Data Center Operations Engineer

SMR Worldwide; Elk Grove Township (IL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Sprout is seeking a hands-on Datacenter Operations Engineer to manage the physical lifecycle of infrastructure in client data centers. You will handle suite builds, equipment deployment, inventory, and break/fix support, from deployment through decommission and secure removal.

Reporting to the Senior Manager – Field Services, you will maintain asset records, comply with chain-of-custody, and perform data sanitization to industry standards while coordinating with vendors and clients.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of hands-on data center operations experience across inventory, suites, decommissions, data sanitization, break/fix, and cabling.
• Solid knowledge of server, storage, and network hardware, plus structured cabling and power distribution.
• Strong understanding of physical security practices and chain-of-custody for data-bearing equipment.
• Self-starter who plans and executes work independently with little supervision.
• Detail-oriented with clear written and verbal communication for clients, colleagues, and vendors.
• Able to perform physically demanding work and pass a background check for client site access.
• Preferred: industry certifications (e.g. CompTIA, BICSI) and ITAD or secure data destruction experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage equipment and spares inventory, keeping asset records, serial numbers, and locations accurate and auditable.
• Build out data center suites and deploy equipment — racking, stacking, power, and turn‑up to documented standards.
• Decommission suites and remove equipment under strict chain‑of‑custody, from de‑cabling and de‑racking through secure pack‑out.
• Perform and document hard disk data sanitization to standards such as NIST SP 800-88. Handle daily break/fix and remote‑hands requests, including component replacement, troubleshooting, and vendor RMAs.
• Install, dress, and label copper and fiber cabling, and keep cabling and port documentation current.
• Follow data center security, access, and change‑control procedures for all work on client sites.
• Ability to work in a live workload environment and perform work without incidents.

Skills

Self-starter

Attention to detail

Clear communication

Independent work

Physical stamina

Client coordination

Education

CompTIA certification

BICSI certification

Job description

Overview

Sprout (www.Sproutup.com) is a rapidly growing IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) provider and electronics recycler. We are a growing GREEN company that has a customized ERP platform to manage our business. Sprout leverages data and analytics to make IT asset disposition flawless for the world’s leading enterprise. In the quest for smooth IT infrastructure refreshes, superior technology is only half the solution. The other half is uncompromising customer service. Our world-class customer service teams’ partner with companies at every turn to deliver solutions that make life (and the world) better. Sprout is a certified Great Place to Work®

Contract to Hire role

The Datacenter Operations Engineer is a hands‑on technical role responsible for the physical lifecycle of infrastructure in Sprout’s client data center environments — from suite build and equipment deployment, through day‑to‑day inventory and break/fix support, to decommission, data sanitization, and secure equipment removal. We are looking for a self‑starter who can own a queue of work and execute to a high standard with minimal supervision. The role reports to the Senior Manager – Field Services.

Responsibilities

• Manage equipment and spares inventory, keeping asset records, serial numbers, and locationsaccurate and auditable.
• Build out data center suites and deploy equipment — racking, stacking, power, and turn‑up todocumented standards.
• Decommission suites and remove equipment under strict chain‑of‑custody, from de‑cabling andde‑racking through secure pack‑out.
• Perform and document hard disk data sanitization (wipe, degauss, or destroy) to recognized standards such as NIST SP 800-88. Handle daily break/fix and remote‑hands requests, including component replacement, troubleshooting, and vendor RMAs.
• Install, dress, and label copper and fiber cabling, and keep cabling and port documentation current.
• Follow data center security, access, and change‑control procedures for all work on client sites.
• Ability to work in a live workload environment and perform work without incidents.

Qualifications

• 3+ years’ hands‑on data center operations experience across inventory, suite builds,decommissions, data sanitization, break/fix, and cabling.
• Solid knowledge of server, storage, and network hardware, plus structured cabling and power distribution.
• Strong understanding of physical security practices and chain‑of‑custody for data‑bearing equipment.
• Self‑starter who plans and executes work independently with little supervision.
• Detail‑oriented, with clear written and verbal communication for clients, colleagues, and vendors.
• Able to perform physically demanding work and pass a background check for client site access.
• Preferred: industry certifications (e.g. CompTIA, BICSI) and ITAD or secure data destruction experience.

EEO – Equal Employment Opportunity

The Company is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, sex, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, gender, ethnicity, religion, national origin, ancestry, nationality, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, or on any other basis prohibited by law (except where an attribute is a bona fide occupational qualification).