Senior Deployment Engineer

DigitalOcean•Seattle, WA

4h•$105,000 - $132,000•Hybrid

About The Position

At DigitalOcean, Senior Deployment Engineers play a critical role in building and scaling the physical infrastructure that powers our cloud platform. Our Deployment team is responsible for new data center builds, infrastructure expansions, hardware deployments, cabling validation, site readiness, and repeatable execution standards that enable DigitalOcean to grow quickly and reliably. From leading deployment workstreams to validating infrastructure readiness, driving contractor execution, troubleshooting complex blockers, and training local teams, our Senior Deployment Engineers operate across the full deployment lifecycle. You’ll join a collaborative, fast-moving team with opportunities to support large-scale deployments, new data center expansions, and next-generation infrastructure. This role requires significant onsite deployment support and requires very high levels of domestic and international travel based on project needs.

Requirements

4+ years of experience deploying, operating, or supporting infrastructure in large-scale data center, cloud, lab, networking, or technical operations environments
Strong understanding of data center infrastructure, including compute, networking, storage, GPU hardware, cabling, power, rack layouts, and physical deployment standards
Experience deploying and troubleshooting high-density compute platforms, GPU infrastructure, and related hardware
Strong Linux knowledge and command-line experience, including familiarity with bash scripting, logs, and diagnostic workflows
Strong troubleshooting skills across hardware, cabling, Linux OS, network connectivity, optics, provisioning, and tooling
Strong understanding of data center cabling plans, port mapping, front-end and back-end network patterns, labeling standards, and deployment best practices
Ability to lead assigned deployment workstreams independently in ambiguous, high-cadence environments
Ability to direct contractors and vendors professionally, validate completed work, correct quality issues, and drive task completion
Ability to evaluate deployment issues, identify root cause, leverage data, and drive timely resolution
Ability to communicate clearly with leadership and cross-functional partners regarding status, risk, blockers, and recommended next steps
Ability to update, review, and improve deployment documentation, runbooks, validation workflows, and operational procedures
Experience training and developing junior engineers, local site teams, vendors, and contractors
Ability to operate and navigate effectively through ambiguity while maintaining safety, quality, and execution standards
Strong ownership mindset with the ability to see deployment issues through to resolution
Ability to identify repeat deployment issues and recommend scalable process, tooling, or documentation improvements
The ability to travel domestically and internationally based on deployment needs
Support deployment schedules that include extended onsite periods, non-standard hours, or project-based rotations
Valid driver’s license and comfort with driving as needed

Nice To Haves

Experience working with or supporting liquid-cooled infrastructure preferred

Responsibilities

Leading deployment workstreams for new data center builds, expansions, hardware rollouts, rack buildouts, cluster deployments, and high-density compute infrastructure
Acting as a senior onsite deployment resource for build quality, infrastructure validation, cabling validation, training, and site readiness
Validating vendor and contractor rack and stack work against DigitalOcean design standards, rack elevations, cabling plans, labeling requirements, and deployment procedures
Verifying physical readiness, including power feeds, redundancy, load balancing, rack layout, hardware placement, cable routing, labeling, and infrastructure documentation
Validating front-end and back-end cabling against design, port mapping, LLDP output, link checks, and internal validation workflows
Running and interpreting LLDP checks, automation scripts, tooling outputs, logs, and hardware diagnostics to confirm connectivity and deployment readiness
Identifying and driving correction of miswires, optic issues, link inconsistencies, communication errors, hardware faults, provisioning blockers, and physical layout issues
Troubleshooting complex issues across hardware, cabling, network-adjacent systems, Linux OS, tooling, and site conditions during high-pressure deployment windows
Coordinating contractors, vendors, and internal employees in a project capacity to complete assigned deployment workstreams
Sequencing work, assigning tasks, validating quality, tracking progress, and escalating blockers for assigned deployment areas
Training new DigitalOcean engineers, local Data Center Operations teams, vendors, and contractors on rack and stack standards, cabling patterns, validation workflows, and basic troubleshooting
Maintaining and improving deployment runbooks, validation workflows, operational procedures, checklists, and handoff documentation
Updating and validating DCTrack, NetBox handoff requirements, asset records, inventory systems, and deployment documentation
Providing daily status updates for assigned workstreams, including progress, risks, blockers, vendor issues, and recommended mitigation steps
Partnering with Data Center Operations, Network Engineering, Infrastructure Engineering, Logistics, Facilities, Security, Procurement, and vendors to drive deployment readiness
Supporting operational readiness and handoff for newly deployed infrastructure
Participating in lessons learned and driving improvements that reduce repeat issues across future deployments
Supporting planning and preparation for upcoming deployments during offsite periods