Job Description

Senior Data Center Technician

Overview

The Senior Data Center Technician is a hands-on technical lead responsible for the installation, physical connectivity, and troubleshooting of server infrastructure and low-voltage cabling (LVC) systems, power delivery, and environmental conditions within the data center. This role specializes in ensuring reliable physical layer connectivity, proper equipment deployment, and rapid resolution of hardware and cabling faults in mission-critical environments.

Key Responsibilities:

Data Center Standards

• Person in this role is expected to rigorously follow accepted Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), current ASHRAE and TIA Data Center Standards and Best Practices
• Point-in-time accuracy of all DC Assets, and asset tracking
• Monitor and maintain data center environmental systems (power, cooling, rack management, connectivity) to ensure consistent uptime
• Respond promptly to incident tickets and change requests to meet SLA and uptime commitments

Equipment Installation & Deployment

• Rack, stack, and install rack-mounted and blade servers, storage arrays, network equipment and related hardware
• Perform hardware provisioning, including rails, cable arms, power distribution, network cabling, and labeling
• Execute server lifecycle tasks: installation, upgrade, relocation, decommissioning
• Validate installations against design standards, rack elevations, and engineering diagrams
• Configure and verify out-of-band management interfaces (iDRAC, iLO, etc.)

Low Voltage Cabling (LVC) & Connectivity

• Install, route, terminate, and dress copper (Cat6/Cat6A) and fiber optic cabling
• Maintain structured cabling standards, including labeling, patching, and documentation
• Perform fiber testing (OTDR, light meter) and copper certification as needed
• Troubleshoot physical connectivity issues:
  • Faulty cables, transceivers (SFP/QSFP), patch panels
  • Link failures, signal latency
• Ensure optimal cable management, airflow, and rack hygiene

Troubleshooting & Break/Fix

• Assist in resolution of server hardware failures (DIMMs, CPUs, PSUs, NICs, disks)
• Investigate Layer 1 (physical layer) connectivity issues impacting network/system performance
• Work with network and systems teams to isolate:
  • Link errors, CRCs, duplex mismatches (where applicable)
  • Physical port failures vs. logical/network configuration issues
• Replace defective components and restore services within SLA targets

Data Center Build & Expansion

• Support new rack builds and infrastructure expansions
• Interpret rack elevation diagrams, cabling schematics, and floor layouts
• Assist with capacity planning (rack space, power allocation, cable density, cooling requirements)

Documentation & Standards

• Update cable maps, rack layouts, and asset tracking systems
• Maintain accurate records of:
  • Port mappings
  • Cable IDs/labels and patching schedules
  • Installed hardware inventory
• Enforce compliance with data center standards and change control processes

Leadership & Coordination

• Serve as senior escalation point for hardware and cabling issues
• Mentor junior technicians on:
  • Best practices in server installs
  • Cable routing and troubleshooting techniques
  • Power balancing at the rack/cabinet level
• Coordinate with vendors, carriers, and cross-functional IT teams for installations and repairs

Required Qualifications:

• 5-10+ years of data center or infrastructure deployment experience
• Strong hands-on experience with:
  • Server hardware (Dell, Cisco UCS, etc.)
  • Structured cabling systems (copper & fiber)
• Proven expertise in physical layer troubleshooting (Layer 1)
• Familiarity with ITSM systems (ServiceNow preferred)

Technical Skills:

Core Skills

• Rack & stack, structured cabling, port mapping
• Fiber optics (SM/MM), transceivers (SFP, QSFP, DACs)
• Cable testing tools (Fluke, OTDR, light meters)
• Reading rack diagrams and cable schematics
• Cabinet & RPP level power capacity, power redundancy

Hardware & Systems

• Server components (RAM, NICs, HBAs, RAID)
• Remote management interfaces (iDRAC, iLO, CIMC)
• Basic networking concepts (VLANs, switching fundamentals)

Key Competencies:

• Deep expertise in physical infrastructure and cable plant integrity
• Strong troubleshooting mindset with focus on root cause at hardware/connectivity level
• High attention to detail in labeling, routing, and documentation
• Ability to work efficiently in high-density, fast-paced environments

Work Environment:

• On-site data center role requiring:
  • Available to work on a shift schedule: (3 Days, 7am - 7pm or 12pm - 12am) Schedule could be M-W or W-F with some variances.
  • Frequent standing, lifting (up to ~50 lbs), and above the rack work
  • Work in hot/cold aisle containment environments
• Participation in on-call rotation and after-hours installations

Pay Transparency Laws in some locations require disclosure of compensation and/or benefits-related information. For this position, actual salaries will vary and may be above or below the range based on various factors including but not limited to location, experience, and performance. In addition to base pay, this position, based on business need, may be eligible for a bonus or incentive. In addition, Conduent provides a variety of benefits to employees including health insurance coverage, voluntary dental and vision programs, life and disability insurance, a retirement savings plan, paid holidays, and paid time off (PTO) or vacation and/or sick time. The estimated salary range for this role is $85,894 - $100,000.