Data Center Specialist

Renaissance Technologies LLC; Setauket (NY); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Renaissance Technologies LLC is seeking an experienced Data Center Engineer to lead design, installation, and maintenance of data center infrastructure on a 24/7 basis. You will analyze cooling, electrical distribution, and airflow, plan upgrades, and coordinate with vendors and technicians to ensure reliability.

The role requires deep hands-on experience, strong communication with executives, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a high-availability environment.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in high-availability or large colocation environments.
• Strong data center HVAC and redundancy knowledge.
• Experience with rack-level cooling and airflow management.
• Bachelor's degree in IT, CS, EE, or related field.
• Ability to communicate with senior executives and coordinate with remote teams.
• Experience with BMS/EPMS and critical power systems.
• Willingness to work non-traditional shifts in a 24/7 environment.

Responsibilities

• Conduct engineering analysis and research designs and methods of data center equipment and facilities.
• Ensure designs and installations meet requirements, including predicted cooling, structural, and operational concerns.
• Plan, execute, and document data center installations, upgrades, and maintenance projects.
• Install and document racks, structured cabling, servers, switches, and PDUs.
• Manage equipment inventory, spare parts, and coordinate logistics.
• Respond to facility-wide emergencies (power outages) and participate in a 24/7 on-call rotation.
• Liaise with and oversee external vendors for preventive maintenance on specialized infrastructure.
• Create and maintain detailed operational records and compliance documentation.

Skills

Cross-team collaboration

Problem solving

Data center operations

Scripting basics

Communication skills

Project leadership

Vendor management

Power/cooling knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in IT/CS/EE

Tools

BMS/EPMS

Python scripting

PowerShell scripting

UPS/PDUs knowledge

Job description

• conduct engineering analysis and research designs and methods of data center equipment and facilities
• ensure designs and installations meet requirements, including predicted cooling, structural, and operational concerns
• plan, execute, and document data center installations, upgrades, and maintenance projects
• install and document racks, structured cabling, servers, switches, and PDUs
• manage equipment inventory, spare parts, and coordinate logistics
• respond to facility-wide emergencies (power outages, cooling failures) and participate in a 24/7 on-call rotation
• liaise with and oversee external vendors for scheduled preventive maintenance on specialized infrastructure
• create and maintain detailed operational records and compliance documentation

Skills, Qualifications, and Experience

• 3+ years of hands-on experience in high-availability or large colocation environments
• comprehensive understanding of data center HVAC systems and redundancy protocols
• proven experience with rack-level cooling and airflow management
• visionary who optimizes for efficiencies and never stops seeking improvements
• clear communicator who enjoys cross-team collaboration, generates ideas, communicates recommendations to senior-level executives, and drives implementation alongside technicians
• proactive problem solver with a passion for learning and evolving alongside new technologies
• highly organized and able to manage multiple priorities under minimal supervision, including high-priority tickets and numerous vendor relationships
• experience monitoring Building Management Systems (BMS) and EPMS for tracking real-time power usage and environmental metrics, and critical power systems, including UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply), PDUs, and backup generators
• knowledge of scripting or automation (Python, Bash, or PowerShell) for hardware health monitoring preferred
• expertise in electrical distribution, including the ability to read one-line diagrams and circuit schedules
• strong verbal and written communication skills to effectively coordinate and align operations with remote engineering teams
• experience leading small-scale projects, such as row-level expansions or major hardware refreshes
• skilled in using specialized tools for liquid systems, with an understanding of fluid mechanics, including the impact of flow rate, pressure drops, and air entrapment on cooling performance
• demonstrated ability to analyze data to identify efficiency gaps and implement strategies for optimizing PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness)
• bachelor's degree in IT, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field
• proficient with hand tools, able to lift up to 30 lbs., and comfortable working on ladders or in confined spaces
• flexibility to work non-traditional shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays, within a 24/7/365 operational environment

The base salary for this position ranges from $150,000 to $190,000. In addition to base salary, total compensation includes a discretionary bonus, participation in an incentive compensation plan, and very generous benefits.