Apple is pushing forward with efforts to man its massive iCloud storage and cloud computing data center in Prineville, which it started building in October, placing adverts for a data center operations planner and chief engineer.

The chief engineer will be responsible for the testing of facility equipment, the implementation of new data center projects, monitoring of facilities, site documentation and site solutions.

The operations planner will develop and lead mission-critical projects at the site, as well as manage budgetary requirements and provide facilities orientation for all new hires, among other roles.

Apple has not yet announced an official date for the launch of its newest data center, built on a 160-acre property bought for US$5.6m.

Last year, Associated Press reported that apple is building a 500,000 sq ft data center at the site, which Apple has already used for a 10,000 sq ft facility.

It filed plans with the local authority to build out more data center space in August last year and in October local news said this would include two buildings totalling 338,000 sq ft each.

Apple has also had plans for a 50ft substation approved, under the name of Project Pillar, at the rear of the site.

Earlier this month, local news site Oregon Live said Apple appears to be using only a quarter of its backup generating capacity for the first phase of its data center. It sited regulatory reports that show its first phase requires a total capacity of nine 22.5MW diesel generators, which includes redundant systems.

Apple has promised to employ dozens of people at the site and use renewable power sources to feed its energy demands