Cushman & Wakefield logo

Director, Critical Environments - Engineering

Cushman & Wakefield

Austin, TXJob$145–170K/yrSeen todaySeen in employer's feed today

Most applications go out cold — see where you stand first. No sign-up to start.

Watch jobs like this.

Don't just apply. Show up ready.

Olive works from this exact posting.

At a glance

Compensation
$145–170K/yr
Location
Austin, TX
Work Authorization
Not specified

Olive lists jobs from US employers, including remote roles you can work from the United States.

Job overview

The Director of Critical Environments Engineering provides subject matter expertise and oversight for critical-environment engineering and operations across data center and other critical accounts. The role supports mission-critical infrastructure, coordinates with operations teams, clients, and senior stakeholders, and leads engineering initiatives involving building systems, compliance, capacity planning, and operational performance.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Data Center EngineeringBuilding SystemsHVACPlumbingElectrical DistributionMechanical SystemsControl SystemsProject ManagementBlueprint InterpretationBuilding Automation SystemsOutlookExcelWordReport WritingBusiness CorrespondencePresentation SkillsProblem SolvingData AnalysisCommunicationInterpersonal SkillsOrganizationLeadership

Qualifications

High School Diploma or GEDTwo-Year Technical Degree or Equivalent3+ Years Related ExperienceHVAC Technical School Study10+ Years Commercial Property Experience3+ Years Management ExperienceOperating Engineers LicenseData Center ExperienceBuilding Operations ExperienceUnion and Non-Union Employee Management

Benefits

Medical Insurance
Vision Insurance
Dental Insurance
401(k) Match
Paid Time Off

Full job description

Job Title

Director, Critical Environments - Engineering

Job Description Summary

The Director of Critical Environments- Engineering is a member of the Corporate Critical Environments/Data Center central SME team and is responsible for providing subject matter expertise to the critical solutions business. In addition, will be responsible for overseeing critical environments engineering and operational requirements, including but not limited to the GOS C&W engineering, IFM and data center platforms while supporting all GOS critical accounts. This position will have close interaction with Senior Management, Regional Engineering Management, and with Property Management.

Job Description

  • Provide engineering support and oversight in Data Center environments, ensuring continuous uptime, system redundancy, and adherence to mission-critical infrastructure standards, including Tier-level compliance and SLA requirements.Provide engineering support and oversight in Data Center environments, ensuring continuous uptime, system redundancy, and adherence to mission-critical infrastructure standards, including Tier-level compliance and SLA requirements.

  • Lead engineering efforts by supporting critical systems such as power distribution, cooling infrastructure, fire suppression, and building automation systems to maintain optimal performance and risk mitigation.Lead engineering efforts by supporting critical systems such as power distribution, cooling infrastructure, fire suppression, and building automation systems to maintain optimal performance and risk mitigation.

  • Partner with Data Center operations teams, site-level stakeholders, and client representatives to align engineering practices with business continuity objectives, incident response protocols, and performance optimization strategies.Partner with Data Center operations teams, site-level stakeholders, and client representatives to align engineering practices with business continuity objectives, incident response protocols, and performance optimization strategies.

  • Support capacity planning and infrastructure scalability by collaborating with IT, facilities, and project management teams to ensure engineering systems meet current and future demand.Support capacity planning and infrastructure scalability by collaborating with IT, facilities, and project management teams to ensure engineering systems meet current and future demand.

  • Ensure compliance with regulatory and industry standards (e.g., Uptime Institute, ASHRAE, NFPA, OSHA) and contribute to audit readiness and documentation for mission-critical sites.Ensure compliance with regulatory and industry standards (e.g., Uptime Institute, ASHRAE, NFPA, OSHA) and contribute to audit readiness and documentation for mission-critical sites.

  • Assist with development, implementation and monitoring of technical programs, and policies and procedures as required by both National Operations and Engineering.Assist with development, implementation and monitoring of technical programs, and policies and procedures as required by both National Operations and Engineering.

  • Works with clients and C&W facility management team to help implement and coordinate requirements such as safety, quality assurance, sustainability, energy management, Energy Star, C&W engineering disciplines, and combined energy and water tracking tools.Works with clients and C&W facility management team to help implement and coordinate requirements such as safety, quality assurance, sustainability, energy management, Energy Star, C&W engineering disciplines, and combined energy and water tracking tools.

  • Conducts periodic site inspections in accordance with the guidelines presented in the national Engineering platform to review client sites and check performance of C&W suppliers and self performing technicians.Conducts periodic site inspections in accordance with the guidelines presented in the national Engineering platform to review client sites and check performance of C&W suppliers and self performing technicians.

  • Conducts physical property, mechanical, electrical and system assessments as needed or requestedConducts physical property, mechanical, electrical and system assessments as needed or requested

  • Provides leadership and direction for the implementation of client and corporate initiativesProvides leadership and direction for the implementation of client and corporate initiatives

  • Provides direction and consultation to the operating staff for HVAC, MEP systems, Fire & Life Safety systems, Automation, Security, and OSHA complianceProvides direction and consultation to the operating staff for HVAC, MEP systems, Fire & Life Safety systems, Automation, Security, and OSHA compliance

  • Assists in scope definition, contract negotiations and bid reviews for service, and capital replacement projectsAssists in scope definition, contract negotiations and bid reviews for service, and capital replacement projects

  • Establish and maintain a network of consultants/pre-qualified service providers to provide assistance and expertise to the field in matters beyond the expertise of operations staff (i.e. MEP design Engineer of record, Environmental, Structural, and Architectural)Establish and maintain a network of consultants/pre-qualified service providers to provide assistance and expertise to the field in matters beyond the expertise of operations staff (i.e. MEP design Engineer of record, Environmental, Structural, and Architectural)

  • Provides effective and prompt responses to requests from C&W leadership and clientsProvides effective and prompt responses to requests from C&W leadership and clients

Key Competencies

  • Communication Proficiency (oral and written)Communication Proficiency (oral and written)

  • Interpersonal SkillsInterpersonal Skills

  • Organization SkillsOrganization Skills

  • Technical ProficiencyTechnical Proficiency

  • LeadershipLeadership

Important education

  • High School Diploma or GED EquivalentHigh School Diploma or GED Equivalent

  • Two-year technical degree plus 3 to 5 years of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.Two-year technical degree plus 3 to 5 years of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.

  • Completion of Technical school study relating to HVAC design and Maintenance preferredCompletion of Technical school study relating to HVAC design and Maintenance preferred

Important experience

  • Experience working in a data center environmentExperience working in a data center environment

  • Minimum of 10 years of commercial property experienceMinimum of 10 years of commercial property experience

  • Minimum of 3 years of management level experience in facilities/property maintenance, engineering, the installation and operation of Building Systems (HVAC, plumbing, Fire/Life Safety, etc.), project management, and supervision of skilled trades and technical staffMinimum of 3 years of management level experience in facilities/property maintenance, engineering, the installation and operation of Building Systems (HVAC, plumbing, Fire/Life Safety, etc.), project management, and supervision of skilled trades and technical staff

  • Experience in building operationsExperience in building operations

  • Experience managing unionized and non-unionized employeesExperience managing unionized and non-unionized employees

additional eligibility qualifications

  • Operating Engineers License as required by local jurisdictions, and equivalentOperating Engineers License as required by local jurisdictions, and equivalent

  • Technical proficiency in the mechanical, electrical and control systems used in the Property Management industryTechnical proficiency in the mechanical, electrical and control systems used in the Property Management industry

  • Expertise in the operation, management and the cost controls of Property OperationsExpertise in the operation, management and the cost controls of Property Operations

  • Knowledge and interpretation and application of applicable commercial building codes and standardsKnowledge and interpretation and application of applicable commercial building codes and standards

  • Experience reading and interpreting documents such as blueprints, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and BAS SOOExperience reading and interpreting documents such as blueprints, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and BAS SOO

  • Strong understanding of project management processesStrong understanding of project management processes

  • Basic Computing Skills in Outlook, Excel & WordBasic Computing Skills in Outlook, Excel & Word

  • A high level of functional/technical knowledge of building system operation is necessary and must have proficiency in plumbing, HVAC, and electrical distribution systems.A high level of functional/technical knowledge of building system operation is necessary and must have proficiency in plumbing, HVAC, and electrical distribution systems.

  • Must be able to prepare and present detailed reports on building operations and systems. Must be able to write professional business correspondence and procedural manuals. Must have the ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, and internal and external customers.Must be able to prepare and present detailed reports on building operations and systems. Must be able to write professional business correspondence and procedural manuals. Must have the ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, and internal and external customers.

  • Ability to quickly define problems, gather and assess relevant data and information, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions in order to implement solutions and repairs and delegate to appropriate personnel. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variablesAbility to quickly define problems, gather and assess relevant data and information, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions in order to implement solutions and repairs and delegate to appropriate personnel. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables

  • Ability to travel up to 30-40% - estimated

Cushman & Wakefield also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health, vision, and dental insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life, and disability insurance programs, and paid and unpaid time away from work. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, Cushman and Wakefield provide eligible employees with competitive pay, which may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, total hours worked, job type, business line, and applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

The compensation that will be offered to the successful candidate will depend on factors such as whether the position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement, the geographic area in which the work will be performed, market pay rates in that area, and the candidate’s experience and qualifications.

The company will not pay less than minimum wage for this role.

The compensation for the position is: $ 144,500.00 - $170,000.00

Cushman & Wakefield is an Equal Opportunity employer to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Discrimination of any type will not be tolerated.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position at Cushman & Wakefield, please call the ADA line at 1-888-365-5406 or email [email protected] . Please refer to the job title and job location when you contact us.

INCO: “Cushman & Wakefield”

How this job compares

Set against the 1,059 open Data Center Operations jobs on Olive Jobs, counted October 29, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$145–170K/yr
  • Texas median$113–187K/yr54 salary ranges
  • US median$126–262K/yr796 salary ranges

This range's midpoint, $157K, is 9% above the Texas median midpoint ($144K) — in the middle half of Data Center Operations salary ranges in Texas.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 86 open Data Center Operations jobs in Texas and 1,059 across the US. Under 1% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most in Texas
Experience
This posting asks for at least 10 years of experience — more than three in four Data Center Operations postings that state a minimum ask for (median 5 years, across 741 postings).
Education
204 of the 1,059 open Data Center Operations jobs (19%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on October 29, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.

Similar jobs, posted recently

Open roles like this one, listed in the last 30 days.

You've read the whole posting — now see how you match it.