Global Datacenter Engineering Senior Director, Operations Engineering

Overview

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.

The Global Datacenter Engineering Senior Director, Operations Engineering is responsible for the leadership, governance, and execution of the TechEx operations engineering team and associated activities across the global portfolio. This leader provides oversight of complex engineering issues impacting operational facilities, drives enterprise-wide reliability initiatives, and leads the planning and execution of major retrofit and infrastructure modernization programs.

The successful candidate will possess deep technical expertise across all aspects of data center operations, including construction permitting, building shell and core engineering, and the delivery of power, cooling, telecommunications, and controls infrastructure.

The role serves as the primary authority for operational engineering standards, engineering risk management, and technical remediation efforts. The position partners closely with regional operations teams, design and construction organizations, and executive leadership to ensure safe, reliable, scalable, and cost-effective operations across the portfolio.

Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.

Responsibilities

• Provides strategic leadership, governance, and oversight for all global operational engineering activities, ensuring alignment with business objectives, operational excellence, and long-term infrastructure strategy.
• Serves as the senior technical authority for operational engineering, leveraging deep industry expertise to guide decision-making, resolve complex engineering challenges, and mitigate operational risks across the global portfolio.
• Leads the development and execution of major retrofit, infrastructure modernization, and asset replacement programs, including portfolio prioritization, business case development, risk management, and delivery governance.
• Develops emergency operating procedures (EOPs) and governance.
• Reviews critical technical documents and sequences of operation.
• Provides training of site operations on new facility designs and sequences of operation.
• Acts as the primary escalation point for significant engineering incidents, reliability concerns, and infrastructure failures, driving root cause analysis and implementation of sustainable corrective actions.
• Fosters strong cross-functional partnerships with operational, technical, and business leaders to drive collaboration, stakeholder alignment, and successful program execution in a fast-paced global environment.
• Leads, develops, and mentors a globally distributed team of engineering leaders and subject matter experts, building organizational capability through talent development, succession planning, accountability, and performance management.
• Promotes a culture of innovation, ownership, operational excellence, and continuous improvement across the engineering organization.
• Embody our culture and values.

Qualifications

• Required/Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor's Degree AND 8+ years experience in datacenter or critical environment mechanical engineering, product/technical program management, OR equivalent experience.
• 3+ years people management experience.
• 6+ years of experience managing cross-functional and/or cross-team projects.
• Other 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.
• Additional or Preferred Qualifications: Bachelor's Degree AND 15+ years experience in datacenter or critical environment mechanical engineering, product/technical program management, data analysis, or product development OR equivalent experience.
• 6+ years people management experience.
• 10+ years of experience managing cross-functional and/or cross-team projects.
• Professional Engineer (PE) registration or equivalent professional certification in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.
• Demonstrated experience managing large-scale retrofit, modernization, or infrastructure renewal programs.
• Experience supporting global operations and geographically distributed teams.
• Strong experience with the operation and maintenance of building electrical systems (power distribution, lighting, grounding, fire alarm, security, life safety, and controls systems)
• Solid understanding of critical datacenter or equivalent high-tech CE equipment
• Knowledge of construction techniques, terminology, and documentation (ability to interpret blueprints, electrical one-lines, construction drawings etc.)
• Practical experience with automation and control systems
• Fundamental understanding of the International Building Codes
• #COICareers | #CTOCareers

Technical Program Management M6 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $165,600 - $296,400 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $220,800 - $331,200 per year.

Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here: https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay

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

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.