Critical Environment Program Manager - Electrical / Mechanical Engineering

Critical Environment Program Manager – Electrical / Mechanical Engineering

At Microsoft, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and innovative culture where every team member plays a pivotal role in driving impactful change. We are seeking a highly skilled Critical Environment Program Manager (CEPM) in Electrical / Mechanical Engineering to lead the design, optimization, and lifecycle management of mission-critical datacenter infrastructure. This role is at the intersection of technical excellence, operational reliability, and strategic leadership, ensuring seamless power, cooling, and life-safety systems that underpin our global infrastructure.

As a Critical Environment Program Manager, you will be responsible for delivering end-to-end solutions that enhance system resilience, reduce operational risks, and align with Microsoft’s commitment to operational excellence. This position requires a blend of deep technical expertise, project management acumen, and cross-functional collaboration to drive transformative outcomes in one of the world’s most advanced datacenter environments.

Key Responsibilities

In this dynamic role, your responsibilities will include:

• Technical Leadership & Delivery: Oversee the technical execution of datacenter electrical and mechanical systems, including power distribution, cooling infrastructure (switchgear, UPS, generators, transformers, and chillers), and life-safety controls. Lead troubleshooting efforts for recurring failures, implement corrective actions, and drive upgrades, commissioning, and lifecycle replacements to ensure peak performance and reliability.
• Operational Excellence & Risk Mitigation: Drive continuous improvement in system availability, incident severity reduction, and maintenance effectiveness through data-driven analysis, performance dashboards, and actionable business reviews. Ensure compliance with Microsoft’s technical standards, operational procedures (MOP/SOP), change management frameworks, and regulatory requirements such as ISO and DCOS guidelines.
• Project & Portfolio Management: Translate technical and operational risks into structured projects, defining clear scopes, roadmaps, and resource allocations. Collaborate with global teams, vendors, and cross-functional stakeholders to align initiatives and execute large-scale infrastructure upgrades within live operational environments.
• Strategic Collaboration & Communication: Champion a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement by clearly articulating risks, blockers, and decisions. Foster collaboration across engineering, operations, and regional teams to drive alignment and deliver scalable solutions for campus- or metro-wide initiatives.

Qualifications & Requirements

To excel in this role, you must meet the following criteria:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, or an equivalent technical discipline.
• Technical Expertise: Proven hands-on experience in datacenter Critical Environment systems, including power distribution, switchgear, UPS, generators, cooling, and controls. Proficiency in troubleshooting using tools such as EPMS, BCM, and BAS is essential.
• Security Clearance: Ability to undergo and maintain Microsoft’s rigorous security screening requirements, including the Microsoft Cloud Background Check, with periodic re-evaluations.

While not mandatory, the following qualifications will further strengthen your candidacy:

• Advanced technical certifications in areas such as power systems, cooling/HVAC, controls, or project management (e.g., PMP, ITIL, or CDCP).
• Experience in root-cause analysis, commissioning, technical acceptance, or lifecycle management of critical infrastructure.
• Track record of delivering large-scale datacenter upgrades or maintenance strategies within operational constraints.

This opportunity is open for a minimum of five days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment where all qualified candidates will receive fair consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, national origin, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.