Datacenter Server Engineer

Sprout•San Francisco, CA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

Sprout is a global IT hardware retirement provider for hyperscaler and enterprise clients. We leverage a nationwide footprint (and international partner network) combined with proprietary software to enable efficient end-to-end IT asset disposition with a focus on data-bearing devices from the client to the cloud. The company is headquartered in Charlotte, NC with additional operations near Sacramento, Dallas, and Boston. Sprout provides software and services to clients in the form of our IT Asset Disposition, Certified Destruction, and Responsible Recycling solutions. Since our founding as an electronic waste startup from a Duke University dorm room in 2014, we have been expanding at an average rate of >50% each year. By adhering to our 3 values (One Sprout, Deliver Excellence, and Integrity Matters), we are proud of our culture to move at #SproutSpeed seeking to become the emerging leader in our industry. The Datacenter Server Engineer is a hands-on technical role responsible for building, configuring, troubleshooting, and repairing servers within datacenter and ITAD environments. This position requires deep server hardware expertise, including the ability to build fully functional systems from spare parts, diagnose and resolve break/fix issues, and deliver work to a high standard with minimal supervision. The Datacenter Server Engineer plays a critical role in Sprout's datacenter services, ensuring hardware is restored, validated, and processed accurately and efficiently. This is a contract opportunity.

Requirements

Strong hands-on server hardware knowledge across major OEM platforms (e.g., Dell, HP, Supermicro, Lenovo)
Ability to build servers from spare parts and identify compatible components
Solid understanding of break/fix methodology and component-level troubleshooting
Familiarity with BIOS/UEFI, RAID, firmware, and OS installation
Ability to work independently and unsupervised to a consistently high standard
Strong attention to detail, documentation, and organizational skills
Associate's or Bachelor's degree in a related field, or equivalent hands-on experience
Several years of datacenter and server build experience
Demonstrated experience with server break/fix, troubleshooting, and hardware repair
Ability to lift and handle server hardware and perform the physical demands of datacenter work

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of Blancco or other data erasure software is a plus
Relevant certifications (e.g., CompTIA Server+, A+, or OEM hardware certifications) preferred

Responsibilities

Build fully functional servers using spare and salvaged parts, sourcing and matching compatible components
Assemble, rack, cable, and configure server hardware to defined specifications
Perform secure erasure of hard disks to prepare for re-deployment
Install and configure operating systems, firmware, BIOS/UEFI settings, and drivers as required
Validate and stress-test completed builds to confirm full functionality before deployment or processing
Understand and execute break/fix steps to diagnose and resolve server hardware and firmware faults
Systematically troubleshoot component-level failures across CPUs, memory, storage, power, and networking
Identify, replace, and re-test failed components to return systems to working order
Document diagnostic steps, root causes, and resolutions for each unit
Perform secure data erasure and destruction in line with Sprout standards and customer requirements
Maintain accurate asset records and chain-of-custody throughout the build and processing workflow
Work unsupervised and manage own workload while consistently delivering to a high standard
Take ownership of assigned units from intake through validated completion
Uphold safety, quality, and security protocols in all datacenter and workshop activities