Data Center Lead - Houston

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

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Equity

Benefits

Job summary

Meta is seeking a Data Center Lead in Houston to manage a team of Data Center Server Repair Technicians and drive performance, safety, and reliability across 24/7 operations. The role combines hands-on leadership with cross-functional collaboration to ensure rapid diagnosis and robust fixes.

You will coach technicians, oversee on-call rotations, and escalate issues while maintaining high standards for safety, quality, and process adherence.

Qualifications

• 4+ years in data center, IT, or network operations.
• Experience leading technicians or teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication; ability to escalate clearly.
• On-site work and participation in 24/7 on-call rotation.

Responsibilities

• Directly manage Data Center Server Repair Technicians; biweekly 1:1s and growth roadmaps.
• Own site shift schedule, weekend rotation, and on-call coverage.
• Lead incident response and coordinate cross-functional diagnosis and fixes.
• Maintain safety, quality, and adherence to MOPs; enforce ticket hygiene and documentation.

Skills

Leadership

On-site availability

Communication

Incident response

Team development

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or CS

Tools

Linux

Structured cabling

Fiber optics

Server hardware

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 experienceDemonstrated technical familiarity with server and network hardware, including break/fix, cabling, and opticsTrack record of holding a safety and quality bar in a hands-on operational environmentStrong written and verbal communication, including the ability to escalate clearly and represent the team to partnersAbility to work onsite and support a 24/7 operation, including participation in an on-call rotationPreferred Qualifications:Prior people-management experience, including performance and development ownership. Strong technicians who have led shifts or mentored others are also encouraged to applyBachelor's degree in an engineering field, Computer Science, or equivalent practical experienceExperience building or running shift coverage and on-call rotationsFamiliarity with Linux, structured cabling, and fiber optics standardsExperience onboarding and developing entry-level technical talentExperience partnering with facilities, network engineering, or vendor teamsAbout 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 Affirmative Action employer. 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 + benefitsIndividual 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.