Data Center Operations Specialist Principal

Data Center Operations Technician

Responsible for the installation, configuration, maintenance, troubleshooting, and decommissioning of data center infrastructure, including bare-metal servers, storage systems, and network switches. The role ensures reliability, availability, and operational readiness of critical equipment while providing technical expertise, proactive problem-solving, and clear communication to internal stakeholders.

• Infrastructure Deployment & Installation:
  Rack, stack, cable, and deploy servers, storage arrays, network switches, and supporting infrastructure; install and configure bare-metal systems per documented hardware and networking requirements; perform hardware validation, burn‑in testing, and deployment verification; configure network connectivity, VLAN assignments, IP addressing, and port mappings; maintain accurate asset inventory and rack elevation documentation.
• Hardware Lifecycle Management:
  Execute hardware refreshes, upgrades, migrations, and decommissioning activities; ensure proper sanitization, removal, disposal, or return of retired equipment according to policy; track asset movement and maintain accurate inventory records; coordinate equipment receiving, staging, deployment, and retirement processes.
• Troubleshooting & Incident Response:
  Diagnose and resolve server, storage, networking, and cable issues; perform root cause analysis for hardware failures and operational incidents; replace failed components including drives, memory, CPUs, power supplies, NICs, and field‑replaceable units; escalate complex issues appropriately while maintaining ownership through resolution; participate in incident response and maintenance activities to minimize service disruption.
• Operation Excellence:
  Follow and improve standard operating procedures, installation guides, and operation runbooks; ensure all work is performed according to quality, safety, and change management processes; identify opportunities to improve deployment efficiency, operational reliability, and documentation accuracy; support capacity planning, hardware audits, and infrastructure optimization initiatives.
• Technical Advisory & Continuous Improvement:
  Serve as a subject matter expert for data center hardware deployment and operational best practices; provide recommendations regarding infrastructure design, deployment methodologies, hardware standards, and operational processes; advise leadership and engineering teams on potential risks, dependencies, and infrastructure readiness; communicate project status, risks, roadblocks, and mitigation plans clearly and professionally; collaborate with engineering, network, systems, facilities, and project management teams.

• Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree.
• 5+ years of related experience.
• Experience installing, configuring, and decommissioning bare‑metal servers, storage systems, and network devices.
• Strong understanding of data center cabling standards and rack layout best practices.
• Familiarity with TCP/IP networking, VLANs, DNS, DHCP, routing fundamentals, and switch connectivity.
• Security+ certification required; CDCMP, CCNA, and ITIL certifications preferred.
• Top Secret/SCI security clearance required (or ability to obtain).
• US citizenship required.

Ability to lift and move equipment up to 50 lbs; work in raised‑floor data center environments; perform cable management; stand, bend, climb ladders, and work in confined spaces for extended periods.

• Scheduled weekly hours: 40
• Travel required:
  
  less than 10%
• Telecommuting options: onsite work; locations: USA, VA Newington; additional work locations: as needed.

Equal opportunity employer. Individuals with disabilities, protected veterans, and others are encouraged to apply.