Data Center Hardware & Cabling Engineer

ActioNet, Inc.; Suitland (MD); On-site; USD 55,104 - 82,656; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) Savings Plan

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Disability Insurance

Job summary

ActioNet, Inc. is seeking a Data Center Hardware & Cabling Engineer in Suitland, MD. The role involves hardware deployment, maintenance, and structured cabling in a data center environment. Ideal candidates must have at least 2 years of experience or a relevant technical degree, physical stamina, and technical knowledge of cabling standards. Full-time employees are eligible for benefits such as medical and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan, paid holidays, and more.

Qualifications

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and work on ladders or in confined spaces for extended periods.
• Deep understanding of TIA/EIA cabling standards, fiber polarity, and connector types.
• Must maintain electronic records on data center infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Physically install, bolt, and secure servers, switches, and PDUs into high‑density racks.
• Install and maintain structured cabling including termination of Fiber and Copper.
• Utilize DCIM tools to track equipment from 'dock to grave'.

Skills

Physical Stamina

Technical Knowledge of TIA/EIA cabling standards

Tool Proficiency

Organization

Education

2+ years of experience in a production data center environment or a degree in a relevant technical field

Tools

Cable testers (Fluke)

Label makers

Basic power tools

Job description

Data Center Hardware & Cabling Engineer | Req#4558

Note: This role is full - time 40 hours per week and will require support (5pm -10pm) on Tuesdays and Wednesday.

Hourly Rate: $40-60 an hour

Location: Suitland, MD

Candidate must be able to obtain Public Trust (federal government background investigation, with eligibility requirement - US Citizen)

Data Center Hardware & Cabling Engineer

ActioNet has an opening for an experienced, hands‑on Data Center Hardware & Cabling Engineer to join our infrastructure team. This role ensures that our servers, networking gear, and storage systems are installed, organized, and tracked. The candidate will work with team members who possess diverse backgrounds (systems engineering, system administration) and will be part of a Government Contractor Team working at Census Data Center in Bowie, MD.

If you take pride in a perfectly dressed server rack and find satisfaction in a 100% accurate asset database, you’ll fit right in.

Key Responsibilities

1. Hardware Deployment & Maintenance
   • Rack & Stack: Physically install, bolt, and secure servers, switches, and PDUs into high‑density racks.
   • Component Replacement: Perform "smart hands" tasks including swapping failed DIMMs, CPUs, hard drives, and power supplies.
   • Troubleshooting: Diagnose physical layer issues and work with remote engineering teams to restore service. Must be available weekends and evenings 25% of the year.
2. Cable Management
   • Installation: Install and maintain structured cabling in a datacenter environment including Cat 5, Cat 6 and Fiber optic network cabling, including termination of Fiber and Copper. Must be able to work evening shifts on Tuesday and Wednesday.
   • Organization: Implement cable dressing standards to ensure airflow and maintainability. Establish network connection through accurate documentation and communication with Telecommunication offices.
   • Labeling: Maintain a rigorous labeling convention for every cable at both termination points to ensure traceability without manual hunting.
3. Asset & Inventory Management
   • Lifecycle Tracking: Utilize DCIM (Data Center Infrastructure Management) tools to track equipment from "dock to grave."
   • Auditing: Conduct regular physical audits to ensure the digital inventory matches the physical reality of the floor. Perform general datacenter walkthroughs.
   • RMA Management: Handle the shipping and receiving of defective parts, ensuring all serial numbers are logged and warranties are leveraged.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Physical Stamina: Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and work on ladders or in confined spaces for extended periods.
• Technical Knowledge: Deep understanding of TIA/EIA cabling standards, fiber polarity, and connector types (LC, SC, MPO).
• Tool Proficiency: Expert use of cable testers (Fluke), label makers, and basic power tools.
• Organization: Must present an eye for detail regarding cable routing and database accuracy for Datacenter and Computer Room Assets. Must be able to maintain electronic records on datacenter infrastructure.
• Education/Experience: 2+ years of experience in a production data center environment or a degree in a relevant technical field.

Certifications

• Required - Certified Network Cable Installer (CNCI) or BISCI Technician Certification or higher
• Nice to Have - CompTIA Server+ or Network+

Benefits

Full‑time employees are eligible to participate in our benefits program:

• Medical Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• 401(k) Savings Plan
• Education and Professional Training
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Employee Referral and Merit Recognition Programs
• Employee Assistance and Identity Theft Protection
• Paid Holidays: 11 per year
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Disability Insurance

Equal Opportunity Employment

ActioNet is an equal‑opportunity employer and values inclusion at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.