Assistant Chief Engineer

Data Center Assistant Chief Engineer Job Description

A Data Center Assistant Chief Engineer is responsible for supporting the Chief Engineer in managing the critical infrastructure and mechanical/electrical systems that ensure continuous uptime and optimal performance of data center operations. This mission-critical role demands extensive technical expertise in high-availability environments where system failures can result in significant business impact.

Critical Systems Management The Assistant Chief Engineer oversees the operation and maintenance of mission-critical data center infrastructure including redundant HVAC systems, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), emergency generators, electrical distribution systems, fire suppression systems, and building management systems (BMS). They ensure all systems maintain 99.99%+ uptime through rigorous preventive maintenance and proactive monitoring.

24/7 Operations Support This position requires managing round-the-clock operations to maintain continuous service availability. Responsibilities include coordinating shift schedules, responding to critical alarms and emergencies, implementing hot-swap procedures for equipment replacement without downtime, and maintaining detailed incident logs and reporting systems.

Preventive and Predictive Maintenance Developing and executing comprehensive maintenance programs for all critical infrastructure is essential. This includes thermal imaging inspections, power quality analysis, load testing of backup systems, filter changes, oil analysis, battery monitoring, and documentation of all maintenance activities in CMMS platforms.

Capacity Planning and Energy Management The Assistant Chief Engineer monitors power and cooling capacity, tracks utilization trends, and provides input on infrastructure expansion planning. They implement energy optimization strategies, monitor Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) metrics, and identify opportunities to improve efficiency while maintaining redundancy requirements.

Team Leadership and Training Supervising and mentoring facilities technicians and engineers includes developing technical competencies, ensuring proper safety procedures, coordinating cross-training programs, and acting as Chief Engineer when needed. Strong leadership in high-pressure situations is critical.

Vendor and Change Management Managing relationships with equipment manufacturers, service contractors, and utility providers is essential. The role includes overseeing planned maintenance windows, coordinating system upgrades with minimal impact, reviewing and approving change requests, and ensuring all work meets Tier III/IV data center standards.

Education and Experience Typically requires 7-10 years of experience in critical facilities or data center environments with at least 2-3 years in a supervisory capacity. A bachelor's degree in electrical or mechanical engineering, facilities management, or related technical field is preferred, though equivalent experience may be considered.

Technical Expertise Comprehensive knowledge of data center infrastructure is essential, including:

• High-voltage electrical systems (480V/277V, 13.2kV distribution)
• UPS systems (500kW+ capacity), battery banks, and power distribution units
• N+1, 2N, and 2N+1 redundancy configurations
• Precision cooling systems (CRAC/IDAPR DX Systems)
• Diesel generators and automatic transfer switches (ATS)
• Fire suppression systems (FM-200, Inergen, pre-action sprinkler)
• Environmental monitoring and BMS platforms

Certifications and Licenses Required certifications often include stationary engineer license (appropriate class for facility size), electrical license, and data center-specific credentials such as Certified Data Centre Professional (CDCP), Data Center Certified Associate (DCCA), or equivalent. OSHA safety certifications and arc flash training are typically mandatory.

Critical Competencies Success requires exceptional troubleshooting abilities under pressure, strong understanding of ITIL change management processes, proficiency with CMMS and DCIM (Data Center Infrastructure Management) software, excellent…