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Job Summary

The Critical Facilities Manager leads the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of mission-critical data center infrastructure. This role manages supervisors and engineering teams responsible for maintaining critical power, cooling, mechanical, electrical, controls, fire and life-safety systems that support continuous 24x7 data center operations.

The role combines people leadership with technical and operational accountability, ensuring teams are equipped to manage maintenance, infrastructure risk, incidents, capacity requirements, vendor activities, and site improvement initiatives. The Critical Facilities Manager also manages budgets and resources while building a strong culture of safety, operational discipline, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

Management

• Lead, coach, and develop supervisors and Critical Facilities engineering teams responsible for 24x7 data center operations.
• Establish team priorities, allocate resources, and ensure appropriate operational coverage to support business and site requirements.
• Build a strong culture of safety, accountability, operational excellence, and human-error prevention across the team.
• Manage performance, recruitment, workforce planning, succession, coaching, and development of team members.
• Develop technical and leadership capability within the team and create opportunities for employees to grow.
• Ensure teams are trained and competent in operational procedures, safety requirements, incident response, and critical infrastructure operations.
• Provide leadership during testing, maintenance, infrastructure projects, and significant operational incidents.

Project / Infrastructure Site Management

• Oversee the operation, maintenance, reliability, and lifecycle management of mission-critical data center infrastructure.
• Provide leadership across critical power and cooling systems, including UPS, generators, switchgear, transformers, power distribution, chillers, cooling systems, pumps, BMS/controls, and associated infrastructure.
• Plan and coordinate resources for preventive and corrective maintenance, infrastructure projects, lifecycle replacements, and site improvement initiatives.
• Manage site capacity and infrastructure readiness to support customer demand and future growth.
• Identify operational risks and infrastructure constraints and establish appropriate mitigation plans.
• Translate functional and business priorities into operational plans and ensure effective execution by the team.
• Review infrastructure investment requirements and provide input into operating and capital budgets.
• Support infrastructure expansion, system upgrades, end-of-life replacements, energy efficiency initiatives, and other improvements without compromising operational resilience.

Vendor Management

• Manage contractors, maintenance providers, and technical vendors supporting critical infrastructure operations.
• Establish clear performance expectations and ensure vendors meet required KPIs, SLAs, safety standards, and operating procedures.
• Review vendor work scopes, maintenance plans, technical recommendations, and service performance.
• Ensure high-risk vendor activities are appropriately planned, reviewed, controlled, and supervised.
• Drive vendor accountability and continuous improvement in service quality, safety, and operational performance.

Testing

• Oversee testing and commissioning activities for critical infrastructure, ensuring appropriate procedures, risk controls, and documentation are in place.
• Support the operational takeover and readiness of new builds, expansions, and newly commissioned infrastructure.
• Ensure Maintenance Operation Protocols (MOPs), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Emergency Operating Procedures (EOPs), and associated technical documentation are appropriately developed, reviewed, and followed.
• Ensure lessons learned from testing and maintenance activities are incorporated into operating practices and team capability.

Incident Management

• Lead and coordinate on-site teams during critical facility incidents, infrastructure failures, and operational disruptions.
• Provide clear technical and operational direction to stabilize conditions, protect people and customers, and restore normal operations.
• Ensure appropriate incident escalation, communication, and stakeholder coordination.
• Lead or oversee Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and post-incident reviews, ensuring corrective and preventive actions are identified and delivered.
• Identify recurring risks and drive improvements that strengthen infrastructure resilience and reduce the likelihood of repeat incidents.
• Act as a senior escalation point for complex technical and operational issues.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Typically 8+ years of relevant experience in data center critical facilities, engineering operations, or another mission-critical environment.
• Proven experience leading engineering or Critical Facilities teams, including supervisors and/or experienced individual contributors.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Building Services Engineering, or a related discipline preferred. Equivalent relevant technical and leadership experience will also be considered.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Strong knowledge of mission-critical electrical, power, mechanical, and cooling infrastructure.
• Experience operating and maintaining high-availability environments where infrastructure failure may have significant customer or business impact.
• Demonstrated experience leading significant incidents, troubleshooting infrastructure risks, and implementing corrective actions.
• Experience managing preventive maintenance, infrastructure lifecycle programs, capacity planning, and end-of-life equipment replacement.
• Experience managing operational budgets, vendors, contractors, and technical service agreements.
• Strong understanding of EHS, operational risk, permit-to-work, MOP/SOP/EOP, and human-error-prevention practices.
• Strong people leadership, stakeholder management, communication, and decision-making skills.

Equinix is committed to ensuring that our employment process is open to all individuals, including those with a disability.  If you are a qualified candidate and need assistance or an accommodation, please let us know by completing this form.

Equinix is an Equal Employment Opportunity and, in the U.S., an Affirmative Action employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to unlawful consideration of race, color, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, place of birth, citizenship, sex, pregnancy / childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or domestic partnership status, age, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, political / organizational affiliation, status as a victim or family member of a victim of crime or abuse, or any other status protected by applicable law. 

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