Data Center Operations Team Lead

Milestone Technologies, Inc.; Texas; Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Milestone Technologies, Inc. is seeking a Data Center Team Lead to oversee daily operations in a large-scale AI and accelerated computing environment. You will coordinate Data Center Technicians and Network Technicians, ensure shift readiness, and drive adherence to procedures in a 24x7 setting.

Reporting to the Site Lead, you will manage escalation, deployment support, asset control, and incident response, while developing the team and maintaining safety and quality standards across the site.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in data center operations or similar environments.
• 2+ years in a lead, supervisory, or informal leadership capacity.
• Experience working in 24x7 mission-critical operational environments.
• Strong understanding of hardware diagnostics and deployment procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate technical teams and manage competing priorities.
• Current valid driver's license; ability to pass MVR check.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily data center operations and coordinate technicians.
• Manage shift staffing, task prioritization, and handoffs.
• Serve as primary escalation point for technical issues on shift.
• Support deployments, commissioning, and site expansion activities.
• Oversee asset and inventory management, RMA workflows, and documentation.
• Lead incident response and post-incident root cause follow-up.
• Mentor and develop the team; enforce SOPs, MOPs, and EOPs.
• Maintain shift records and ensure audit readiness.

Skills

Data Center Operations

Team Leadership

Technical Escalation

Shift Coordination

Operations Management

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Asset management software

Job description

The Data Center Operations Team Lead serves as the onsite working leader responsible for the daily execution, coordination, and quality of data center operations activities within a large-scale AI and accelerated computing environment. This role provides leadership and support to Data Center Technicians and Network Technicians, ensuring shift-level readiness, technical execution, and adherence to established procedures.

Reporting to the Data Center Operations Manager / Site Lead, the Team Lead acts as the primary point of daily coordination between technician-level staff and site leadership. The role is accountable for shift performance, technical escalation management, deployment support, and personnel development, while ensuring operational priorities set by the Site Lead are translated into effective daily execution.

This position requires a hands‑on technical leader capable of directing technician teams through deployment, break‑fix, and incident activities within a mission‑critical, customer‑facing environment.

How You Will Make an Impact

Team Leadership & Shift Operations

• Lead and coordinate daily activities of Data Center Technicians and provide operational coordination support to Network Technicians.
• Assign work, prioritize tasks, and balance customer requests, project activities, and maintenance requirements across the shift.
• Maintain shift schedules and ensure adequate staffing and coverage for 24x7 operational requirements.
• Conduct shift handoffs to ensure continuity of open work, incidents, and priorities.
• Establish and reinforce a culture of safety, accountability, and technical discipline within the team.

Technical Escalation & Support

• Serve as the primary technical escalation point for Data Center Technicians and Network Technicians on shift.
• Provide hands‑on technical guidance for advanced diagnostics, break‑fix procedures, and deployment activities when needed.
• Escalate unresolved technical issues, resource gaps, or operational risks to the Site Lead in a timely manner.
• Support technical decision‑making during hardware incidents, network issues, and deployment activities.

Customer & Site Lead Coordination

• Provide prompt, concise daily communication to the Site Lead on shift performance, open issues, and shortages that could impact service levels.
• Support execution of customer‑directed priorities communicated by the Site Lead.
• Participate in operational reviews, shift briefings, and readiness discussions as required.
• Represent the team's operational status accurately in reporting to site leadership.

Deployment, Commissioning & Expansion Support

• Coordinate technician and network technician support for new deployments, site expansions, and infrastructure turnover activities.
• Validate deployment quality against rack elevations, port maps, and customer specifications prior to sign‑off.
• Support commissioning activities, operational acceptance testing, and readiness reviews.
• Ensure staffing, tooling, and inventory are in place ahead of scheduled deployment work.

Asset & Inventory Management

• Oversee day‑to‑day inventory accuracy, chain‑of‑custody practices, and asset handling within the shift.
• Coordinate RMA workflows and ensure documentation and reconciliation are completed accurately.
• Monitor spare parts levels and flag replenishment needs to the Site Lead.
• Support monthly cycle counts, variance tracking, and root cause follow‑up.

Incident Response & Operational Support

• Lead shift‑level response to operational incidents, outages, and service disruptions.
• Coordinate technician and network technician activities during major incident response and restoration efforts.
• Ensure timely escalation and clear communication of critical events to the Site Lead.
• Support root cause analysis and corrective action follow‑through after incidents.

Team Development & Mentorship

• Coach, mentor, and support the technical development of Data Center Technicians and coordinate development needs with Network Technician leadership.
• Support onboarding, training, and qualification programs for new and existing personnel.
• Identify skill gaps and growth opportunities within the team and communicate these to the Site Lead.
• Promote adherence to technical standards, SOPs, MOPs, and EOPs.

Documentation & Quality Assurance

• Maintain accurate shift records covering diagnostics, repairs, deployments, and incident activity.
• Review technician and network technician documentation for completeness and accuracy.
• Support audit readiness and compliance with customer quality and documentation standards.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of procedures and work instructions.

Safety, Security & Compliance

• Ensure the team adheres to all site safety, security, and operational procedures.
• Champion Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) practices and safe work behaviors on shift.
• Ensure compliance with physical security requirements and customer access policies.
• Participate in audits, inspections, and compliance reviews as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of experience supporting data center operations, hardware deployment, or infrastructure support environments.
• 2+ years of experience in a lead, supervisory, or informal leadership capacity within a technical operations environment.
• Strong understanding of hardware diagnostics, deployment procedures, and technical escalation processes.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate technical teams and manage competing operational priorities.
• Experience working within 24x7 mission‑critical operational environments.
• Current valid driver's license
• Ability to pass Motor Vehicle Records check

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting hyperscale, AI, HPC, cloud, or enterprise data center environments.
• Experience coordinating across both compute/technician and network technician functions.
• Familiarity with liquid‑cooled computing environments and high‑density rack architectures.
• Working knowledge of structured cabling, fiber optics, and physical‑layer networking concepts.
• Experience with asset management, inventory control, and RMA processes.
• Vendor or data center certifications preferred (e.g., CDCT, BICSI, or equivalent).
• Experience supporting deployment, commissioning, or site expansion activities.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to safely lift, push, pull, and move items weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Walk, squat, and climb for extended periods of time.
• Ability to work in environments that may include areas reaching temperatures of 90+ degrees Fahrenheit at times.
• Travel required up to 25%.
• Valid REAL ID or other federally accepted identification for U.S. travel.
• Reliable transportation for moving between locations on campus.
• Ability to work overtime and/or weekends if necessary.
• Ability to use power and non‑power hand tools.Ability to work comfortably in a loud, noisy environment.
• Ability to wear appropriate PPE as required.

Work Environment

This position operates within a mission‑critical data center environment supporting advanced AI and accelerated computing infrastructure. The role requires close coordination with Data Center Technicians, Network Technicians, and the Site Lead to ensure consistent shift execution, technical escalation coverage, and operational readiness in a 24x7 environment.

This position may require access to hardware, software, technology, or technical data subject to U.S. export control laws, including the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and, where applicable, the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Any offer, assignment, or continued access to controlled items is contingent upon the company’s determination that the individual is legally authorized to access such items or that any required government authorization can be obtained.