Summary
AVAR is seeking a Senior Data Center Engineer to oversee day-to-day site operations and the performance, availability, and readiness of critical infrastructure. The role includes reviewing procedures and operational records, managing incidents and risks, coordinating vendors, preparing for audits, and reporting to the DC Manager; it may also provide operational cover for the manager. Applicants need a relevant bachelor’s degree, at least seven years of engineering experience, and at least five years in data center, mission-critical, or large-scale facilities operations. The position is on-site in Kuwait, and candidates must already be based in Kuwait.
The posting
As published on avarglobal.com. Pulled from the employer's site and shown as they wrote it.
Role Overview
The Senior Data Center Engineer is entrusted with overseeing and monitoring the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of mission-critical data center infrastructure. As part of our team in Kuwait, you'll work in an ONSITE environment, ensuring the highest standards of operational performance by coordinating with DC Engineers, reviewing site conditions, maintaining critical documentation, and supporting data center management during audits, incidents, and day-to-day operations. You will act as a trusted relief for the DC Manager when required, providing operational leadership and coordination under delegated authority.
Responsibilities
- Oversee and monitor day-to-day data center operations and overall site conditions.
- Review operational status, system performance, alarms, incidents, risks, and unresolved issues with DC Engineers.
- Monitor critical infrastructure for performance, availability, redundancy, capacity, and operational readiness.
- Review and approve SOPs, MOPs, EOPs, risk assessments, and operational tasks within delegated authority.
- Review shift reports, operational logs, maintenance records, incident reports, and related site documentation.
- Ensure all operational activities comply with approved procedures, HSE standards, and client/site requirements.
- Monitor incidents and operational risks, ensuring proper escalation, follow-up, corrective action, and closure.
- Assess vendor performance, maintenance quality, SLA compliance, and track outstanding actions to closure.
- Prepare the site for internal, client, regulatory, certification, and external audits, ensuring documentation is complete and available.
- Coordinate closure of audit findings, observations, corrective actions, and compliance gaps within agreed timelines.
- Identify operational gaps, recurring issues, and improvement opportunities, recommending effective actions.
- Report on overall site operational performance, risks, incidents, maintenance, audits, and outstanding actions to the DC Manager.
- Support the DC Manager with operational reviews, client communications, planning, and performance reporting.
- Serve as DC Manager Relief when assigned or in their absence, providing operational oversight and coordination.
Must have requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent discipline.
- Minimum 7 years of relevant engineering experience, with at least 5 years in data center, mission-critical, or large-scale facilities operations.
- Significant experience in data center operations, critical infrastructure management, maintenance oversight, incident management, and operational risk assessment.
- Hands-on experience reviewing operational procedures, maintenance activities, system performance, and site documentation.
- Experience supporting internal, client, certification, regulatory, or external audits, and effectively closing out findings.
- Demonstrated ability to manage site operations and make informed decisions with limited supervision.
- Proficiency in preparing operational performance reports, risk updates, and management-level status reports.
- Comprehensive knowledge of data center electrical and mechanical infrastructure (generators, switchgear, UPS, ATS/STS, PDUs, cooling systems, BMS, and control systems).
- Advanced understanding of data center operation best practices, maintenance, redundancy, availability, and readiness.
- In-depth knowledge of SOPs, MOPs, EOPs, risk assessments, incident management, escalation, and change control.
- Familiarity with operational audits, compliance requirements, corrective actions, and audit preparedness.
- Strong understanding of HSE requirements, data center policies, operational controls, and essential site documentation.
- Solid knowledge of applicable corporate, regulatory, client, and site standards.
- Candidates must already be based in Kuwait.
Nice to have requirements
- Professional certifications (e.g., CDCP, CDCS, Uptime Institute, ITIL, PMP, NEBOSH).
- Experience with Green Data Center infrastructure and sustainability best practices.
- Working knowledge of advanced monitoring and automation systems for data centers.
- Background in team leadership or people management within mission-critical environments.
- Previous experience participating in business continuity and disaster recovery planning.
- Strong data analysis and reporting automation skills (e.g., Power BI, Tableau, scripting).
- Arabic language proficiency is a plus.