Automation Engineer France

DATA4'S MISSION

DATA4 creates Smart & Scalable digital facilities for our customers. Our network of highly connected, resilient and sustainable data center campuses underpins our customers’ digital growth in Europe.

DATA4 Group finances, designs, constructs and operates its own data centers. Delivered through our data center campus model, we provide our customers with secure, scalable and high-performance data hosting solutions.

DATA4 VALUES

At DATA4 we are driven by our values. These are the core of everything we do – from the proactivity we show in delivering great outcomes for our clients, to the responsibility we show as a key contributor to the digital economy. Our three values are:

1. To be entrepreneurial – we are teams of doers who make things happen - with autonomy, energy and a sense of responsibility
2. To always take responsibility – for our impact on the people we work with, the society we are part of, and the environment in which we operate
3. To constantly be adaptable – our business is designed to adapt, answering not only today’s challenges, but also anticipating what’s coming next.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Automation Engineer – France is responsible for the functional governance, adoption and continuous improvement of the reference tool used to manage operational activities across DATA4 sites in France (MCIM).

Beyond the functional management of the tool, the role drives the strategy for optimizing operational processes and for digitalizing and automating activities through digital tools, data and Artificial Intelligence technologies.

The role supports the Operations teams in identifying efficiency opportunities, adopting new digital solutions and developing the day-to-day use of AI.

The role holder acts as the main functional interface between French operational users, the Digital and Data teams, and DATA4 global stakeholders, in order to maximize operational performance and value creation.

The role reports to the Operations Excellence Manager France.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Automation Engineer is generally responsible for the following activities:

Process Automation

• Identify low-value-added activities that can be automated.
• Map operational processes and propose optimization plans.
• Define, lead and monitor business process automation initiatives.
• Contribute to the design and deployment of automated workflows between the various information system tools.
• Reduce administrative tasks and duplicate data entry to increase operational efficiency.
• Implement indicators to measure productivity gains generated by automation.

Development and Adoption of AI Solutions

• Identify high-value AI use cases for the Operations, Facility Management and Data Center Operations teams.
• Support the integration of generative AI solutions and digital assistants into day-to-day activities, in compliance with Group IT guidelines.
• Assess the opportunities offered by new AI technologies in maintenance, operations and document management.
• Maintain continuous monitoring of innovations related to AI and digital tools.
• Make recommendations on solutions that improve operational performance, quality and reliability.
• Comply with and ensure compliance with the company policy governing the use of AI tools.

Digital and AI Awareness and Team Support

• Develop a digital and AI culture within the operational teams.
• Train employees in best practices for using AI tools.
• Design and facilitate awareness workshops, demonstrations and training sessions.
• Support teams in identifying new AI use cases.
• Promote the sustainable adoption of digital tools and the evolution of working methods.
• Measure the impact of AI use on productivity, quality and user experience.

User Adoption and Support

• Act as the main functional point of contact for users of the reference tool used to manage operational activities in France.
• Support operational teams in their day-to-day use of the tool.
• Advise users on best practices and recommended uses.
• Identify difficulties encountered and propose improvement actions.
• Support the onboarding of new users and ensure they become autonomous in using the tool.

Training and Change Management

• Create and maintain user materials, guides and reference documents.
• Organize and deliver training on the reference tool used to manage operational activities.
• Support teams when functional changes are made to the tool.
• Communicate changes, best practices and lessons learned.
• Promote user engagement and the continuous improvement of practices.
• Develop training pathways related to digitalization and the use of AI tools.

Data Quality and Compliance

• Ensure that the operational data entered into the reference tool is reliable, complete and consistent.
• Monitor compliance with the defined usage standards.
• Conduct regular data quality reviews.
• Identify gaps and support teams in implementing corrective actions.
• Ensure the quality and relevance of the data used in automation and AI initiatives.

Continuous Improvement and Business Requirements

• Gather and analyze requirements expressed by the operational teams.
• Translate user requirements into functional improvement requests.
• Prioritize improvements according to their operational value.
• Participate in the functional validation phases for new features.
• Provide feedback and lessons learned to the DATA4 global teams.
• Contribute to the digital and AI roadmap for Operations France.

Reporting and Performance

• Define and monitor indicators related to the use of the reference tool.
• Measure the level of tool adoption.
• Monitor data quality and compliance with standards.
• Produce regular reports on the maturity of tool usage.
• Monitor indicators relating to digitalization, automation and the adoption of AI tools.
• Quantify the operational gains generated by continuous improvement initiatives.
• Provide management with visibility into team performance and digital maturity.

REQUIREMENTS

Education and experience

• Higher education degree in engineering, maintenance, operations, Facility Management, information systems or equivalent.

• At least 3 years of experience in a critical operational environment or data center.
• Experience with operational management tools (CMMS, EAM, ERP or digital platforms).
• Experience in digital transformation, automation or continuous improvement projects.
• Knowledge of generative AI tools (Microsoft Copilot) would be an advantage.
• Professional proficiency in English.

Technical skills

• Good understanding of data center or critical-environment operating processes.
• Sound command of maintenance management and asset management principles.
• Ability to translate a business requirement into an operational solution.
• Knowledge of process automation principles.
• Good understanding of AI use cases and digital transformation.
• Ability to lead cross-functional projects involving multiple stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 tools and digital collaboration solutions.

Behavioral skills

• Strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• Excellent communication and change management skills.
• Strong user focus and continuous improvement mindset.
• Ability to influence without direct hierarchical authority.
• Innovative mindset and technological curiosity.
• Ability to engage stakeholders around new digital and AI practices.
• Pragmatic, results-oriented and focused on creating value for Operations.

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