As part of the Fleet Operations, Reliability and Central Engineering ("FORCE") team at Meta, the Data Center Lead ("DCL") leads a team of Data Center Technicians responsible for server and network break/fix at a Meta data center site. Reporting to a Fleet Operations Manager ("FOM"), the DCL owns team performance, coverage, and development for their sites while serving as the operational escalation point for the team. This is a hands-on leadership role built for someone who can grow technicians from supervised execution to independent operation, hold a high quality and safety bar, and partner across Fleet Ops and cross functional partners to keep the fleet healthy.
Responsibilities
People development. Directly manage Data Center Technicians. Run biweekly 1:1s, set clear goals, and build personalized growth roadmaps that move technicians from supervised work toward independent operation. Give real-time, actionable feedback.
• Proficiency management. Ensure each technician clears defined proficiency milestones: data center fundamentals, safety certification, MOP execution, and "Independent" status. Track qualification by platform so work assignment matches demonstrated skill.
• Team Performance. Author performance reviews, hold a high standard of excellence in performance and results. Address performance gaps promptly in partnership with your FOM and HR Employee Relations partner.
• Coverage and scheduling. Own the site shift schedule, weekend rotation, and on-call rotation. Build coverage that meets the needs of a 24/7 operation, distributes weekend and off-hours duty equitably, and keeps experienced technicians on every shift. Allocate work across the team and surface capacity risks to your FOM early, with mitigation options attached.
• Incident leadership. Serve as the site operational escalation point for technicians. Lead response to site-impacting events, coordinate across functions, and ensure clean handoffs. Partner with ProdOps engineers and SMEs for deep technical diagnosis and systemic fixes.
• Quality, standards, and safety. Hold the bar on MOP adherence, ticket hygiene, documentation, and escalation etiquette. Enforce safety and security protocols in the data hall without exception, including tool use, lifting, and hot-aisle work. Safety sets the tone for everything else the team does.
• Communication and representation. Cascade organizational strategy and priorities in terms that connect to daily work. Represent the site team in leadership forums and cross-functional reviews. Bring honest field feedback back to your FOM and to leadership.
• AI leadership. Coach technicians on responsible AI use, including when to trust and when to challenge an AI-generated diagnosis, and ensure they can articulate the impact AI has on their results.
Minimum Qualifications
• 4+ years of data center, IT, or network operations experience
• Demonstrated technical familiarity with server and network hardware, including break/fix, cabling, and optics
• Experience leading, mentoring, or coordinating the work of others, whether as a manager, team lead, or shift lead
• Track record of holding a safety and quality bar in a hands-on operational environment
• Strong written and verbal communication, including the ability to escalate clearly and represent the team to partners
• Ability to work onsite and support a 24/7 operation, including participation in an on-call rotation
Preferred Qualifications
• Prior people-management experience, including performance and development ownership. Strong technicians who have led shifts or mentored others are also encouraged to apply
• Bachelor's degree in an engineering field, Computer Science, or equivalent practical experience
• Experience building or running shift coverage and on-call rotations
• Familiarity with Linux, structured cabling, and fiber optics standards
• Experience onboarding and developing entry-level technical talent
• Experience partnering with facilities, network engineering, or vendor teams
