Junior Data Center Shift Engineer
SaluteSalute is a global player in data center services, with a strong footprint in the United States and a growing presence across Europe. The company is expanding its operations in new countries and taking on challenging projects, which is creating a need for a Junior Data Center Shift Engineer. Based in Amsterdam and working onsite, this role is suited to someone eager to build hands-on experience with critical facility systems and a clear path to develop technical skills in a real-world data center environment.
The Junior Data Center Shift Engineer reports to the Site Manager and works closely with onsite Engineering Operations Technicians and third-party vendors. The role is full-time and involves supporting all facility operations at a given data center, from standby diesel generators and switchgear to UPSs, PDUs, AHUs, chillers, cooling towers, chemical treatment, pumps, motors, VFDs and the building automation systems. The position operates on a three-shift pattern that includes night shifts, so reliability and flexibility are key traits for the successful candidate.
In this role, the emphasis is on keeping critical systems operating at peak efficiency. That means a mix of planned preventive maintenance, daily corrective work, and timely responses to emergencies or unusual conditions. The engineer will be a technical resource for the site, ensuring the equipment rooms remain clean and safe, and that all building systems perform as intended. It also involves handling and tracking work requests from creation to closure, and keeping an eye on the performance of service contractors to determine when changes are needed.
Day-To-Day Responsibilities On Site
On a typical day, the engineer will operate, monitor, and maintain facilities systems and respond to any abnormal conditions. They will complete planned and ad hoc maintenance tasks that draw on knowledge across engineering, mechanical trades, and maintenance disciplines. They will conduct periodic inspections of building systems, especially HVAC and electrical distribution, and ensure equipment rooms stay clean and safe. The role also requires rapid response to indoor emergencies and air quality concerns, and meticulous management of work requests from creation through completion. In addition, the engineer will monitor contractor performance and suggest changes when necessary, while taking on other duties as assigned by management.
The role emphasizes hands-on engagement with a broad range of equipment and systems, so being comfortable coordinating with EOTs and third-party vendors, and maintaining accurate records of work and system status, is important to success in this position.
The Right Candidate For This Role
- A minimum of 1 year of directly related experience in operation, installation, and maintenance of building systems with knowledge of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire/life safety, and control systems
- High school diploma or College Degree
- Good observation skills and problem-solving ability
- Experience in a data center or critical facilities environment
- Experience with building management or control systems and coordination with Engineering Operations Technicians (EOT) or third-party vendors
Pay And Practical Details For This Role
The base salary ranges from 43,000.00 EUR to 48,000.00 EUR per year, depending on experience. The role is full-time and onsite in Amsterdam, NL, with a three-shift pattern that includes night shifts. Salute provides opportunities for career development through industry training and a pathway to grow within the team, alongside a competitive salary and the experience of working in a global data center environment.
Advice For Applicants For This Junior Data Center Shift Engineer Role
Put your most relevant building systems experience up front on your resume, especially any work with HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire/life safety, and control systems, and note that you have at least one year in this area. Highlight any hands-on maintenance and incident response work you have done, and mention your willingness to work the three-shift schedule in Amsterdam.
When you describe your must-have skills, give concrete examples of how you identified, diagnosed, and corrected issues in building systems, and how you handled work requests from creation to closure. If you have experience coordinating with EOTs or vendors, or supervising contractor work, spell that out with outcomes and dates.
Be prepared to talk through real scenarios in interviews, such as a time you managed an indoor air quality concern, or a situation where you had to rapidly respond to an abnormal condition in a critical facility. Mention the kinds of equipment you have hands-on experience with, from generators and switchgear to UPS, PDUs, AHUs, chillers, and building automation systems, to show you can hit the ground running.
Ask a focused question about the role's shift pattern and site procedures, such as how emergencies are communicated during night shifts, what training opportunities exist to expand your technical scope, or how the team collaborates with EOTs and vendors during a major maintenance window.