Data Center Lead - Houston

Meta; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 111,000 - 159,000; Full time

Job summary

Meta is seeking a Data Center Lead in Houston to oversee a team of Data Center Server Repair Technicians. You will drive growth from supervised work to independent operation, maintain safety and quality standards, and partner with Fleet Ops and cross-functional teams to keep the fleet healthy.

You will manage biweekly 1:1s, proficiency milestones, performance reviews, and site scheduling for 24/7 coverage, including on-call rotations.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of data center, IT, or network operations experience.
• Technical familiarity with server and network hardware, including break/fix, cabling, and optics.
• Track record of safety and quality in a hands-on operational environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication; ability to escalate.
• Ability to work onsite and support a 24/7 operation, including on-call rotation.

Responsibilities

• Directly manage Data Center Server Repair Technicians and conduct biweekly 1:1s; set goals and growth plans.
• Ensure technicians achieve proficiency milestones and track qualifications.
• Write performance reviews; address gaps with FOM and HR partner.
• Own site shift schedule, weekend/off-hours rotation; manage coverage.
• Lead incident response; coordinate across ProdOps engineers and SMEs for fixes.
• Enforce safety, MOP adherence, ticket hygiene, and documentation; maintain escalation discipline.
• Communicate strategy and priorities to the team; represent site in leadership reviews.
• Coach technicians on responsible AI use and interpreting AI diagnoses.

Skills

Data center operations

Server repair knowledge

Safety & quality focus

Strong communication

Onsite 24/7 support

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or CS

Tools

Linux

Structured cabling

Fiber optics

Job description

As part of the Fleet Operations, Reliability and Central Engineering (“FORCE”) team at Meta, the Data Center Lead (“DCL”) leads a team of Data Center Server Repair Technicians responsible for server break/fix at a Meta data center site. Reporting to a Fleet Operations Manager (“FOM”), the DCL owns team performance, coverage, and development for their sites while serving as the operational escalation point for the team. This is a hands‑on leadership role built for someone who can grow technicians from supervised execution to independent operation, hold a high quality and safety bar, and partner across Fleet Ops and cross functional partners to keep the fleet healthy.

Data Center Lead - Houston Responsibilities:

• People development. Directly manage Data Center Server Repair Technicians. Run biweekly 1:1s, set clear goals, and build personalized growth roadmaps that move technicians from supervised work toward independent operation. Give real‑time, actionable feedback.
• Proficiency management. Ensure each technician clears defined proficiency milestones: data center fundamentals, safety certification, MOP execution, and “Independent” status. Track qualification by platform so work assignment matches demonstrated skill.
• Team Performance. Author performance reviews, hold a high standard of excellence in performance and results. Address performance gaps promptly in partnership with your FOM and HR Employee Relations partner.
• Coverage and scheduling. Own the site shift schedule, weekend rotation, and on‑call rotation. Build coverage that meets the needs of a 24/7 operation, distributes weekend and off‑hours duty equitably, and keeps experienced technicians on every shift. Allocate work across the team and surface capacity risks to your FOM early, with mitigation options attached.
• Incident leadership. Serve as the site operational escalation point for technicians. Lead response to site‑impacting events, coordinate across functions, and ensure clean handoffs. Partner with ProdOps engineers and SMEs for deep technical diagnosis and systemic fixes.
• Quality, standards, and safety. Hold the bar on MOP adherence, ticket hygiene, documentation, and escalation etiquette. Enforce safety and security protocols in the data hall without exception, including tool use, lifting, and hot‑aisle work. Safety sets the tone for everything else the team does.
• Communication and representation. Cascade organizational strategy and priorities in terms that connect to daily work. Represent the site team in leadership forums and cross‑functional reviews. Bring honest field feedback back to your FOM and to leadership.
• AI leadership. Coach technicians on responsible AI use, including when to trust and when to challenge an AI‑generated diagnosis, and ensure they can articulate the impact AI has on their results.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 4+ years of data center, IT, or network operations experience
• Demonstrated technical familiarity with server and network hardware, including break/fix, cabling, and optics
• Track record of holding a safety and quality bar in a hands‑on operational environment
• Strong written and verbal communication, including the ability to escal…
• Ability to work onsite and support a 24/7 operation, including participation in an on‑call rotation

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior people‑management experience, including performance and development ownership. Strong technicians who have led shifts or mentored others are also encouraged to apply
• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering field, Computer Science, or equivalent practical experience
• Experience building or running shift coverage and on‑call rotations
• Familiarity with Linux, structured cabling, and fiber optics standards
• Experience onboarding and developing entry‑level technical talent
• Experience partnering with facilities, network engineering, or vendor teams

About Meta:

Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. People who choose to build their careers by building with us at Meta help shape a future that will take us beyond what digital connection makes possible today—beyond the constraints of screens, the limits of distance, and even the rules of physics.

Meta is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Aff… We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Meta participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations, as required by law. Please note that Meta may leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies in connection with applications for employment.

Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let us know at [e-mail].

$111,000/year to $159,000/year + bonus + equity + benefits

Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate, monthly rate, or annual salary only, and do not include bonus, equity or sales incentives, if applicable. In addition to base compensation, Meta offers benefits. Learn more about benefits at Meta.