Data center engineer

GCS Recruitment Specialists; Dundalk (MD); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

GCS Recruitment Specialists is seeking a hands-on Data Center Engineer to support critical IT infrastructure in a Dundalk, MD data center. The role involves hardware deployment, rack and stack, imaging, OS support, and incident resolution to ensure maximum uptime.

The ideal candidate will have 1+ year of hands-on IT or data center experience, strong hardware troubleshooting skills, and the ability to follow SOPs in a fast-paced environment. On-site work with on-call rotations is required.

Qualifications

• 1+ year of hands-on IT, infrastructure, desktop support, or data center experience.
• Experience troubleshooting computer hardware and operating systems.
• Knowledge of Windows 11, Linux, laptop imaging and deployment.
• Basic networking concepts (TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP).
• Hardware diagnostics and repair.

Responsibilities

• Install, rack, stack, cable, and decommission servers, network devices, and storage equipment.
• Perform hardware break/fix activities including replacement of disks, memory, power supplies, NICs, and other server components.
• Execute SOPs, maintenance activities, and approved change management requests.
• Respond to high-priority incidents and operational events impacting data center infrastructure.
• Image, configure, and deploy laptops and support equipment used within the data center environment.
• Troubleshoot hardware, operating systems, and application-related issues.
• Provide printer and peripheral support for onsite teams.
• Perform basic network troubleshooting and connectivity validation.
• Install and manage copper and fiber network cabling.
• Trace cable paths and verify port connectivity.
• Support structured cabling standards and documentation requirements.
• Maintain accurate tracking of IT assets and equipment.
• Audit inventory and ensure documentation is updated according to operational standards.
• Work ticket queues and resolve incidents within defined SLAs.
• Escalate issues appropriately when procedures do not provide a clear resolution path.
• Participate in on-call rotations and shift coverage requirements.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and operational efficiency projects.

Skills

Hands-on IT experience

Hardware troubleshooting

Attention to detail

Ability to follow SOPs

Tools

Windows 11

Linux operating systems

Laptop imaging and deployment

TCP/IP DNS DHCP

Hardware diagnostics and repair

Job description

Position Summary

We are seeking a hands-on Data center engineer to support critical IT infrastructure and operations within its data center environment. The technician will be responsible for hardware deployment, troubleshooting, asset management, rack and stack activities, network connectivity validation, break/fix support, and execution of operational procedures that ensure maximum uptime of data center services.

The ideal candidate possesses strong hardware troubleshooting abilities, understands enterprise IT infrastructure, can follow detailed SOPs, and is comfortable working in a fast-paced, mission-critical environment where attention to detail and reliability are essential.

Key Responsibilities

Data Center Operations

• Install, rack, stack, cable, and decommission servers, network devices, and storage equipment.
• Perform hardware break/fix activities including replacement of disks, memory, power supplies, NICs, and other server components.
• Execute standard operating procedures (SOPs), maintenance activities, and approved change management requests.
• Respond to high-priority incidents and operational events impacting data center infrastructure.

IT Infrastructure Support

• Image, configure, and deploy laptops and support equipment used within the data center environment.
• Support Windows 11 and Linux operating systems.
• Troubleshoot hardware, operating systems, and application-related issues.
• Provide printer and peripheral support for onsite teams.

Network & Cabling Support

• Perform basic network troubleshooting and connectivity validation.
• Install and manage copper and fiber network cabling.
• Trace cable paths and verify port connectivity.
• Support structured cabling standards and documentation requirements.

Asset & Inventory Management

• Maintain accurate tracking of IT assets and equipment.
• Support receiving, staging, deployment, and decommissioning activities.
• Audit inventory and ensure documentation is updated according to operational standards.

Operational Excellence

• Work ticket queues and resolve incidents within defined SLAs.
• Escalate issues appropriately when procedures do not provide a clear resolution path.
• Participate in on-call rotations and shift coverage requirements.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and operational efficiency projects.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 1+ year of hands-on IT, infrastructure, desktop support, or data center experience
• Experience troubleshooting computer hardware and operating systems
• Knowledge of:
• Windows 11
• Linux operating systems
• Laptop imaging and deployment
• Basic networking concepts (TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP)
• Hardware diagnostics and repair
• Experience working within a ticketing or incident management system
• Ability to lift and move IT equipment and work within a data center environment