📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Data Center Chief Engineer
Company: Amazon
Location: Haymarket, Virginia, United States
Job Type: On-site
Category: Server Administration & Infrastructure
Date Posted: 2025-07-31
Experience Level: 5-10 years
Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

Lead the operation and maintenance of Amazon's critical data center infrastructure, ensuring high availability and reliability.
Troubleshoot complex electrical and mechanical systems, including switchgear, generators, UPS systems, and cooling equipment.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to manage projects, optimize plant safety, performance, and efficiency.
Provide training and guidance to Engineering Operations Technicians and set team culture with the Facility Manager.
Communicate complex technical information to non-technical stakeholders and coordinate projects with IT managers and business leaders.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong background in data center operations and a proven track record of managing critical infrastructure systems. Familiarity with Amazon's unique data center environment and commitment to high service level agreements (SLAs) is essential.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

Facility Management: Oversee the operation and management of routine and emergency services on various critical systems, ensuring they meet internal service level agreements (SLAs).
Troubleshooting & Root Cause Analysis: Perform root cause analysis of equipment failures and troubleshoot facility issues within internal SLAs.
Team Leadership & Training: Provide training and guidance to Engineering Operations Technicians and work with the Facility Manager to set team culture.
Standard Practice Development: Create and deploy new standard practices for Engineering Operations Technicians, Chief Engineers, and vendor support teams.
Project Management: Assist in the build-out of new facilities and projects to increase current facility efficiency. Work with IT managers and other business leaders to coordinate projects, manage capacity, and optimize plant safety, performance, reliability, and efficiency.
Safety & Communication: Ensure all safety procedures are adhered to by vendor and Amazon staff. Communicate complex technical information to non-technical stakeholders and coordinate projects with IT managers and business leaders.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires strong technical problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical team members and stakeholders.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A technical (military/trade school) training or degree in a relevant field such as electrical, mechanical, or a related discipline is preferred.

Experience: A minimum of 3 years of electrical or mechanical experience, with at least 3 years in data center or mission-critical facilities, is required. 4+ years of data center engineering experience is preferred.

Required Skills:

Proven experience in data center or mission-critical facilities operations and maintenance.
Strong electrical and mechanical troubleshooting skills.
Excellent communication and team leadership skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook.
Ability to work in physically demanding conditions with reasonable accommodations.

Preferred Skills:

4+ years of data center engineering experience.
Associates or Bachelor's Degree.
Experience leading a team.
Familiarity with Amazon's data center environment and high service level agreements (SLAs).

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates with a background in the military or trade school training, as well as relevant certifications (e.g., Data Center Design Professional, Certified Data Center Professional), may be at an advantage for this role.

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Demonstrate experience in data center operations and maintenance through case studies or project descriptions.
Highlight specific examples of troubleshooting complex electrical and mechanical systems.
Showcase team leadership and project management skills through past projects or initiatives.

Technical Documentation:

Provide detailed documentation of past data center projects, including system diagrams, equipment lists, and maintenance schedules.
Include any relevant certifications or training related to data center operations and maintenance.

📝 Enhancement Note: As this role focuses on data center infrastructure management, candidates should emphasize their experience with critical systems and high-availability environments in their portfolio.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The base pay for this position ranges from $83,100/year in Amazon's lowest geographic market up to $185,000/year in their highest geographic market. The salary range provided is an estimate based on Amazon's compensation structure and market research for data center chief engineer roles.

Benefits:

Medical, financial, and other employee benefits, as detailed on the Amazon employee benefits page.

Working Hours: This role requires working outside of normal business hours for routine maintenance and responding to out-of-hours emergency calls as needed.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary and benefits are subject to change and may vary based on the candidate's location, experience, and qualifications. It is recommended that candidates research regional salary standards and cost of living for a more accurate estimate.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Amazon operates in the e-commerce and cloud computing industries, with a strong focus on innovation, customer-centricity, and continuous improvement.

Company Size: Amazon is a large, global corporation with a diverse range of business units and a significant presence in the data center industry.

Founded: Amazon was founded in 1994 and has since grown into one of the world's largest and most influential companies.

Team Structure:

The Data Center Engineering Operations team maintains and operates Amazon's critical infrastructure systems.
The team consists of front-line responders, technicians, chief engineers, and facility managers who work together to ensure high availability and reliability.
The team collaborates with cross-functional groups, including engineering, automation, processing, and finance, both locally and globally.

Development Methodology:

Amazon follows a structured approach to data center operations and maintenance, with a focus on high service level agreements (SLAs) and continuous improvement.
The company utilizes Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook for day-to-day tasks and project management.
Amazon encourages a culture of learning and evolving, with a strong emphasis on testing and implementing new technology and work practices.

Company Website: Amazon.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Amazon's company culture is characterized by its customer-centric approach, continuous innovation, and commitment to high service level agreements (SLAs) in its data center operations.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Web Technology Career Level: This role is at the senior level, requiring a high degree of technical expertise and leadership skills. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in data center operations and maintenance, with experience managing critical infrastructure systems and leading teams.

Reporting Structure: The Chief Engineer reports directly to the Facility Manager and works closely with cross-functional teams, including IT managers and other business leaders.

Technical Impact: The Chief Engineer plays a crucial role in ensuring the high availability and reliability of Amazon's data center infrastructure. Their work directly impacts the performance, scalability, and security of Amazon's cloud computing services and e-commerce platforms.

Growth Opportunities:

Technical Specialization: Pursue advanced certifications and specializations in data center design, operations, or management to enhance technical expertise.
Team Leadership: Develop leadership skills through mentoring, coaching, and project management opportunities to advance to a Facility Manager or similar role.
Global Mobility: Explore opportunities to work in Amazon's data centers worldwide, gaining exposure to diverse teams and technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: Career growth in this role may involve advancing to a Facility Manager position, taking on more significant projects, or exploring opportunities in other business units within Amazon.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Amazon's data centers are state-of-the-art facilities designed to maintain high service level agreements (SLAs) and ensure the optimal performance of critical infrastructure systems.

Office Location(s): Haymarket, Virginia, United States

Workspace Context:

Physical Environment: Data center environments are physically demanding, requiring the ability to work in various conditions with reasonable accommodations.
Collaboration: Chief Engineers work closely with cross-functional teams, including technicians, facility managers, IT managers, and other business leaders, to coordinate projects and maintain high service level agreements (SLAs).
Technology Stack: Amazon's data centers utilize advanced electrical and mechanical systems, including switchgear, generators, UPS systems, cooling equipment, and building automation systems. Familiarity with these systems and relevant software tools is essential.

Work Schedule: This role requires working outside of normal business hours for routine maintenance and responding to out-of-hours emergency calls as needed. The work schedule may vary depending on the specific needs of the data center and the projects at hand.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment in Amazon's data centers is highly collaborative, with a strong focus on teamwork, communication, and continuous improvement.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

Technical Assessment: Candidates can expect a technical assessment focused on electrical and mechanical troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and data center operations and maintenance. This may include hands-on exercises, case studies, or problem-solving scenarios.
Behavioral & Situational Questions: Interviewers will ask behavioral and situational questions to assess the candidate's leadership, communication, and teamwork skills, as well as their ability to work in a high-pressure environment.
Final Evaluation: The final evaluation may involve a presentation or project proposal, allowing candidates to demonstrate their technical expertise and leadership skills.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Highlight specific examples of data center operations and maintenance experience, focusing on troubleshooting complex electrical and mechanical systems.
Include any relevant certifications or training related to data center operations and maintenance.
Emphasize team leadership and project management skills through past projects or initiatives.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

Brush up on electrical and mechanical troubleshooting skills, with a focus on data center-specific systems and high-availability environments.
Familiarize yourself with Amazon's data center environment and high service level agreements (SLAs).
Prepare for behavioral and situational questions by reflecting on past experiences and developing concise, structured responses.

ATS Keywords: [See the comprehensive list of relevant keywords in the "Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure" section below]

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for this role is designed to assess the candidate's technical expertise, leadership skills, and ability to work effectively in a high-pressure, collaborative environment.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Electrical & Mechanical Systems:

Switchgear
Generators
UPS systems
Power distribution equipment
Chillers
Cooling towers
Computer room air handlers
Building monitoring systems

Building Automation Systems:

Building automation systems (BAS)
Building management systems (BMS)
Data center infrastructure management (DCIM) software

Software Tools:

Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Outlook
Data center-specific software tools (e.g., DCIM, BMS, BAS)

📝 Enhancement Note: Familiarity with Amazon's data center environment and relevant software tools is essential for success in this role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Data Center Operations Values:

Reliability: Maintain high service level agreements (SLAs) and ensure the optimal performance of critical infrastructure systems.
Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities for improvement and drive initiatives to enhance data center efficiency and sustainability.
Collaboration: Work effectively with cross-functional teams, including technicians, facility managers, IT managers, and other business leaders, to coordinate projects and maintain high service level agreements (SLAs).
Customer-Centricity: Understand and prioritize the needs of Amazon's customers, ensuring that data center operations and maintenance align with business objectives.

Collaboration Style:

Cross-Functional Integration: Work closely with various teams, including engineering, automation, processing, and finance, to coordinate projects and manage capacity.
Code Review Culture: Encourage a culture of learning and continuous improvement, with a focus on knowledge sharing and technical mentoring.
Knowledge Sharing: Foster an environment where team members actively share their expertise and experiences to enhance overall team performance.

📝 Enhancement Note: Amazon's data center operations team values collaboration, continuous improvement, and customer-centricity, with a strong emphasis on maintaining high service level agreements (SLAs) and optimizing data center performance.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

High-Availability Environment: Maintain critical infrastructure systems with better than 99.999% uptime, ensuring minimal disruption to Amazon's cloud computing services and e-commerce platforms.
Emerging Technologies: Stay up-to-date with the latest data center technologies and best practices, integrating new solutions as needed to enhance performance, scalability, and sustainability.
Sustainability: Identify and implement energy-efficient solutions to reduce the environmental impact of Amazon's data center operations.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Technical Training: Pursue relevant certifications and training opportunities to enhance technical expertise in data center operations and maintenance.
Leadership Development: Develop leadership skills through mentoring, coaching, and project management opportunities to advance to a Facility Manager or similar role.
Global Exposure: Explore opportunities to work in Amazon's data centers worldwide, gaining exposure to diverse teams and technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technical challenges and growth opportunities in this role are driven by Amazon's commitment to high service level agreements (SLAs), continuous improvement, and sustainable data center operations.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

Electrical & Mechanical Troubleshooting: Describe your experience troubleshooting complex electrical and mechanical systems in a data center environment. Provide specific examples and the steps you took to resolve the issues.
Root Cause Analysis: Walk through a scenario where you performed root cause analysis on a data center equipment failure. Explain your approach and the outcome of your investigation.
Project Management: Discuss a data center project you managed, highlighting your approach to coordinating resources, managing timelines, and ensuring high service level agreements (SLAs) were met.

Company & Culture Questions:

Amazon's Data Center Environment: Explain your understanding of Amazon's data center environment and how you would ensure high service level agreements (SLAs) are maintained in this unique context.
Teamwork & Collaboration: Describe your experience working with cross-functional teams in a data center environment. Highlight specific examples of successful collaboration and the outcomes achieved.
Customer-Centricity: Explain how you prioritize the needs of Amazon's customers in your data center operations and maintenance responsibilities.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Data Center Operations & Maintenance: Highlight your experience in data center operations and maintenance, focusing on specific projects, case studies, or initiatives that demonstrate your technical expertise and leadership skills.
Team Leadership: Emphasize your ability to lead and mentor team members, driving improvements in data center efficiency, sustainability, and high service level agreements (SLAs).
Problem-Solving: Showcase your problem-solving skills through specific examples of data center challenges you've faced and how you overcame them.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation process for this role involves developing a deep understanding of Amazon's data center environment, high service level agreements (SLAs), and the technical challenges and growth opportunities specific to this role.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Data Center Chief Engineer position:

Submit your application through the Amazon Jobs website.
Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight specific examples of data center operations and maintenance experience, focusing on troubleshooting complex electrical and mechanical systems. Include any relevant certifications or training related to data center operations and maintenance.
Resume Optimization: Optimize your resume for data center chief engineer roles by emphasizing your technical expertise, leadership skills, and experience with critical infrastructure systems. Highlight your proficiency in relevant software tools and your ability to work effectively in a high-pressure, collaborative environment.
Technical Interview Preparation: Brush up on your electrical and mechanical troubleshooting skills, with a focus on data center-specific systems and high-availability environments. Familiarize yourself with Amazon's data center environment and high service level agreements (SLAs). Prepare for behavioral and situational questions by reflecting on past experiences and developing concise, structured responses.
Company Research: Conduct thorough research on Amazon's data center operations, high service level agreements (SLAs), and company culture. Be prepared to discuss your understanding of the data center environment and how you would ensure high service level agreements (SLAs) are maintained in this unique context.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and data center industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with Amazon before making application decisions.

Data Center Chief Engineer