Data Center Operations Lead

Thales Group; Austin, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Thales Group is seeking an Data Center Operations Lead in Austin to oversee day-to-day data center and cloud infrastructure, ensuring availability, performance, and security across global services. You will provide technical leadership, coordinate major incidents, and drive automation to improve operations.

The role requires 5–8+ years in IT infrastructure/data center ops, expertise in Windows/Linux, VMware, AWS/Azure, and strong scripting and collaboration skills for cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant field.
• 5-8+ years of IT infrastructure or data center operations experience.
• 2+ years leading technical or operational teams.
• Strong knowledge of Windows and Linux server administration.
• Experience with VMware and cloud platforms (AWS/Azure).
• Experience with monitoring and incident management tools.
• Knowledge of networking, storage, DNS, load balancing, and firewalls.
• Experience with scripting (PowerShell, Python, Bash).
• Excellent written and verbal communication; able to work across global teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations of production data center and cloud infrastructure.
• Coordinate and manage major incidents and escalations during U.S. business hours.
• Ensure infrastructure availability, performance, and security with standards.
• Develop runbooks and operational procedures; drive automation initiatives.
• Coordinate maintenance, upgrades, and change implementations with engineering teams.
• Mentor operations engineers and collaborate with Security, Network, and Cloud teams.
• Participate in on-call rotations and track service metrics and capacity.

Skills

Windows admin

Linux admin

VMware

AWS

Azure

Monitoring tools

Incident management

Scripting

PowerShell

Python

Bash

Networking basics

Firewalls

DNS

Load balancing

ITIL

Education

Bachelor's degree in field

Master’s degree in field

Tools

VMware vSphere

Cloud platforms

Job description

## Data Center Operations LeadApply: Hybrid: Austin: Full time: Posted Yesterday: R0339394Location: Austin, United States of AmericaThales people architect identity management and data protection solutions at the heart of digital security. Business and governments rely on us to bring trust to the billions of digital interactions they have with people. Our technologies and services help banks exchange funds, people cross borders, energy become smarter and much more. More than 30,000 organizations already rely on us to verify the identities of people and things, grant access to digital services, analyze vast quantities of information and encrypt data to make the connected world more secure.**This is a hybrid position in Austin, TX****Position Summary**The Data Center Operations Lead is responsible for leading day-to-day data center and infrastructure operations, ensuring the availability, reliability, and security of critical production environments. This role provides technical leadership, operational oversight, incident coordination, and continuous service improvement while supporting global infrastructure with dedicated coverage during U.S. business hours. The position works closely with engineering, cloud, security, and cross-functional teams to maintain high service availability and operational excellence.**Essential Functions*** Lead daily operations of production data center and cloud infrastructure supporting global services.* Coordinate and manage major incidents, problem management, and operational escalations during U.S. business hours.* Ensure infrastructure availability, performance, security, and compliance with operational standards.* Develop and maintain operational procedures, documentation, and runbooks.* Drive automation and continuous improvement initiatives to increase operational efficiency.* Coordinate maintenance activities, upgrades, and change implementations with engineering teams.* Monitor infrastructure health and proactively identify operational risks.* Mentor and provide technical guidance to operations engineers.* Collaborate with Security, Network, Cloud, and Product Engineering teams to resolve complex infrastructure issues.* Participate in on-call rotations and operational leadership as required.* Track operational metrics, service levels, and capacity planning.**Minimum Requirements*** Bachelor’s degree in field with a minimum of 5-8+ years of relevant work experience or Master’s degree in field with 4+ years of relevant work experience* 7+ years of IT infrastructure or data center operations experience.* 2+ years leading technical or operational teams.* Strong knowledge of Windows and Linux server administration.* Experience supporting VMware or other virtualization platforms.* Experience with cloud platforms such as AWS or Azure.* Experience with enterprise monitoring and incident management tools.* Knowledge of networking fundamentals, storage, DNS, load balancing, and firewalls.* Experience with scripting or automation (PowerShell, Python, Bash, or similar).* Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.* Excellent written and verbal communication skills.* Ability to work effectively across global teams.**Preferred Qualifications*** Experience leading global infrastructure operations.* Experience supporting cybersecurity products or SaaS platforms.* ITIL Foundation certification.* Microsoft, VMware, AWS, or Azure certifications.* Experience with Infrastructure as Code and automation frameworks.* Experience managing major incidents in a 24x7 production environment.**Travel: Up to 10% travel for team meetings, data center activities, and operational planning.****Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer at the time of hire. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or for assuming sponsorship of an employment visa now or in the future.**