Datacenter Engineering Lease Program Manager

Microsoft Cloud Operations and Innovation (CO&I) is the team behind the cloud. Within CO&I, the Datacenter Engineering (DCE) team is responsible for delivering core datacenter infrastructure for Microsoft’s cloud business. The MS portfolio consists of complex, multi-disciplinary, large scale, multi-year datacenter construction and lease projects. We are looking for a passionate, high-energy individual to help build the cloud datacenters that power the world’s largest online services.

In alignment with our Microsoft values, we are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment for all employees to positively impact our culture every day.

Responsibilities

The Datacenter Engineering Lease Program Manager will support the delivery and technical oversight of lease data centers and short-term AI Infrastructure-as-a-Service contracts across the APAC region. This role will focus on evaluating the technical readiness, compliance, and ongoing performance of third-party datacenter infrastructure supporting high-density AI/GPU deployments.

• The Technical Program Manager will serve as a primary engineering interface between Microsoft and external providers, coordinating across regional engineering, operations, construction, networking, and other technical stakeholders.
• The role will support technical feasibility assessments for prospective sites, engineering audits of existing facilities, and troubleshooting of infrastructure issues at operational sites.
• A strong electrical or mechanical engineering background is critical for this position. The Lease Program Manager must be able to evaluate mission-critical infrastructure serving high-density compute environments, identify technical risks and gaps, engage the appropriate engineering SMEs, and drive issues through resolution.
• The role will manage multiple projects concurrently, coordinate external architecture and engineering resources, manage technical consulting contracts, and ensure that technical documentation and site information are complete and ready for engineering review.

Core Responsibilities:

• Lead and support technical audits and compliance assessments of third-party datacenter facilities supporting cloud and AI infrastructure service contracts.
• Perform and coordinate technical feasibility assessments for prospective AI/GPU sites, identifying infrastructure limitations, risks, required modifications, and engineering gaps.
• Review provider design documentation and technical information against Microsoft requirements, with particular focus on electrical and mechanical infrastructure supporting high-density compute deployments.
• Provide technical support and coordinate troubleshooting for existing operational sites, partnering with providers, Microsoft Operations, and engineering SMEs to understand infrastructure issues and drive resolution.
• Coordinate external architects, engineers, consultants, and technical vendors performing site assessments, design reviews, audits, and engineering studies.
• Serve as the central technical coordination point between providers and Microsoft engineering, operations, networking, site acquisition, and other internal stakeholders.
• Identify technical gaps, risks, dependencies, and decisions required to determine site feasibility and readiness.
• Coordinate with Microsoft electrical, mechanical, controls, telecom, and other engineering SMEs on discipline-specific technical issues.
• Maintain technical documentation, audit findings, risk registers, action items, and project information within applicable portfolio tools and document repositories.
• Develop and present regular portfolio-level reporting covering site readiness, audit findings, technical risks, outstanding issues, and required decisions.
• Coordinate technical site visits, including engineering participants, documentation requirements, audit scope, and readiness activities.

Track external provider and engineering consultant deliverables, responsiveness, documentation quality, and closure of technical issues

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree AND 4+ years of experience in engineering, product/technical program management, data analysis, or product development OR equivalent experience.
• 2+ years of experience managing cross-functional and/or cross-team projects

Preferred Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in mission-critical or high-tech infrastructure such as datacenters, semiconductor facilities, large-scale manufacturing, pharmaceutical facilities, or oil and gas.
• 6+ years of experience managing complex, cross-functional engineering or infrastructure projects.
• Demonstrated electrical and/or mechanical engineering expertise in mission-critical infrastructure, including the ability to independently evaluate engineering designs, system capacity, redundancy, reliability, technical risks, and infrastructure limitations.
• Experience working with technical vendors, engineering consultants, contractors, or infrastructure providers.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex engineering issues into clear risks, actions, and decisions.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively across technical and non-technical organizations and with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Review proposed solutions and technical studies, escalating complex discipline matters to SMEs as required.
• Experience assessing infrastructure supporting high-density AI or accelerated-compute environments.
• Experience working with third-party datacenter, colocation, hosting, or infrastructure service providers.
• Knowledge of commercial contracts, technical exhibits, provider obligations, and contractual remedies.
• Knowledge of the APAC datacenter and third-party infrastructure market

Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements are required for this role. These requirements include, but are not limited to, the following specialized security screenings: Microsoft Cloud Background Check: This position will be required to pass the Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter.

Background Check Requirements:

Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements are required for this role. These requirements include, but are not limited to the following specialized security screenings:

• Microsoft Cloud Background Check: This position will be required to pass the Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter.

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This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.