Director, Critical Environments - Engineering

Cushman & Wakefield • Austin, TX

2d • $144,500 - $170,000

About The Position

The Director of Critical Environments - Engineering is part of the Corporate Critical Environments/Data Center central subject matter expert team. The role provides expertise to the critical solutions business and oversees critical-environment engineering and operational requirements across GOS C&W engineering, IFM, and data center platforms while supporting GOS critical accounts. The Director interacts closely with senior management, regional engineering management, and property management.

The position provides engineering oversight for data center environments, focusing on continuous uptime, system redundancy, mission-critical infrastructure standards, Tier-level compliance, and service-level requirements. It supports critical systems including power distribution, cooling, fire suppression, and building automation, and partners with operations teams, site stakeholders, and clients on continuity, incident response, performance, capacity planning, and scalability.

The role also supports regulatory compliance and audit readiness; develops and monitors technical programs, policies, and procedures; coordinates safety, quality, sustainability, energy management, and related requirements; and conducts site inspections and property, mechanical, electrical, and systems assessments. It provides leadership and consultation to operating staff, assists with project scoping, contract negotiations, and bid reviews, maintains a network of qualified consultants and service providers, and responds to requests from company leadership and clients. Travel is estimated at 30–40%.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Two-year technical degree plus 3 to 5 years of related experience and/or training, or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.
• Experience working in a data center environment.
• Minimum of 10 years of commercial property experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of management-level experience in facilities or property maintenance, engineering, building systems installation and operation, project management, and supervision of skilled trades and technical staff.
• Experience in building operations.
• Experience managing unionized and non-unionized employees.
• Operating Engineers License as required by local jurisdictions, or equivalent.
• Technical proficiency in mechanical, electrical, and control systems used in the property management industry.
• Expertise in property operations, management, and cost controls.
• Knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply applicable commercial building codes and standards.
• Experience reading and interpreting blueprints, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and BAS SOO.
• Strong understanding of project management processes.
• Basic computing skills in Outlook, Excel, and Word.
• Functional and technical knowledge of building system operation, with proficiency in plumbing, HVAC, and electrical distribution systems.
• Ability to prepare and present detailed reports on building operations and systems, write professional business correspondence and procedural manuals, and present information effectively to managers, clients, and internal and external customers.
• Ability to define problems, assess relevant information, establish facts, draw conclusions, implement solutions and repairs, and delegate work to appropriate personnel.
• Ability to interpret technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and work with abstract and concrete variables.
• Ability to travel an estimated 30–40%.

Nice To Haves

• Completion of technical school study relating to HVAC design and maintenance is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide engineering support and oversight in data center environments, ensuring uptime, redundancy, and adherence to mission-critical standards, Tier-level compliance, and SLA requirements.
• Lead engineering efforts supporting power distribution, cooling infrastructure, fire suppression, and building automation systems.
• Partner with data center operations teams, site stakeholders, and client representatives on business continuity, incident response, and performance optimization.
• Support capacity planning and infrastructure scalability in collaboration with IT, facilities, and project management teams.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory and industry standards and contribute to audit readiness and site documentation.
• Assist in developing, implementing, and monitoring technical programs, policies, and procedures for National Operations and Engineering.
• Coordinate client and facility-management requirements relating to safety, quality assurance, sustainability, energy management, Energy Star, engineering disciplines, and energy and water tracking.
• Conduct periodic site inspections to assess client sites and the performance of suppliers and self-performing technicians.
• Conduct physical property, mechanical, electrical, and systems assessments as needed or requested.
• Provide leadership and direction for implementing client and corporate initiatives.
• Provide operating staff with direction and consultation regarding HVAC, MEP, fire and life safety, automation, security, and OSHA compliance.
• Assist with scope definition, contract negotiations, and bid reviews for service and capital replacement projects.
• Establish and maintain a network of consultants and prequalified service providers to support the field on matters beyond operations staff expertise.
• Respond effectively and promptly to requests from company leadership and clients.

Benefits

• Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance.
• Eligible employees may enroll in vision insurance.
• Eligible employees may enroll in dental insurance.
• Eligible employees may enroll in flexible spending accounts.
• Eligible employees may enroll in health savings accounts.
• Eligible employees may enroll in retirement savings plans.
• Eligible employees may enroll in life insurance and disability insurance programs.
• Eligible employees may receive paid and unpaid time away from work.
• Eligible employees receive competitive pay.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: High school or GED