Data Center Engineering Operations Chief Engineer, DCEO

Data Center Engineering Operations Chief Engineer, DCEO

Job ID: 10500496 | Amazon Data Services Italy S.R.L.

AWS Infrastructure Services (AIS)

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 of 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.

Amazon is looking for an energetic, detail-oriented individual to join our Data Center Engineering Operations Team in the Greater Milan Area. This committed group works to maintain the critical physical infrastructure that supports Amazon Web Services. Specifically, this team works to ensure that the data center’s MEP operates at 100% availability while maintaining first-class customer service to the teams and groups within the data centers.

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 both planned preventative maintenance of equipment, daily corrective work, and emergency response to emergent issues. 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 and to support Amazon within its owned and operated data centers.

Also expected from the CE is the ability to manage large scale impacting projects and new region support from conception to completion. These projects involve large amounts of independent work as well as collaboration with external support groups including engineering, automation, procurement, 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. The goals of such projects are for the CE to drive innovation and resiliency while reducing operational costs in the facilities.

The CE directs, trains and supports EOTs 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. This equipment includes, but is not limited to, stand‑by diesel generators, switchgear, UPSs, PDUs, AHUs, chillers, cooling towers, chemical treatment systems, pumps, motors, VFDs, and building automation systems.

The role will be based in the Greater Milan area, however flexibility is required to travel to other locations within the EMEA region if required.

Key job responsibilities

• Oversee the day‑to‑day operations and maintenance of mechanical and electrical equipment in data centers
• Assist in the design and build out of new facilities
• Act as an escalation point for all facilities‑related issues within the data center region and work OT hours as needed to support site stability
• Perform root cause analysis of equipment failures
• Troubleshoot and report of facility and data sever‑level events within internal SLA
• Create and deploy new standard practices for Engineering Operations Technicians, Chief Engineers, and vendor support teams
• Provide training and guidance to Engineering Operations Technicians and assisting in recruiting efforts for the same
• Ensure all safety procedures are adhered to by vendor and Amazon staff
• Utilize internal Change Management Systems to manage building workflows
• MV/LV Isolation to facilitate MV maintenance
• Provide metric availability reporting on a weekly basis

Candidate competencies and behaviors

• Ability to solve problems at their root, stepping back to understand the broader context.
• Aptitude for troubleshooting and problem solving.
• Ability to maintain SLAs through the implementation of proactive issue detection and immediate response.
• Proven experience of reading SLDs and control schematics.
• Ability to follow support procedures, system documentation, and issue tracking entries into a trouble ticket system.
• Shows good judgment and instincts in decision making.
• Ability to prioritize in complex, fast‑paced environment.
• Ability to demonstrate their ability to take ownership of technical issues brought to them by their customer base.

Physical Requirements

• Work at heights and from ladders.
• Perform physical tasks.
• Work in a noisy environment with ear protection.

Working location

Our data centers are located in remote areas outside Milan, where access via public transport may be limited. Therefore, a valid driving license is required for this role.

Work Schedule

This is a 100% in‑person onsite position due to the hands‑on nature of managing mission‑critical infrastructure. The role follows standard working hours (8 AM - 5 PM Milan time from Mo - Fri) with no shift work.

Working language

Please be advised that the interview process at AWS will be conducted in English, as we are an international team based in the Greater Milan area.

About the team

About AWS

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.

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.

Inclusive Team Culture

Here at AWS, it’s in our nature to learn and be curious. Our employee‑led affinity groups foster a culture of inclusion that empower us to be proud of our differences. Ongoing events and learning experiences, including our Conversations on Race and Ethnicity (CORE) and AmazeCon (gender diversity) conferences, inspire us to never stop embracing our uniqueness.

Mentorship & 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.

Work/Life Balance

We value work‑life harmony. Achieving success at work should never come at the expense of sacrifices at home, which is why we strive for flexibility as part of our working culture. When we feel supported in the workplace and at home, there’s nothing we can’t achieve in the cloud.

The applicable collective agreement for this role is CBA for employees of Telecommunication Sector. The position is classified at level 6 or above, depending on the candidate’s skills, competences and experience.

Basic Qualifications

• Speak, write, and read fluently in English
• Experience with computer skills, including proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Apprentice/trades certified or diploma in an Electrical field
• Demonstrate key electrical competencies (Practice & Theory)
• Knowledge of mechanical systems (Mechanical, HVAC systems, Controls)
• Ability to take full ownership of technical issues
• Willing to travel between Data center sites, and internationally if required

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in program or project management
• 3+ years of experience in operations and on‑call support for Data Center facilities / or Mission Critical Plants/ Production facilities
• An undergraduate degree in a technical field (EE, MechE, IndustrialE)

Amazon is an equal opportunities employer. We believe passionately that employing a diverse workforce is central to our success. We make recruiting decisions based on your experience and skills. We value your passion to discover, invent, simplify and build. Protecting your privacy and the security of your data is a longstanding top priority for Amazon. Please consult our Privacy Notice ( ) to know more about how we collect, use and transfer the personal data of our candidates.

Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.

The minimum gross base salary for this position is listed below. The base salary listed corresponds to working on a full‑time basis. For part‑time hours, the salary will be pro‑rated.

Amazon reserves the right to offer a higher salary and/or level, depending on the candidate's skills, competencies, and experience. Amazon's package may include a sign on payment. In addition, the candidate may be eligible to participate in a restricted stock unit scheme operated independently by Amazon.com Inc. in USA.

Your recruiting team will share final salary and any restricted stock unit scheme if applicable, depending on skills and requirements.

In addition to statutory benefits, and those applicable to the relevant CBA, company supplementary benefits may apply subject to further terms.

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.