and management of routine and emergency services on a variety of critical systems such as switchgear, generators, UPS systems, power distribution equipment, chillers, cooling towers, computer room air handlers, building monitoring systems, etc.
Perform root cause analysis of equipment failures and troubleshooting of facility within internal Service Level Agreements (SLA).


Provide training and guidance to Engineering Operations Technicians and are responsible for working with Facility Manager (FM) to set team culture.
Create and deploy new standard practices for Engineering Operations Technicians, Chief Engineers, and vendor support teams
May assist in the building out of new facilities and assist in projects to increase current facility efficiency
Working outside of normal business hours for routine maintenance as required, including responding to out-of-hours emergency calls.
Communicate complex technical information to a non-technical audience.


Work with IT managers and other business leaders to coordinate projects, manage capacity, and optimize plant safety, performance, reliability and efficiency
Ensure all safety procedures are adhered to by vendor and Amazon staff
Establish building performance benchmarks, conduct analyses, and prepare reports on all aspects of the critical facility of operations and maintenance.
Utilize Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook and other basic administrative tools to perform day-to-day tasks
Physical Requirements:
Willingness and demonstrated ability to work in the following physical conditions with reasonable accommodation:
Regularly lift and/or move up to 39 pounds independently
Participate in group lifts for 40+ pounds
Maintain balance and perform construction tasks while 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 provided ear protection
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.
About the team
Why AWS
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world's most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform. We pioneered cloud computing and never stopped innovating - that's why customers from the most successful startups to Global 500 companies trust our robust suite of products and services to power their businesses.
Diverse Experiences
AWS values diverse experiences

Even if you do not meet all of the preferred qualifications and skills listed in the job description, we encourage candidates to apply. If your career is just starting, hasn't followed a traditional path, or includes alternative experiences, don't let it stop you from applying.
Inclusive Team Culture
AWS values curiosity and connection. Our employee-led and company-sponsored affinity groups promote inclusion and empower our people to take pride in what makes us unique

Our inclusion events foster stronger, more collaborative teams. Our continual innovation is fueled by the bold ideas, fresh perspectives, and passionate voices our teams bring to everything we do.
Mentorship and Career Growth
We're continuously raising our performance bar as we strive to become Earth's Best Employer. That's why you'll find endless knowledge-sharing, mentorship and other career-advancing resources here to help you develop into a better-rounded professional.


What Amazon employees say

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Get the full story on Breakroom


Amazon logo

About Amazon

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Amazon.com, Inc., commonly known as Amazon, is an American multinational technology company. It was founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994 and initially started as an online marketplace for books. Since then, Amazon has expanded its operations and become one of the largest e-commerce companies in the world. Amazon's primary business is its online retail platform, where customers can purchase a vast array of products, including electronics, clothing, books, home goods, and much more. The company offers a convenient and user-friendly shopping experience, with features such as fast shipping, customer reviews, and personalized recommendations. In addition to its e-commerce platform, Amazon has diversified its business into various other areas. One of its notable ventures is Amazon Web Services (AWS), a comprehensive cloud computing platform that provides services such as storage, compute power, and database management to individuals and businesses. AWS has become a leader in the cloud computing industry, powering many websites and applications worldwide. Amazon has also developed its own consumer electronics, including the popular Amazon Kindle e-reader, Fire tablets, Fire TV streaming devices, and the Alexa-powered Echo smart speakers. The Alexa voice assistant, integrated into these devices, allows users to interact with their devices using voice commands, perform tasks, and access information. Furthermore, Amazon has expanded into media and entertainment. It operates Prime Video, a streaming service that offers a wide range of movies, TV shows, and original content. Amazon Music provides a platform for streaming and purchasing digital music, while Audible offers audiobooks and other audio content. The company's commitment to customer satisfaction and convenience is demonstrated by its membership program, Amazon Prime. Prime members receive various benefits, including free two-day shipping, access to streaming services, exclusive deals, and more.

Industry

It services, book publishers, retail, real estate and computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Seattle, WA, US