Data Center Operations Technician

Apolis; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

APOLIS in Alexandria, VA is hiring an experienced data center technician to rack, stack, cable, and deploy servers, storage, and networking gear on site. The role requires an active TS/SCI clearance and a Security+ certification, with the ability to obtain/maintain clearance.

You will collaborate with engineering, network, and facilities teams, perform hardware validation and lifecycle activities, ensure security/compliance, and maintain uptime through precise cabling, documentation, and

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on data center hardware deployment and maintenance.
• Experience installing, configuring, maintaining, and decommissioning bare-metal servers, storage, and network devices.
• Strong knowledge of data center cabling standards, rack layouts, and cable management.
• Familiarity with TCP/IP networking, VLANs, DNS, DHCP, routing, and switch connectivity.
• Ability to perform hardware validation, burn-in testing, and deployment verification; root cause analysis.
• Security+ certification is required.
• Must have/ able to obtain TS/SCI clearance

Responsibilities

• Rack, stack, cable, and deploy servers, storage arrays, network switches, and supporting infrastructure in alignment with documented standards.
• Collaborate with team members to diagnose and resolve hardware, cabling, and connectivity issues, escalating complex problems as needed while maintaining ownership through resolution.
• Contribute to a highly collaborative and safety-focused data center environment with clear communication, well-documented procedures, and shared accountability for uptime and performance.
• Execute hardware lifecycle activities—including refreshes, upgrades, migrations, and decommissioning—ensuring proper sanitization, disposal, and documentation so that infrastructure remains secure, compliant, and optimized for the mission.
• Apply technical expertise with bare-metal systems, TCP/IP networking, VLANs, DNS, DHCP, rack layout best practices, and data center cabling standards to support deployment efficiency, incident response, and continuous improvement of infrastructure operations.

Skills

Data center hardware

Rack and stack

TCP/IP networking

Cable management

Troubleshooting

Security+ certification

Security clearance TS/SCI

Job description

Location- Onsite 5 days a week in Alexandria, VA

Clearance- Must be able to obtain, maintain/ Hold an Active Top Secret clearance

1 Step Video interview and then Offer

Must haves from the manager:

• Maintain an active Security+ certification
• Must have/ able to obtain TS/SCI clearance (Can be upgraded from basis TS clearance)
• Must have hands on experience with racking and stacking in a Data Center environment.
• Proven experience installing, configuring, maintaining, and decommissioning bare-metal servers, storage systems, and network devices.
• Strong understanding of data center cabling standards, rack layout best practices, and cable management.
• Familiarity with TCP/IP networking, VLANs, DNS, DHCP, routing fundamentals, and switch connectivity.
• Experience performing hardware validation, burn-in testing, and deployment verification. - Ability to perform root cause analysis for hardware failures and operational incidents, and replace field-replaceable units (drives, memory, CPUs, power supplies, NICs, etc.).

Job Description:

• Work closely with engineering, network, systems, facilities, and project management teams to rack, stack, cable, and deploy servers, storage arrays, network switches, and supporting infrastructure in alignment with documented standards.
• Collaborate with team members to diagnose and resolve hardware, cabling, and connectivity issues, escalating complex problems as needed while maintaining ownership through resolution.
• Contribute to a highly collaborative and safety-focused data center environment with clear communication, well-documented procedures, and shared accountability for uptime and performance.
• Execute hardware lifecycle activities—including refreshes, upgrades, migrations, and decommissioning—ensuring proper sanitization, disposal, and documentation so that infrastructure remains secure, compliant, and optimized for the mission.
• Apply technical expertise with bare-metal systems, TCP/IP networking, VLANs, DNS, DHCP, rack layout best practices, and data center cabling standards to support deployment efficiency, incident response, and continuous improvement of infrastructure operations.

Required Experience:

• 5+ years

Required Technical Skills:

• Proven experience installing, configuring, maintaining, and decommissioning bare-metal servers, storage systems, and network devices.
• Strong understanding of data center cabling standards, rack layout best practices, and cable management.
• Familiarity with TCP/IP networking, VLANs, DNS, DHCP, routing fundamentals, and switch connectivity.
• Experience performing hardware validation, burn-in testing, and deployment verification. - Ability to perform root cause analysis for hardware failures and operational incidents, and replace field-replaceable units (drives, memory, CPUs, power supplies, NICs, etc.).

Security Clearance Level:

• TS/SCI (must be eligible to maintain or obtain)

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills in a production data center environment.
• Clear, professional verbal and written communication with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to identify risks, remove roadblocks, and recommend solutions as a trusted advisor for infrastructure-related initiatives.
• Proven ability to follow and improve standard operating procedures (SOPs), runbooks, and change management processes.
• Physical ability to lift and move equipment up to 50 lbs; work in raised floor data center environments; install equipment in racks and perform cable management; stand, bend, climb ladders, and work in confined spaces for extended periods.
• Security+ certification (required)

Preferred Skills:

• CDCMP (Certified Data Center Management Professional) certification
• CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) certification
• ITIL certification
• Experiience supporting incident responses and maintenance activities to minimize service disruption.
• Experience with capacity planning, hardware audits, and infrastructure optimization initiatives.

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