Data Center RMA /Inventory Specialist

About the Role

We're looking for a Data Center RMA/Inventory Specialist to join our team during an exciting phase of growth. In this role, you'll be responsible for managing the entire lifecycle of our hardware assets, high-performance network environments, working closely with cross-functional partners to support business objectives while upholding our standards for excellence, collaboration, and impact.

What You'll Do

• Stock Control: Maintain a precision inventory of critical spares (SFPs, fiber jumpers, hard drives, RAM, power cables, and tools).
• DCIM Accuracy: Ensure the Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) database and ERP systems are updated in real-time as assets move in and out of the "Ready for Use" (RFU) state.
• Audit Leadership: Conduct weekly and monthly physical audits of the inventory cage and the data center floor to ensure 100% asset accuracy.
• Procurement Support: Monitor "par levels" and alert the Data Center Manager when stock reaches reorder points to prevent project delays.
• End-to-End RMA: Initiate and track Return Merchandise Authorizations (RMA) with vendors (e.g., Dell, HPE, Cisco, Arista).
• Defective Media Handling: Manage the secure handling and tracking of failed storage media, ensuring compliance with data privacy standards (e.g., NIST 800-88).
• Shipping & Receiving: Manage the loading dock operations, including unboxing, palletizing, and coordinating with carriers (FedEx, UPS, Freight) for outgoing repairs.
• On-Site Coordination: Act as the primary liaison for third-party vendor technicians. You will schedule their visits and ensure they have the necessary access to perform repairs.
• Repair Oversight: Escort vendor technicians on the data center floor, ensuring they follow all safety, security, and "Clean Room" protocols while performing hardware swaps.
• Quality Assurance: Verify that vendor repairs are completed to standard and that all replaced parts are correctly logged before the vendor leaves the site.
• Tech Collaboration: Work closely with the 8 Data Center Technicians to identify hardware failure trends and ensure that "Dead on Arrival" (DOA) equipment is caught and processed immediately.
• Basic Troubleshooting: Perform initial "health checks" on returned or refurbished gear to ensure it is functional before returning it to general stock.

Required Qualifications

• 2+ years in inventory management, logistics, or warehouse operations, preferably within a high-tech or data center environment.
• Strong understanding of shipping/receiving procedures and RMA workflows.
• Ability to identify various IT components (CPUs, DIMMs, SFP types, Fiber connectors).
• Proficiency with inventory management software and ticketing systems (e.g., ServiceNow, Jira, NetBox).
• High level of organizational skill—you are the person who notices when a single SFP is missing from a box of 50.
• Willingness to work shift schedules including nights, weekends, and holidays as part of a 24/7 coverage model.
• Ability to operate a pallet jack and other warehouse equipment safely.
• Ability to lift and move boxes up to 50 lbs.
• Willingness to work in a loud, climate-controlled data center environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a customer-facing operations role at a cloud provider, managed services provider, or colocation facility.
• Exposure to GPU infrastructure, HPC clusters, or AI/ML compute environments.
• Direct experience managing hardware replacement workflows through enterprise portals such as Dell TechDirect, HPE Support Center, or Cisco CCO.
• DCIM/ERP Expertise: Previous experience using Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) tools (e.g., NetBox, Device42, Nlyte) or enterprise inventory systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, or ServiceNow Asset Management).
• Data Sanitation Standards: Working knowledge of NIST 800-88 or DoD 5220.22-M standards for secure data destruction and hard drive decommissioning.
• 5S/Lean Methodology: Experience implementing 5S (Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain) or Lean principles within a warehouse or inventory "cage" environment to optimize space and workflow.
• Technical Hardware Identification: Ability to visually distinguish between similar but incompatible components (e.g., SFP vs. QSFP, Multi-mode vs. Single-mode fiber, or different generations of DDR RAM).
• Material Handling Certification: Current or previous certification in the operation of pallet jacks, stackers, or forklifts within a warehouse or loading dock setting.
• Logistics & Compliance: Familiarity with international shipping requirements, including Commercial Invoices, AES filings, or ATA Carnets for moving hardware across borders.
• Asset Tagging Strategy: Experience designing or maintaining a barcoding/QR code system for rapid asset tracking and audit reconciliation.

What We Offer

• Stock Options
• 100% paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance for Employees
• Company Health Savings Account Contributions
• 100% paid Short Term and Long Term Disability Insurance for Employees
• Life and Voluntary Supplemental Insurance Options
• Other Insurance Options, such as Pet & Legal Insurance
• Various Supplementary Health Benefits, such as discounted Virtual Healthcare Appointments and Serious Illness Support
• Flexible Spending Account
• 401(k)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible PTO
• Paid Holidays
• Parental Leave
• Other In-Office Perks