Principal Engineer, Infrastructure and Data Center Operations

The Google Data Center team (GDC) designs, builds, and operates many gigawatts of reliable, efficient, flexible data centers around the world. Our data centers are the foundation of all Google services and infrastructure, from classic servers and networking to bespoke storage and advanced AI hardware. Google data centers lead the industry in efficiency and carbon footprint, and regularly introduce innovative new technologies and approaches in our quest for the ideal data center portfolio.

Google's Data Center Operations team (DCOps) is responsible for keeping Google’s global fleet of data centers running smoothly and efficiently. The team installs, commissions, operates, and maintains some of the most advanced electrical, mechanical, and controls infrastructure in the world. We're upbeat, creative, team-oriented operators and leaders, running data centers that are changing the face of contemporary computing.

As the Principal Engineer, you will serve as the executive technical representative for Data Center Operations (DCOps) across the AI and Infrastructure (AI2) division. You will be responsible for driving forward-looking, end-to-end solutions to Google's significant AI infrastructure challenges, partnering across DCOps and teams across AI2 to ensure operational efficiency, agility, and rigor is baked into our operations and long-term strategy. You will provide technical direction, strategic alignment, and operational guidance, focusing on innovative solutions that drive significant uplift in the performance of our infrastructure and the teams that support it.

Google Cloud accelerates every organization’s ability to digitally transform its business and industry. We deliver enterprise-grade solutions that leverage Google’s cutting-edge technology, and tools that help developers build more sustainably. Customers in more than 200 countries and territories turn to Google Cloud as their trusted partner to enable growth and solve their most critical business problems.

Individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

US: $256000 - $356000 (USD) + 30% bonus target + equity + benefits

Learn more about benefits at Google.

Responsibilities

• Drive forward-looking, innovative approaches to anticipate and address DCOps’ challenging AI infrastructure problems.
• Act as the executive technical triage point for critical operational issues, assessing and delegating resolution to the appropriate engineering or operational teams to drive permanent change.
• Serve as the key technical lead ensuring DCOps operational requirements, standards, and field-level challenges are actively represented and integrated into New Product Introduction (NPI), tool development, and strategic planning processes.
• Define and drive the technical roadmap for next-generation DCOps, focusing on automated operations, rich tooling, and predictive/condition-based maintenance to transform existing processes and scale the organization.
• Act as a trusted and neutral arbiter to drive consensus and alignment on technical approaches and strategies across cross-functional work streams.

Minimum qualifications:

• Master's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Computer Engineering, or equivalent practical experience in a technical, mission-critical field.
• 15 years of combined experience in the design, construction, commissioning, or operation of hyperscale, mission-critical data center infrastructure.
• Experience in one or more core data center operations disciplines (e.g., thermal management, high-voltage distribution, infrastructure controls/automation).

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience defining and delivering technical roadmaps for large-scale, global infrastructure, resulting in measurable improvements in reliability, efficiency, or operational excellence.
• Experience in prior data center operation roles, with increasing levels of technical scope and responsibility over time.