📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Data Center Critical Facilities Engineer IV
Company: Equinix
Location: Amsterdam Z.O., Netherlands
Job Type: On-site
Category: Server Administration, Data Center Management
Date Posted: 2025-06-19
Experience Level: 5-10 years
Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

Lead and support the technical operations of Equinix data centers, ensuring high availability and reliability.
Maintain and manage critical infrastructure, including electrical, mechanical, security, and control systems.
Collaborate with subcontractors and provide technical guidance to team members.
Monitor alarms, perform preventive and corrective maintenance, and analyze failures to propose improvements.
Participate in projects, provide technical specifications, and advise on contract awards.
Ensure safety, efficiency, and compliance with Equinix procedures.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong technical background in data center infrastructure management, with a focus on electrical and mechanical systems. Experience with control systems, fire and security systems, and project management is also beneficial.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

Technical Infrastructure Management: Maintain and manage the technical facility management infrastructure, ensuring its optimal performance and availability.
Alarm Monitoring: Monitor alarms and respond to notifications promptly to minimize downtime and ensure data center integrity.
Maintenance: Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on data center infrastructure, following Equinix procedures and best practices.
Project Participation: Contribute to various projects, from modifications to new constructions, by providing technical specifications, evaluating quotes, and advising on contract awards.
Team Support: Act as a point of contact and support for team members, providing guidance and coaching as needed.
Reporting: Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly status reports to the Technical Facility Manager, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Training: Train new employees and share knowledge within the CFE team, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Completed MBO education in a technical field.

Experience:

Proven work experience as a maintenance technician, facility manager, or service engineer.
Demonstrable experience in data center infrastructure management, with a focus on electrical and mechanical systems.
Experience in project management and team leadership.

Required Skills:

Technical expertise in data center infrastructure management.
Strong problem-solving skills and analytical mindset.
Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
Ability to work on-call shifts and respond to emergencies as needed.
Proficiency in using Asset Management Systems, such as Maximo.

Preferred Skills:

Experience with control systems, fire and security systems, and other data center-specific technologies.
Knowledge of industry best practices and standards, such as ASHRAE, TIA, and BICSI.
Familiarity with data center design and construction processes.
Fluency in English, with proficiency in additional languages being an asset.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated, having experience with specific data center technologies, such as uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), computer room air conditioning (CRAC), and computer room air handlers (CRAH), would be highly beneficial for this role.

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Demonstrate experience in data center infrastructure management through case studies, project descriptions, or testimonials.
Highlight problem-solving skills and ability to analyze and optimize data center systems.
Showcase experience in project management, including project planning, execution, and delivery.

Technical Documentation:

Provide documentation showcasing your understanding of data center infrastructure, including electrical, mechanical, and security systems.
Include examples of preventive and corrective maintenance procedures, as well as any improvements or optimizations you've implemented.
Demonstrate familiarity with Asset Management Systems, such as Maximo, by providing examples of work orders or maintenance reports.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The salary range for this role is estimated to be €55,000 - €70,000 per year, based on market research and industry standards for data center engineers in the Netherlands.

Benefits:

Competitive salary based on knowledge and experience.
27 days of leave, with the option to purchase 3 additional days.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan and Company Pension Plan.
Subsidised lunch provided on location (voluntary opt-in).

Working Hours: Full-time position, with on-call shifts required to ensure 24/7 data center availability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is an estimate and may vary depending on the candidate's experience, skills, and the company's internal salary structure. Research was conducted using data from Glassdoor, Payscale, and Indeed, as well as regional salary standards for data center engineers in the Netherlands.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Equinix operates in the data center and colocation industry, providing data center services to businesses worldwide.

Company Size: Equinix is a large, global company with over 260 data centers across the globe. This size offers opportunities for career growth and exposure to diverse projects.

Founded: Equinix was founded in 1998 and has since grown to become a leading global data center provider.

Team Structure:

The data center team consists of various roles, including Critical Facilities Engineers, Data Center Technicians, and Facilities Management personnel.
The team works closely with other departments, such as IT, Security, and Sales, to ensure the smooth operation and growth of the data centers.

Development Methodology:

Equinix follows industry best practices for data center management, including preventive maintenance, regular inspections, and continuous improvement.
The company uses Asset Management Systems, such as Maximo, to track and manage data center infrastructure and maintenance activities.

Company Website: https://www.equinix.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Equinix's global presence and extensive data center portfolio offer opportunities for career growth and exposure to diverse projects. The company's focus on industry best practices and continuous improvement fosters a culture of learning and development.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Data Center Engineer Career Level: This role is at the senior level within the data center engineer career path. It requires a high level of technical expertise and experience in data center infrastructure management.

Reporting Structure: The Data Center Critical Facilities Engineer IV reports directly to the Technical Facility Manager and may have supervisory responsibilities for junior engineers or technicians.

Technical Impact: This role has a significant impact on the overall performance and reliability of Equinix's data centers. The engineer's decisions and actions directly influence data center availability, power consumption, and cooling efficiency.

Growth Opportunities:

Technical Specialization: Pursue advanced certifications or specializations in data center technologies, such as Uptime Institute's data center design or operation certifications.
Team Leadership: Develop leadership skills and take on supervisory or management roles within the data center team.
Cross-functional Collaboration: Expand your knowledge and skills by working on projects that involve other departments, such as IT, Security, or Sales.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers opportunities for career growth through technical specialization, team leadership, and cross-functional collaboration. The large, global company offers exposure to diverse projects and a wide range of technologies.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Equinix's data centers are industrial facilities designed to house and protect critical IT infrastructure. The work environment is typically clean, well-organized, and maintained to high standards.

Office Location(s): The data center is located in Amsterdam Z.O., Netherlands. The specific address will be provided upon hiring.

Workspace Context:

Data Center Floor: The data center floor is where the critical IT infrastructure is housed. It is a controlled environment with specific temperature, humidity, and air quality requirements.
Server Rooms: Server rooms house the racks and cabinets containing the customers' IT equipment. They are typically secured and accessed using biometric or proximity card systems.
Support Spaces: Data centers also include support spaces, such as offices, meeting rooms, and break areas, to accommodate the data center team and visitors.

Work Schedule: This role requires a full-time on-site presence, with on-call shifts to ensure 24/7 data center availability. The work schedule may include weekends and holidays as needed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The data center work environment is highly specialized and requires a strong focus on safety, security, and precision. The on-call shift requirement ensures that data center engineers are available to respond to emergencies and maintain data center availability at all times.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

Phone/Video Screen: A brief conversation to discuss your experience, qualifications, and career goals. Be prepared to answer questions about your data center experience and technical expertise.
On-site Tour & Technical Assessment: Visit the data center for a tour and a hands-on assessment of your technical skills. This may include tasks such as troubleshooting electrical or mechanical systems, analyzing data center floor plans, or evaluating alarm systems.
Behavioral Interview: Discuss your problem-solving skills, teamwork, and adaptability in a data center environment. Provide examples of how you've handled challenges or made improvements in your previous roles.
Final Interview: Meet with the hiring manager or a panel of data center team members to discuss your fit for the role and the team. Be prepared to ask insightful questions about the company, the team, or the data center's specific needs.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Highlight your experience in data center infrastructure management, including electrical, mechanical, and security systems.
Include case studies or project descriptions that demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to optimize data center systems.
Showcase your experience with Asset Management Systems, such as Maximo, by providing examples of work orders or maintenance reports.
Emphasize your understanding of data center best practices, industry standards, and safety protocols.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

Brush up on your knowledge of data center infrastructure, including electrical, mechanical, and security systems.
Familiarize yourself with industry best practices, such as ASHRAE, TIA, and BICSI guidelines.
Practice troubleshooting exercises and scenario-based questions to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and technical expertise.

ATS Keywords: (Organized by category)

Data Center Technologies: Data center, colocation, critical facilities, electrical, mechanical, security, control systems, fire, alarm, UPS, CRAC, CRAH, PDU, RPP, ATS, Genset, BMS, DCIM, Maximo, TIA, ASHRAE, BICSI
Soft Skills: Problem-solving, teamwork, communication, adaptability, leadership, coaching, mentoring, project management
Industry Terms: PUE, DCiE, data center efficiency, data center availability, data center reliability, data center resiliency, data center design, data center construction, data center operation

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for this role is designed to assess your technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and cultural fit within the data center team. Prepare for hands-on assessments, behavioral interviews, and final discussions with the hiring manager or team members.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Data Center Infrastructure:

Electrical Systems: UPS, PDU, RPP, ATS, Genset, electrical distribution units (EDUs), switchgear, circuit breakers, fuses, and electrical cabling.
Mechanical Systems: CRAC, CRAH, computer room air handlers (CRAHs), computer room air conditioners (CRACs), chilled water systems, cooling towers, and humidification systems.
Security Systems: Biometric and proximity card access systems, CCTV, intrusion detection systems, and fire suppression systems.
Control Systems: Building Management Systems (BMS), Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) tools, and other building automation systems.

Asset Management Systems:

Maximo: Equinix uses Maximo for asset management, work order management, and preventive maintenance scheduling.

📝 Enhancement Note: Familiarity with these data center technologies and systems is essential for this role. Having experience with specific brands or models of equipment is a plus, as it demonstrates your hands-on expertise in data center infrastructure management.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Data Center Team Values:

Safety First: Prioritize the safety of the data center team, visitors, and the critical IT infrastructure.
Reliability: Ensure the continuous availability and reliability of the data center infrastructure.
Collaboration: Work closely with other data center team members, as well as representatives from IT, Security, and Sales, to maintain a well-run and efficient data center.
Continuous Improvement: Regularly review and optimize data center processes, systems, and technologies to enhance performance and efficiency.

Collaboration Style:

Teamwork: Data center teams work closely together to maintain the data center infrastructure, respond to emergencies, and ensure high availability.
Cross-functional Collaboration: Data center teams collaborate with other departments, such as IT, Security, and Sales, to ensure the smooth operation and growth of the data centers.
Knowledge Sharing: Data center team members share their expertise and experiences to foster a culture of learning and continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The data center team values safety, reliability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Working effectively within this team requires strong communication, teamwork, and adaptability.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

Electrical System Optimization: Identify and implement improvements to enhance electrical system efficiency, reliability, and resiliency.
Cooling System Optimization: Analyze and optimize cooling systems to improve energy efficiency and maintain optimal data center temperature and humidity.
Security System Enhancement: Evaluate and enhance security systems to protect critical IT infrastructure and ensure data center integrity.
Emergency Response: Develop and refine emergency response plans to minimize downtime and ensure data center availability during unexpected events.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Technical Training: Pursue advanced certifications or specializations in data center technologies, such as Uptime Institute's data center design or operation certifications.
On-the-Job Training: Learn from experienced data center team members through mentoring, coaching, and knowledge-sharing sessions.
Industry Events: Attend industry conferences, workshops, or webinars to stay up-to-date with the latest data center technologies, best practices, and trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers opportunities to tackle technical challenges, optimize data center systems, and enhance security measures. Additionally, the data center team fosters a culture of learning and continuous improvement, providing ample opportunities for professional growth and development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

Electrical Systems: Describe your experience with electrical systems in a data center environment. How have you optimized electrical system efficiency, reliability, and resiliency?
Cooling Systems: Explain your understanding of data center cooling systems. How have you analyzed and optimized cooling systems to improve energy efficiency and maintain optimal data center temperature and humidity?
Security Systems: Discuss your experience with data center security systems. How have you evaluated and enhanced security measures to protect critical IT infrastructure and ensure data center integrity?
Emergency Response: Describe your approach to developing and refining emergency response plans. How have you minimized downtime and ensured data center availability during unexpected events?

Company & Culture Questions:

Data Center Culture: Explain how you've contributed to a positive and productive data center team culture in your previous roles. How do you foster collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and continuous improvement?
Data Center Best Practices: Describe your understanding of industry best practices, such as ASHRAE, TIA, and BICSI guidelines. How have you implemented these best practices in your previous roles?
Data Center Design & Construction: Discuss your experience with data center design and construction processes. How have you contributed to the successful delivery of data center projects?

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Data Center Infrastructure: Highlight your experience with data center infrastructure, including electrical, mechanical, and security systems. Include case studies or project descriptions that demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to optimize data center systems.
Technical Documentation: Showcase your understanding of data center best practices, industry standards, and safety protocols by providing examples of preventive and corrective maintenance procedures, work orders, or maintenance reports.
Emergency Response Planning: Demonstrate your approach to developing and refining emergency response plans by providing examples of how you've minimized downtime and ensured data center availability during unexpected events.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for this role focuses on assessing your technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and cultural fit within the data center team. Prepare for hands-on assessments, behavioral interviews, and final discussions with the hiring manager or team members.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Data Center Critical Facilities Engineer IV position:

Submit your application through the application link provided.
Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight your experience in data center infrastructure management, including electrical, mechanical, and security systems. Include case studies or project descriptions that demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to optimize data center systems.
Resume Optimization: Update your resume to emphasize your technical expertise in data center infrastructure management, as well as your problem-solving skills, teamwork, and adaptability. Highlight your experience with specific data center technologies, systems, and industry best practices.
Technical Interview Preparation: Familiarize yourself with data center technologies, systems, and industry best practices. Practice troubleshooting exercises and scenario-based questions to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and technical expertise. Prepare for hands-on assessments, behavioral interviews, and final discussions with the hiring manager or team members.
Company Research: Learn about Equinix's data center portfolio, industry presence, and company culture. Research the specific data center in Amsterdam Z.O. and its unique requirements and challenges.

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

Data Center Critical Facilities Engineer IV