Senior Data Center Engineer
About The Position
DigitalOcean is seeking a Senior Data Center Engineer to build and scale reliable data center infrastructure for its cloud and AI platform. The role is based onsite in Richmond, Virginia, and reports to the Data Center Manager. The engineer owns complex deployments and repairs with little instruction, serves as an escalation point for difficult and recurring issues, and improves team operations. The position also involves mentoring technicians and engineers, leading smaller projects, and helping establish standards that support reliable site operations. Shift schedule is to be confirmed. The role may involve 12-hour shifts during non-standard hours, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays; participation in an on-call rotation; and domestic travel of up to 10%, including occasional overnight stays at other sites.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or four years of equivalent work experience.
- Three years of experience troubleshooting IT systems.
- Experience deploying and troubleshooting GPU hardware at scale for AI workloads.
- Strong understanding of infrastructure hardware deployment and troubleshooting across networking, hardware, and Linux operating systems.
- Strong understanding of Linux operating systems and proficiency with bash scripting.
- Working knowledge of data center power and cooling, and a strong understanding of cabling plans and best practices.
- Strong problem-solving skills and comfort performing deep technical dives to resolve issues quickly and efficiently.
- Ability to operate and navigate effectively through ambiguity.
- Experience mentoring or training junior engineers and technicians.
- Willingness to participate in an on-call rotation.
- Ability to travel domestically up to 10%, including travel between multiple locations during the workday and occasional overnight stays at other sites.
- Ability to be on your feet all day and lift objects up to 50 pounds.
- May be required to work 12-hour shifts, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.
Responsibilities
- Own complex deployments from start to finish, including GPU and AI infrastructure, servers, network, and storage hardware.
- Troubleshoot complex and recurring hardware, network, GPU, and Linux operating system issues as an escalation point.
- Lead reviews of data center events and incidents, identify root causes using data, and drive fixes through timely resolution and closure.
- Review new data center spaces, cages, and suites against power, cooling, and cabling standards.
- Write, review, and approve operational documentation, runbooks, and procedures, and improve and standardize site procedures.
- Track and report operational metrics and recommend improvements.
- Provide input on hardware, materials, and staffing needs for upcoming projects.
- Lead site-wide projects and mentor Data Center Technicians and Engineers.
- Partner with peers and leaders across teams, sharing knowledge through documentation, demos, and team learning sessions.
- Ensure RMA, inventory, and asset management processes are followed consistently at the site.
Benefits
- Annual bonus plan eligibility for non-sales roles, subject to plan terms and local eligibility.
- May be eligible for a new-hire equity grant, subject to plan terms and local eligibility.
- Eligible employees may receive equity compensation, including a new-hire equity grant and, in participating countries, the opportunity to participate in an Employee Stock Purchase Program.
- Reimbursement for relevant conferences, training, and education, subject to company policy.
- Benefits may include flexible time off, local team meetups, and mental health and well-being support.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
