Data Center Support Engineer

Cognizant; Milpitas (CA); On-site; USD 51,000 - 59,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance

Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off

401(k) plan and contributions

Long-term/Short-term Disability

Paid Parental Leave

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Job summary

Cognizant is seeking a Data Center Support Engineer to provide on-site, hands-on support for data center and lab environments in Milpitas, CA. You will handle hardware installation, troubleshooting, maintenance, and operational tasks while collaborating with the Cloud Infrastructure and Security team.

You will work five days a week on-site, ensuring safety, labeling, asset tracking, and adherence to SOPs. A strong focus on continuous improvement and incident response is expected.

Qualifications

• Experience with moving and handling lab/data center equipment.
• Safe operation of forklifts and other lifting equipment.
• Strong cable management and labeling skills.
• Hands-on troubleshooting of hardware and networking equipment.
• Installation/configuration/upgrade of servers, routers, and switches.
• VMware ESXi installation/upgrade experience.
• Networking of managed Power Distribution Units (mPDUs).
• Rack, stack, and PDU installation experience.

Responsibilities

• Support ISO 9001 quality management activities and ensure processes are followed.
• Conduct RCA, CAPA, and risk assessment with cross-functional teams.
• Track quality metrics and prepare reports for continuous improvement.
• Perform equipment moves, installs, and setup in labs and data centers.
• Troubleshoot and resolve hardware and network issues (break/fix).
• Support decommissioning, disposal, and maintenance of equipment.
• Provide basic testbed and lab environment support.

Skills

Forklift operation

Cable management

Hardware troubleshooting

Rack moves

VMware ESXi

Server/networking setup

Lab equipment handling

Tools

VMware ESXi

mPDUs

Job description

About the role

As a Data Center Support Engineer, you will make an impact by providing on-site, hands-on support for data center and lab environments, including hardware installation, troubleshooting, maintenance, and operational tasks. You will help ensure a safe, organized, and efficient data center environment while supporting the broader engineering team worldwide. You will be a valued member of the Cloud Infrastructure and Security team and work collaboratively with the Associate Director.

In this role, you will

• Support quality management and compliance activities in alignment with ISO 9001 and other applicable ISO standards, ensuring adherence to established processes, policies, and procedures.
• Conduct Root Cause Analysis (RCA), implement Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA), and support risk assessment and mitigation initiatives in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
• Track and analyze quality metrics, maintain accurate operational data, identify trends, and prepare reports to drive continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Perform equipment moves, installations, and setup within and across lab and data center environments
• Troubleshoot and resolve hardware and network issues (break/fix tasks)
• Support decommissioning, disposal, and maintenance of data center equipment
• Install, configure,and upgrade servers,routers, switches, and operating systems (Windows, Linux, IOS)
• Deploy and configure VMware ESXi and manage Power Distribution Units (mPDUs)
• Perform network troubleshooting across Layers 1-3
• Maintain accurate asset records and labeling for equipment, components, and devices
• Ensure lab cleanliness,safety,and compliance with site policies and SOPs
• Provide basic testbed and lab environment support
• Respond to emergency support requests as required
• Follow SOPs, policies, and procedures, contributing to process improvement initiatives

Work model

At Cognizant, we strive to provide flexibility wherever possible, and we are here to support a healthy work-life balance though our various wellbeing programs. Based on this role’s business requirements, this is an onsite position requiring 5 days a week in a client or Cognizant office in Milpitas, California.

The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting. This may change based on the project you’re engaged in, as well as business and client requirements. Rest assured; we will always be clear about role expectations.

What you need to have to be considered

• Experience with intra- and inter-lab equipment and rack moves
• Ability to safely operate manual forklifts and other lifting equipment
• Strong cable management skills, including routing, organizing, labeling, and cleaning up network cables
• Hands-on troubleshooting and break-fix experience with hardware and networking equipment
• Installation, configuration, and upgrade of servers, routers, switches, and operating systems
• VMware ESXi installation and upgrade experience
• Experience replicating or building configurations based on customer requirements
• Installation and networking of managed Power Distribution Units (mPDUs)
• Rack, stack, and PDU installation experience

These will help you stand out

• Experience with accurate labeling and inventory maintenance within a data center environment
• trong adherence to SOPs, policies, and procedures with contributions toward continuous improvement

Salary and Other Compensation

Applications will be accepted until November 4, 2026.
The annual salary for this position is between $50,500 - $59,000 depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

This position is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant’s applicable plans.

Benefits

• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
• Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off
• 401(k) plan and contributions
• Long-term/Short-term Disability
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Disclaimer

The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.