Data Center Operations Engineer (DCOE) Italy

DATA4'S MISSION

DATA4 creates Smart & Scalable digital facilities for our customers. Our network of highly connected, resilient and sustainable data center campuses underpins our customers’ digital growth in Europe.

DATA4 Group finances, designs, constructs and operates its own data centers. Delivered through our data center campus model, we provide our customers with secure, scalable and high-performance data hosting solutions.

DATA4 VALUES

At DATA4 we are driven by our values. These are the core of everything we do - from the proactivity we show in delivering great outcomes for our clients, to the responsibility we show as a key contributor to the digital economy. Our three values are:

• To be entrepreneurial- we are teams of doers who make things happen - with autonomy, energy and a sense of responsibility
• To always take responsibility- for our impact on the people we work with, the society we are part of, and the environment in which we operate
• To constantly be adaptable- our business is designed to adapt, answering not only today’s challenges, but also anticipating what’s coming next.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Data Center Operations Engineer (DCOE) is responsible for the safe, reliable and efficient operation of critical data center infrastructure.

The role ensures service continuity, operational excellence, and compliance with technical, safety and contractual requirements, through the management of maintenance activities, incidents, changes, and technical vendors.

The Data Center Operations Engineer (DCOE) operates with autonomy on day-to-day operations, acting as a key interface between internal teams, customers, and service providers.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical Operations

• Ensure the continuous operation of critical infrastructure (electrical, mechanical, cooling, fire protection, low current systems)
• Monitor infrastructure performance using BMS and monitoring tools
• Supports, validates, follows-up and manage preventive and corrective maintenance activities
• Ensure compliance with design standards, operational procedures, and safety requirements
• Participate in commissioning, testing, and handover activities when applicable

Incident & Problem Management

• Own the incident management lifecycle: detection, assessment, escalation, resolution, and closure

• Coordinate and contribute to root cause analysis (RCA) and define corrective and preventive actions
• Track and ensure completion of action plans related to incidents and risks
• Participate in and support incident simulation drills and crisis scenarios

Change & Maintenance Management

• Plan, review, and supervise maintenance schedules and interventions
• Ensure proper execution of change management processes, minimizing operational risks
• Use maintenance management tools (CMMS or equivalent) to track activities, performance, and compliance
• Ensure all activities are properly documented and aligned with procedures

Vendor & Contract Management

• Manage technical service providers on-site (multi-technical, maintenance, specialized vendors)
• Monitor vendor performance against SLAs, KPIs, and contractual obligations
• Lead performance reviews, issue escalation, and continuous improvement actions
• Ensure vendors comply with health & safety, operational, and quality standards

Customer & Stakeholder Interface

• Act as a technical point of contact for customers during maintenance operations and incidents
• Support customer audits, certifications, and reporting needs
• Participate in contractual and operational meetings with customers
• Ensure clear and timely communication on incidents, maintenance, and risks

Reporting & Documentation

• Produce and review operational and monthly reports
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date technical documentation (procedures, reports, asset data)
• Ensure proper documentation of incidents, changes, and maintenance activities

Safety

• Ensure strict application of DATA4 Health & Safety rules by all third-party companies operating on site (contractors, vendors, service providers)
• Verify compliance with safety procedures, work permits (PTW), LOTO, and site-specific HSE requirements before and during interventions
• Identify and manage co-activities risks within the area of responsibility, especially during planning and scheduling of maintenance works and projects
• Coordinate with relevant stakeholders to prevent conflicts between simultaneous activities and ensure safe execution conditions
• Conduct regular safety inspections and audits of ongoing works and contractor activities
• Report unsafe situations, near misses, and deviations, ensuring immediate corrective actions
• Actively participate in the investigation and root cause analysis (RCA) of incidents occurring within the scope of responsibility
• Contribute to continuous improvement of safety practices and promote a strong safety culture on site

RESPONSIBILITES IN TERMS OF IMS CERTIFICATIONS

Respect and enforce certification policies in terms of:

• H&S:Respect and enforce health and safety rules.
• Environment:Respect and enforce environmental policies.
• Information security:Respect and enforce information security policies
• Energy:Respect and enforce the policy of reducing energy consumption.

REQUIREMENTS

Education and experience

• Degree in electrical, mechanical, or related technical field (or equivalent experience)
• Minimum 5 years of experience in operations, critical facilities, or industrial environments (data center experience is a plus)
• Experience in maintenance, incident management, or technical operations roles
• Experience working with external vendors or service providers
• Professional working proficiency in English

Technical skills

• Solid understanding of electrical (HV/LV), mechanical/cooling, and fire safety systems in operational environments, with hands-on exposure to maintenance, troubleshooting, and safety practices (e.g. LOTO, redundancy, critical systems)
• Experience using monitoring tools (BMS or equivalent) to track performance, alarms, and system status
• Proven experience in incident management and root cause analysis (RCA), with a structured and rigorous approach
• Experience planning and overseeing maintenance activities, with attention to quality, safety, and documentation
• Exposure to change management and SLA-driven environments, with ability to monitor performance and ensure compliance
• Experience working with technical service providers, with ability to coordinate, escalate, and drive resolution
• Strong communication skills, able to interact effectively with technical teams, vendors, and customers

Soft skills

• Strong sense of ownership and responsibility in operational environments
• Structured, rigorous, and detail-oriented approach
• Ability to prioritize and make decisions under pressure
• Effective collaboration with cross-functional teams and partners
• Customer-oriented mindset with awareness of business impact of operations