Critical Engineering Manager - Mechanical (Japan)

COMPANY OVERVIEW

STACK Infrastructure builds, owns, and operates hyperscale and colocation data centers that power the world’s most ambitious technology companies. With a rapidly expanding footprint across APAC, STACK combines deep development expertise, flexible capital, and operational discipline to deliver critical digital infrastructure at scale.

Our clients include the largest hyperscale cloud platforms. We are building a regional platform defined by speed of delivery, power reliability, and long-term partnership — and we are assembling the team to lead that effort.

Summary/Objective

STACK is looking for a Critical Engineering Manager - Mechanical. As a leader in STACK’s Critical Operations team, the Critical Engineering Manager - Mechanical must possess an expert level of knowledge and will be responsible for assisting the Site Operations Manager to supervise and lead the engineering teams, maintaining the Electrical, Mechanical, fire life safety, base building, and other various internal data center systems. The Critical Engineering Manager - Mechanical will also be focused on implementation of programs related to Safety, Team, Availability, Communication, and Knowledge. The Critical Engineering Manager - Mechanical will report to the Site Operations Manager.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Operations

• Lead and implement standardized culture of always working safely across all STACK data center Engineering operations.

· Executes all (with a focus on Mechanical) aspects of Data Centre operations including the operation, maintenance and repair of all mission critical equipment and systems supporting a 24x7 data centre operation to achieve 100% uptime and 100% compliance with all customer SLAs and site certifications and legislative requirements.

· Supervise, manage and mentor the Facilities Engineering team members to ensure exceptional performance is being achieved. The Critical Engineering Manager - Mechanical is responsible for supporting the Site Operations Manager in setting and attaining performance goals, as well as responsible for the development, coaching, and counselling of the facilities team members.

· Maintaining electrical & mechanical infrastructure per manufacturers’ recommendation and STACK engineering maintenance plans.

· Ensures services and activities of maintenance contractors and service providers as appropriate to Data Centre facilities operations, maintenance, design and construction services in support of STACK and customer objectives.

· Support projects and administration of professional consultants and contractors providing building repair, and capital improvement services including but not limited to review of work method statements for upgrades, repairs or major maintenance works to minimize risk to ongoing operations.

· Conduct inspections, surveys and develop recommendations and specifications to improve, repair or modify Electrical & Mechanical infrastructure and building systems toward the highest operational integrity and energy efficiency.

· Assist in the development, implementation and audit of Method of Procedures (MOP’s), Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s), Emergency Operating Procedures (EOP’s) and Sequence of Operations and maintenance standards to be following STACK standards and industry best practices.

· Interface with building management systems (BMS) and other automated tools and applications to ensure operational efficiencies and energy improvements.

· Manage and maintain appropriate vendor relationships to perform the necessary building repair and maintenance.

· Support the Site Operations Manager during their absence.

· Provides effective oversight, leadership and administration of assigned projects which includes direction of facilities management contractor, project teams and other 3rd party contractors.

· Work directly with the facilities management contractor(s) to identify and troubleshoot as necessary to isolate the root cause of problems.

· Perform and execute necessary facilities rounds throughout the Data Center and around property as directed to ensure the integrity of the site.

· When Customer facing, build confidence with regards to operational matters.

· Provide and support accurate and timely reporting on all aspects of the Data Center’s operations including but not limited to Power Quality, Power Utilization Efficiency (PUE), Power Usage Reporting, Vendor Scorecard Reporting and Facilities Engineering Team Roster development and reporting.

· Maintain compliance with, city, prefecture and national regulatory requirements including environmental, building, fire, health & safety.

· Actively promote a safe working environment and culture including employee wellness.

· Ensure compliance with all OH&S procedures and requirements, including permit to work, risk assessments, safe work method statements, personal protective equipment.

· Conduct site safety and hazard identification inspections.

· Report all safety concerns, hazards, near misses and incidents within required timeframes.

· Ability to comprehend, analyze, and interpret complex operational documents.

· Ability to develop and review MOP, SOP and EOP documents, incident reports, emergency event summaries, root cause analysis reports, CAPEX/OPEX budget forecasts/reports and manuals.

· Ability to deliver effective presentations on the data center operations, to customers and management.

· Ability to effectively respond to sensitive issues, complex inquiries or complaints from FM Services Provider, co-workers, supervisor, and/or management.

· Ability to positively influence and motivate employees and FM Services Provider team to reach the desired performance. Ability to sometimes place team’s goal as priority over personal individual goals.

FM Services Provider

· Foster and maintain positive working relationships with 24x7 FM team, FM Services Provider(s), FM sub-contractors, suppliers and consultants.

· Assist the Site Operations Manager and the Critical Operations Manager to manage the 24x7 FM team, FM Services Provider(s) contract and service delivery in accordance with contract KPI’s & SLA’s

· Review or prepare reports and information as required.

· Assist the Site Operations Manager and the Critical Operations Manager with 24x7 FM team and / or FM Services Provider meetings.

· Regularly review objectives and plans to drive continuous improvement and align the 24x7 FM team and/or FM Services Provider with STACK priorities.

People

· Operate in accordance with the STACK values, enabling a cohesive and positive working environment.

· Establish and maintain close working relationships with the wider STACK team including the following:

o Stakeholders at all levels of the STACK team.

o All members of the FM Services Provider teams; and

o Other remaining stakeholders including JV partners, consortia members, support consultants, contractors and suppliers.

· Actively promote team members to maximize their performance and realize their potential through coaching and mentoring.

· Actively promote teamwork within the team, FM Services Provider and business.

· Take accountability for driving achievements ensuring the results are in line with STACK business goals.

· Foster open communication channels by keeping people informed of all changes and decisions that affect them, ensuring that all useful or relevant information is promptly and accurately communicated and shared.

· Hold FM Services Provider team members accountable to performance standards, managing, understanding and addressing any underperformance appropriately with the FM Services Provider.

· Participate in work related team meetings and activities as required.

Competencies

· Proven ability in critical services industry

· Ability to lead, motivate and direct a team of technicians/operatives

· Refrigeration Machinery / High Pressure Gas handling licenses preferred

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

· Ability to handle a multitude of tasks and work well in stressful situations.

· Expert understanding of the mechanical systems and a high level of understanding of electrical systems used in a data center environment. These include, but not limited to: UPS, Transformers, PDU’s, RPP’s, Chillers, CRAH, CRAC, STS, ATS, and fire detection and suppression systems

· Expert knowledge and experience in data center trending and analysis, with the ability to rapidly learn and use PC based site monitoring systems.

· Proficient in data center commissioning standards

· Ability to communicate effectively with customers and internal staff.

· Ability to coordinate, supervise, and communicate with contractors who perform maintenance in the data center.

· Must be a team player.

Work Environment/Conditions

Working on site at the STACK KIX01A Data Center in Seika-cho, Kyoto Pref.

Travel Required

Travel between the Data Center site and the STACK offices will be required from time to time.

Travel to other STACK Data Center facilities within Japan and internationally may be required from time to time.

Required Education and Experience

· Minimum of 6-8 years’ experience in a data center or other related mission critical operations role.

· Experience managing a team of at least 5 people

· Experience working with various Microsoft office applications

· 3-5 years’ experience in administering and managing facility preventative maintenance programs.

· Extensive operational knowledge of Chillers, Direct Exchange (DX) systems, Computer Room Air Handler (CRAH) /Computer Room Air Conditioning (CRAC) units, dehumidifiers, water pumps, leak detection, Variable Frequency Drives (VFD’s), cooling towers, digital controls and Building Management System (BMS), and fire detection and suppression.

· High-level operational knowledge of Electrical Distribution; Switchgear, Transformers, Automatic Transfer Switch, Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS), Static Transfer Switch (STS), Battery Management Systems, Generators, and Power Distribution Units (PDU’s) to the branch level.

· Effective communication skills with the ability to successfully interact with both internal and external customers.

· Strong project management, trouble-shooting and organizational skills.

· Familiarity of local/national regulatory codes, guidelines, and permit processes.

· Competent use of Computerized Maintenance Tools (CMMS, BMS, Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM)).

· Excellent skillset with Excel – Trending analysis, pivot charts, formula automations.

· Ability to prepare and present PowerPoint Presentations.

· Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook and familiarity with Microsoft Project, Visio or AutoCAD. Familiarity with Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS), Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM), and Customer Portal.

· At least intermediate level of English proficiency in written and verbal communications

Preferred Education and Experience

· Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience

· A trade license or certification acquired through technical education/training in Mechanical or Mechanical trades (dual trade preferred)

· Business level English Communication skills

Additional Eligibility Requirements

· Must be willing to work outside normal business hours, including weekends, late nights, holidays, and on-call support.

· Must be comfortable working in a high stress, fast paced environment with shifting priorities

Work Authorization/Security Clearance Requirements

· Must be able to work legally in Japan

Equal Opportunity Employer

STACK provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.