Principal, Process Development and Optimization Engineer

Process Development & Optimization Engineer – GigaScale Data Center Delivery (OCI)0

Role Summary

OCI is seeking a Process Development & Optimization Engineer to help scale GigaScale data center delivery with speed, consistency, and predictable outcomes. This role is accountable for building and continuously improving the operating system that turns delivery goals into repeatable execution; translating lessons learned into standard work, tightening handoffs between teams, and reducing the variability that drives schedule slips, rework, and cost overruns.

As OCI expands capacity across multiple campus facilities, success depends on more than strong project execution of individual teams: it requires a high-throughput, standardized delivery model that performs reliably regardless of location, partner mix, or timeline pressure. This engineer will partner across engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, and operations to identify bottlenecks and failure points in the end-to-end lifecycle (planning → build → test → commissioning/turnover), implement practical process improvements, and ensure those improvements stick through clear governance, adoption mechanisms, and performance measurement.

The ideal candidate blends field-first pragmatism with analytical rigor: someone who can be on-site observing workflow constraints one day and the next day align stakeholders on a revised stage gate, acceptance criteria, or readiness checklist supported by data. In this role, you will drive measurable improvements in cycle time, first-pass quality, milestone predictability, and commissioning/turnover readiness, enabling OCI to deliver GigaScale capacity faster and with greater confidence; while improving the experience and effectiveness of delivery teams and partners through clearer processes and reduced “firefighting.”

Key Responsibilities

Process design & standardization

• Develop and deploy standardized delivery playbooks (standard work, stage gates, checklists, templates) for GigaScale site delivery.
• Define clear “definition of ready / definition of done” criteria for critical milestones (design readiness, construction readiness, commissioning readiness, operational handover).
• Establish governance for change control, lessons learned, and continuous improvement adoption across sites.

Operational excellence / continuous improvement

• Lead Lean/Six Sigma-style initiatives to reduce cycle time, rework, and variation across construction and commissioning workflows.
• Facilitate value stream mapping, root-cause analysis (RCA), and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA) to eliminate recurring schedule and quality issues.
• Identify bottlenecks across engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, and operations; drive cross-functional resolution.

Performance management & analytics

• Define and maintain KPI/OKR frameworks for delivery performance (e.g., milestone predictability, first-pass yield, rework rate, RFI/CO trends, punch-list aging, commissioning cycle time).
• Build dashboards and operating reviews that surface leading indicators and enable proactive intervention.
• Create scalable reporting packages for site leadership and regional/portfolio executives.

Field engagement & adoption

• Partner closely with site delivery teams to observe work, validate process changes in the field, and ensure sustained adoption.
• Train and coach teams (internal and vendor/GC partners) on new processes, quality gates, and best practices.
• Drive alignment across stakeholders: design/engineering, procurement, construction management, commissioning, operations, EHS, and finance/controls.

Supplier and partner enablement

• Standardize expectations and interfaces with GCs, trade partners, OEMs, and commissioning agents.
• Improve contractor performance through clear acceptance criteria, QA/QC checkpoints, and consistent turnover requirements.

Risk, quality, and compliance integration

• Embed risk management into delivery processes (risk registers, escalation paths, contingency triggers).
• Ensure processes support required safety, security, and compliance practices expected in global data center environments.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Operations, Industrial Engineering, or related field (or equivalent practical experience).
• 5+ years experience in process development, operational excellence, program delivery, manufacturing/industrial enginee