Assistant Chief Engineer

JLL•Totowa, NJ

17h•Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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.
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.
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.
Exceptional troubleshooting abilities under pressure.
Strong understanding of ITIL change management processes.
Proficiency with CMMS and DCIM (Data Center Infrastructure Management) software.
Excellent documentation skills.
Clear communication with both technical teams and business stakeholders.
Flexibility for on-call rotations and emergency response is essential.
Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

A bachelor's degree in electrical or mechanical engineering, facilities management, or related technical field is preferred, though equivalent experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

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).
Ensures all systems maintain 99.99%+ uptime through rigorous preventive maintenance and proactive monitoring.
Manages round-the-clock operations to maintain continuous service availability.
Coordinates shift schedules, responds to critical alarms and emergencies, implements hot-swap procedures for equipment replacement without downtime, and maintains detailed incident logs and reporting systems.
Develops and executes comprehensive maintenance programs for all critical infrastructure, including 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.
Monitors power and cooling capacity, tracks utilization trends, and provides input on infrastructure expansion planning.
Implements energy optimization strategies, monitors Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) metrics, and identifies opportunities to improve efficiency while maintaining redundancy requirements.
Supervises and mentors facilities technicians and engineers, developing technical competencies, ensuring proper safety procedures, coordinating cross-training programs, and acting as Chief Engineer when needed.
Manages relationships with equipment manufacturers, service contractors, and utility providers.
Oversees planned maintenance windows, coordinates system upgrades with minimal impact, reviews and approves change requests, and ensures all work meets Tier III/IV data center standards.