Data Center & Lab Technician - AI Accelerator Infrastructure - Contract

d-Matrix inc.; Santa Clara (CA); Hybrid; USD 48,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

d-Matrix in Santa Clara seeks a Data Center & Lab Technician for a one-year contract with potential full-time conversion. This ownership role is hands-on, requires independent work, and precise documentation.

You will rack and stack servers, perform hardware bring-up, manage asset inventory, and coordinate lab moves. You will escalate issues with clear reproduction steps and maintain audit-ready lab environments.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in data center operations, hardware validation, or systems technician roles.
• Proven rack-and-stack experience: physical server installation, PDU and patch panel cabling, rack power planning, and cable management.
• Hardware bring-up experience: BIOS/UEFI configuration, firmware updates, component replacement, and OS installation across Linux distributions.
• Linux command-line proficiency: diagnostics, logs, and runbooks.
• Asset management discipline: DCIM or inventory tools with accurate records.
• Strong written communication: documenting work, context, and SOPs.
• Comfortable operating independently in a fast-moving startup.

Responsibilities

• Rack, stack, cable, and decommission servers in on-prem labs and colo facilities.
• Perform hardware bring-up for AI-accelerated systems: BIOS config, firmware validation, OS install (Linux).
• Replace components across server generations and maintain audit-ready lab spaces.
• Maintain asset records with DCIM tools and coordinate moves, shipping, and RMA workflows.
• Diagnose hardware failures and escalate with reproducible steps to SRE.
• Document actions in ticketing and knowledge bases; contribute to runbooks.
• Write SOPs and rack diagrams to guide new technicians.

Skills

Data center operations

Hardware validation

Systems technician

Rack and stack

Linux command line

DCIM tooling

Documentation

Independent work

Lab equipment

SRE collaboration

Tools

NetBox

Jira

Ansible

Linux

Job description

At d-Matrix, we are focused on unleashing the potential of generative AI to power the transformation of technology. We are at the forefront of software and hardware innovation, pushing the boundaries of what is possible.Our culture is one of respect and collaboration.

We value humility and believe in direct communication. Our team is inclusive, and our differing perspectives allow for better solutions. We are seeking individuals passionate about tackling challenges and are driven by execution. Ready to come find your playground? Together, we can help shape the endless possibilities of AI.

Data Center & Lab Technician - AI Accelerator Infrastructure - Contract
d-Matrix designs purpose-built AI inference silicon. Our unified infrastructure team, SRE engineers, DevOps engineers, and data center & lab technicians own the physical and virtual layer that every engineering team depends on. As a DC & lab technician, you are the hands and feet of that team: racking servers, running cables, executing hardware bring-ups, and keeping lab environments in the precise, audit-ready state that high-velocity silicon and software development demands.

About the Role

This is a one-year contract with potential for a full-time conversion. This is an ownership role, not a ticket executor role. You operate independently, document what you build, and escalare with precision when something needs engineering attention.

What You Will Do

Physical Infrastructure & Hardware Bring-Up

• Rack, stack, cable, and decommission servers, PDUs, network gear, and storage in on-premises labs and colocation facilities.
• Execute hardware bring-up for d-Matrix AI-accelerated systems and validation test benches, including BIOS configuration, firmware validation, and OS installation (Linux primary).
• Replace and upgrade components: PCIe cards, NICs, storage, memory, and accelerator hardware across multiple server generations.
• Maintain lab spaces in organized, ESD-compliant, and audit-ready condition at all times.

Asset Management & Inventory

• Own accurate asset tracking and inventory records using DCIM tools (NetBox, Jira, or equivalent); every piece of hardware is accounted for with the current configuration state.
• Coordinate equipment moves between lab, staging, and colocation; manage shipping, receiving, and RMA workflows.
• Track hardware lifecycle status: warranty, EOL, refresh schedules, and spare parts inventory.

Troubleshooting & Incident Support

• Diagnose and resolve hardware failures, power and thermal issues, and network connectivity problems — escalating to SRE engineers with clear documentation and reproduction steps.
• Serve as the first physical responder for infrastructure incidents requiring hands-on intervention in lab or colo environments.
• Document all troubleshooting actions in the team’s ticketing and knowledge base systems, contributing to runbooks that reduce repeat escalations.

Documentation & Collaboration

• Write and maintain SOPs, rack diagrams, and cabling guides clear enough for a new technician to execute without shadowing.
• Communicate issues and status across hardware, software, SRE, and silicon validation teams professionally and with precision.
• Support parallel workstreams as silicon development programs evolve; operate independently when SREs are heads-down on engineering work.

What You Will Bring

Minimum Qualifications

• 3+ years in data center operations, hardware validation, or systems technician roles, hands-on with real servers.
• Proven rack-and-stack experience: physical server installation, PDU and patch panel cabling, rack power planning, and cable management to professional standards.
• Hardware bring-up experience: BIOS/UEFI configuration, firmware updates, component replacement, and OS installation across Linux distributions.
• Linux command-line proficiency: enough to run diagnostics, inspect logs, and execute runbooks independently.
• Asset management discipline: experience with DCIM or inventory tools and a track record of accurate, up-to-date records.
• Strong written communication: you document what you do, escalare with context, and write SOPs others can follow.
• Comfortable operating independently in a fast-moving startup environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior colocation data center experience (Equinix, CoreSite, Digital Realty, or similar).
• Experience with AI/ML or GPU hardware: NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel accelerator cards in a lab or production environment.
• Basic Ansible exposure — able to run playbooks and understand what they do.
• Familiarity with high-speed interconnects: InfiniBand, RoCE, SFP/QSFP optics.
• Python or Bash scripting for operational task automation.

Why This Role

You will be a critical part of the infrastructure that powers d-Matrix’s AI hardware development programs. In a small, high-ownership team, your work is immediately visible; when you bring up a system cleanly, the engineers depending on it notice. If you take pride in physical infrastructure done right and want to work at the cutting edge of AI silicon development, this is the role for you.

Equal Opportunity Employment Policy

d-Matrix is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and affirmative action employer. We’re committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcomed and empowered to do their best work. We hire the best talent for our teams, regardless of race, religion, color, age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, ancestry, genetic information, marital status, national origin, political affiliation, or veteran status. Our focus is on hiring teammates with humble expertise, kindness, dedication and a willingness to embrace challenges and learn together every day.

d-Matrix does not accept resumes or candidate submissions from external agencies. We appreciate the interest and effort of recruitment firms, but we kindly request that individual interested in opportunities with d-Matrix apply directly through our official channels. This approach allows us to streamline our hiring processes and maintain a consistent and fair evaluation of al applicants. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.