Data Center Operations Technician
Job ID: 3056102 | Location: Newington, VA (22315) – 100% onsite (no remote work)
About the role
Work closely with engineering, network, systems, facilities, and project management teams to rack, stack, cable, and deploy servers, storage arrays, network switches, and supporting infrastructure in alignment with documented standards. Collaborate with team members to diagnose and resolve hardware, cabling, and connectivity issues, escalating complex problems as needed while maintaining ownership through resolution. Contribute to a highly collaborative and safety-focused data center environment with clear communication, well-documented procedures, and shared accountability for uptime and performance. Execute hardware lifecycle activities—including refreshes, upgrades, migrations, and decommissioning—ensuring proper sanitization, disposal, and documentation so that infrastructure remains secure, compliant, and optimized for the mission. Apply technical expertise with bare-metal systems, TCP/IP networking, VLANs, DNS, DHCP, rack layout best practices, and data center cabling standards to support deployment efficiency, incident response, and continuous improvement of infrastructure operations.
Responsibilities
- Rack, stack, cable, and deploy servers, storage arrays, network switches, and supporting infrastructure per documented standards
- Diagnose and resolve hardware, cabling, and connectivity issues; escalate complex problems while maintaining ownership through resolution
- Maintain a collaborative, safety-focused data center environment with clear communication, documented procedures, and shared accountability for uptime and performance
- Execute hardware lifecycle activities: refreshes, upgrades, migrations, decommissioning, sanitization, disposal, and documentation
- Apply expertise in bare-metal systems, TCP/IP networking, VLANs, DNS, DHCP, rack layout best practices, and data center cabling standards to support deployment efficiency, incident response, and continuous improvement
Requirements
- 5+ years of relevant experience
- Proven experience installing, configuring, maintaining, and decommissioning bare-metal servers, storage systems, and network devices
- Strong understanding of data center cabling standards, rack layout best practices, and cable management
- Familiarity with TCP/IP networking, VLANs, DNS, DHCP, routing fundamentals, and switch connectivity
- Experience performing hardware validation, burn-in testing, and deployment verification
- Ability to perform root cause analysis for hardware failures and operational incidents, and replace field-replaceable units (drives, memory, CPUs, power supplies, NICs, etc.)
- Active TS/SCI security clearance (or eligibility to obtain/maintain)
- Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills in a production data center environment
- Clear, professional verbal and written communication with technical and non-technical stakeholders
- Ability to identify risks, remove roadblocks, and recommend solutions as a trusted advisor for infrastructure-related initiatives
- Proven ability to follow and improve standard operating procedures (SOPs), runbooks, and change management processes
- Physical ability to lift and move equipment up to 50 lbs; work in raised floor data center environments; install equipment in racks and perform cable management; stand, bend, climb ladders, and work in confined spaces for extended periods
- Security+ certification (required)
- U.S. citizenship required
Preferred qualifications
- CDCMP (Certified Data Center Management Professional) certification
- CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) certification
- ITIL certification
- Experience supporting incident responses and maintenance activities to minimize service disruption
- Experience with capacity planning, hardware audits, and infrastructure optimization initiatives
Benefits
- Medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other optional insurance plans
- Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP)
- 401(k) with company match after 12 months of tenure (eligible to contribute typically within 30 days of start)
- Health Savings Account (HSA) on the HDHP plan
- SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions
- Corporate discount savings program and other discounts
- On-demand training program
- Access to certification prep and a library of technical and leadership courses/books/seminars after 6+ months of tenure
- Certification discounts and perks for associations including CompTIA and IIBA
- Dedicated customer service team for consultants (benefits and resource