Chief Engineer, Data Center Engineering Operations (DCEO)

Cape Town, South AfricaFull-timeSeniorOn-sitePosted 5 Oct 2026

Job Overview

AWS Infrastructure Services is hiring a Data Center Chief Engineer for its Data Center Engineering Operations (DCEO) team in the Cape Town area. The team maintains the critical physical infrastructure behind Amazon Web Services, keeping data center MEP at 100% availability while delivering first-class service to the groups operating inside the facilities.

As Chief Engineer you are the single focal point for facility operations: ensuring all electrical, mechanical and fire/life-safety equipment runs at peak efficiency through planned preventative maintenance, daily corrective work and emergency response. You will direct, train and support Engineering Operations Technicians (EOTs) and third-party vendors across stand-by diesel generators, switchgear, UPSs, PDUs, AHUs, chillers, cooling towers, chemical treatment, pumps, motors, VFDs and building automation systems.

The role also owns large-scale impacting projects and new-region support from conception to completion, collaborating with engineering, automation, procurement and finance teams locally and globally. Based in Cape Town with flexibility to travel within EMEA as required.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations and maintenance of mechanical and electrical equipment in AWS data centers

• Operate independently with limited direct management; act as escalation point for all facilities issues in the region, working OT hours as needed for site stability

• Assist in the design and build-out of new facilities and deliver large projects and new-region support end to end (milestones, quotes, cost tracking, documentation)

• Perform root cause analysis of equipment failures; troubleshoot and report facility and server-level events within internal SLA

• Create and deploy new standard practices for EOTs, Chief Engineers and vendor support teams

• Train and guide Engineering Operations Technicians and support recruiting for the team

• Ensure vendor and Amazon staff adhere to all safety procedures; perform MV/LV isolation to facilitate MV maintenance

• Manage building workflows through internal Change Management systems and provide weekly availability metric reporting

• Communicate complex technical information to non-technical audiences

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a related field

• 5+ years of data center engineering or operations experience

• 4+ years of relevant work in a data center or other critical environment

• 3+ years of vendor management experience

• Preferred: 3+ years of construction or project management experience

• Preferred: electrical or mechanical Journeyman licence and/or operating engineering licence (DC II, DC III or equivalent)

Skills & Requirements

Data Center OperationsCritical Facilities (MEP)MV/LV Switching & IsolationUPS & PDU SystemsDiesel GeneratorsHVAC / Chillers / Cooling TowersBuilding Automation SystemsPreventative MaintenanceRoot Cause AnalysisVendor ManagementProject ManagementChange ManagementHealth & Safety Compliance