Data Center Manager (MSIC)

Colsa; Huntsville, Northern (AL, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid Time Off

Job summary

COLSA Corporation in Huntsville, AL seeks a Data Center Manager to lead the planning, deployment and management of our physical server environments, including racks, power, cooling, cabling and documentation.

You will translate customer requirements into reliable infrastructure, oversee lab and production environments, manage lifecycle, maintain security and COMSEC standards, and collaborate with stakeholders to ensure uninterrupted service.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in IT, Engineering, or a related technical field or equivalent experience.
• 5–8 years of infrastructure operations, data center, or communications management experience.
• Experience in copper and fiber installations, terminations, and testing.
• Active U.S. citizenship with DoD Top Secret clearance and SCI eligibility; CI Polygraph within 180 days.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and work in data center environments.

Responsibilities

• Oversee hardware installation, rack integration, and lifecycle maintenance for servers and network devices.
• Manage structured cabling and airflow optimization.
• Perform root-cause analysis and real-time troubleshooting for physical connectivity issues.
• Direct asset lifecycle management and inventory tracking.
• Collaborate with customers and stakeholders to design infrastructure layouts.
• Maintain topology maps, cable diagrams, and rack configurations; enforce security compliance.
• Conduct floor audits and ensure change-control and quality standards.

Skills

Data center management

Infrastructure planning

Cable management

Troubleshooting

Documentation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in IT or engineering

Tools

Testing equipment (copper/fiber)

Rack deployment tools

Job description

COLSA Corporation is seeking a Data Center Manager to support the Missile and Space Intelligence Center (MSIC) in Huntsville, AL. This position will lead the planning, deployment, and management of our physical server environments, including rack integration, power, cooling, cabling, and infrastructure documentation. You will translate customer requirements into reliable physical infrastructure and oversee our lab and production environments, ensuring hardware is properly installed, powered, cabled, documented, and protected.

Responsibilities include overseeing the full lifecycle of data center equipment, managing high-density cabling projects, optimizing airflow and cooling, and maintaining accurate infrastructure documentation. You will also manage the decommissioning of end-of-life hardware and coordinate with logistics and security personnel to ensure compliance with applicable policies and standards.

As a key liaison for customers and stakeholders, you will develop physical and network infrastructure layouts based on technical requirements while maintaining established wiring, labeling, security, and configuration standards.

• Physical Infrastructure & Deployment: Lead hardware installation, rack integration, and lifecycle maintenance for servers, network switches, and secure communications assets across fixed facilities and deployable systems.
• Cabling & Connectivity: Implement and maintain structured cabling solutions (fiber/copper) following industry best practices for airflow, signal integrity, cable management, and long‑term maintainability.
• Systems Integration & Troubleshooting: Conduct root‑cause investigations, diagnostic testing, and real‑time troubleshooting for physical‑layer connectivity, network outages, hardware failures, and system software deficiencies.
• Lifecycle & Inventory Management: Direct lifecycle asset management, maintenance standards, and project‑specific inventory tracking to support equipment readiness and minimize downtime during deployments.
• Customer Liaison & Operations Support: Work directly with senior leadership and internal and external stakeholders to gather requirements, design physical and network infrastructure layouts, and ensure seamless service delivery.
• Documentation & Standards: Maintain authoritative operational documentation, including topology maps, cable diagrams, and rack configurations. Enforce established labeling and COMSEC/security compliance standards.
• Quality & Environmental Controls: Perform regular floor audits, monitor environmental and power systems, including PDUs and cooling, and ensure change‑control and quality standards are consistently met.

At COLSA, people are our most valuable resource and are at the center of our core values. We invite you to unite your talents with opportunity and become part of our “Family of Professionals!” Learn more about our employee‑centric culture and benefits here: https://colsa.com/culture_benefits

Required Experience

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in IT, Engineering, or related technical field or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 5–8 years of related experience in infrastructure operations, systems deployment, data center operations, or communications management.
• Proven experience in infrastructure planning and design, including establishing pathways, space allocation, and executing the full lifecycle of copper and fiber installations, including pulling, termination, and splicing.
• Advanced proficiency with industry‑standard testing equipment used to validate copper and fiber performance and troubleshoot physical‑layer connectivity issues.
• Demonstrated ability to perform complex retrofits and hardware upgrades within live data center environments while minimizing disruption to existing services.
• U.S. Citizenship required;Must possess an active DoD Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility and be able to successfully complete a Counterintelligence (CI) Polygraph within 180 days of hire.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) eligibility and program access as required.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation, and work in a data center environment, including standing, kneeling, and working in hot and cold aisles.

Preferred Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience leading technical teams, managing large‑scale equipment portfolios, or managing 24/7 technical control facilities or data centers.
• Active CompTIA Network+ or equivalent network/infrastructure certification and Security+ or equivalent security certification.
• Working knowledge of network convergence, multi‑service communications integration, and physical‑to‑logical system handoffs.
• Active DoD Top Secret clearance with SCI access and a current Counterintelligence (CI) Polygraph.

Applicant selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. COLSA Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Minorities/Females/Veterans/Disabled. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.

Salary Type

Annually

The salary range, if referenced, represents a good faith estimate. COLSA considers various factors when determining base salary offers, but not limited to, location, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s particular combination of education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, as well as contract‑specific affordability and organizational requirements.

• COLSA offers a comprehensive and customizeable benefits program which includes Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short‑Term Disability, Long‑Term Disability, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Supplemental Income Protection Programs, 401(k) with company match, Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program, Education & Certification Reimbursement, Employee Discount Program, Paid Time Off and Holidays.

This position will be posted for a minimum of 3 business days. If a candidate has not been selected at that time, it will continue to be posted until a suitable candidate is selected or the position is closed.