IT Shop Manager (Hardware & Lab Operations)

University of Texas at Austin

6d•$75,000•Onsite

About The Position

The IT Shop Manager (Hardware & Lab Operations) manages the department’s IT hardware operations function and is a hands-on technical contributor for IT shop services across various instructional and research environments. The role performs and oversees day-to-day physical IT work in technical spaces, including hardware receiving and staging, rack installation, network cabling (including pulls and terminations), and safe power distribution and documentation for servers, network equipment, and lab research and teaching systems. The position supports a wide variety of lab configurations and research needs, requiring strong troubleshooting skills, sound judgment, and comfort working with both established and emerging technologies. The role also supports physical space readiness and coordinates moves and changeovers, supervising student workers and mentoring staff on shop standards, safety practices, labeling, and documentation. Work may range from routine lifecycle tasks to supporting unique research lab requirements, and the role is expected to adapt quickly while maintaining safety and documentation standards. The position supports the department’s printing environment by assisting with day-to-day printer and copier operations, coordinating maintenance, and performing troubleshooting and repair. It also supports the physical lifecycle of department equipment by assisting with tagging, location verification, minor troubleshooting and hardware repairs (e.g., component replacement), vendor repair logistics, and surplus coordination, in partnership with operations leadership, systems/network staff, and student workers.

Requirements

3+ years of experience in IT logistics, datacenter/lab support, low-voltage/network cabling, print services support, AV operations, or similar hands-on operational support environments.
Demonstrated experience handling IT hardware safely, including workstations and servers, with experience in staging, moving, and basic installation support.
Demonstrated experience performing network cable pulls and terminations, including labeling, testing/verification, and documentation.
Experience providing first-line support for printers/copiers, including consumables replacement, basic troubleshooting, and coordinating repairs or service calls.
Experience supervising, training, or directing student workers or junior staff in a technical or operational environment.
Ability to follow defined standards for labeling, documentation, and physical configuration work.
Comfort with physical work, including moving equipment, lifting, using carts, and working in racks and wiring closets, while following safe material-handling practices.
Strong customer service skills and the ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, students, vendors, and campus partners.
Basic competency with tracking work using tools such as ticketing systems, spreadsheets, or work order systems.
Valid Texas Class C driver’s license (or ability to obtain/maintain one as required) and ability to be authorized under University driving requirements to operate department vehicles and UT carts as needed.
Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting facilities operations or minor building support tasks in a technical environment.
Experience supporting server rooms, IDFs/MDFs, teaching labs, or research lab environments.
Familiarity with rack standards, including rails, PDUs, cable management, patch panels, labeling conventions, and basic network port verification practices.
Experience coordinating surplus/disposal processes.
Experience directing or coordinating student workers in support of operational tasks.
Basic familiarity with ESD-safe handling practices and hardware documentation.
Familiarity with University of Texas at Austin processes and partners (e.g., Surplus Property, Facilities/zone shops, and common service request workflows) or similar large campus/institutional environments.