Data Center Technician

Lightning-Ai; Puyallup (WA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

401(k) matching

Unlimited PTO

Hybrid work

Sabbatical after 4 years

Equity / RSUs

Job summary

Lightning AI is seeking a Data Center Technician to join our DC Ops team in Puyallup, WA. This full-time, on-site role supports day-to-day hardware, power, and network operations in our HPC data center.

You will monitor equipment, assist with installation, cabling, and troubleshooting to ensure high availability and smooth deployments.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of data center experience with critical infrastructure systems.
• Experience with power distribution, airflow management, and environmental monitoring.
• Knowledge of DCIM software and structured cabling.

Responsibilities

• Help maintain hardware in the data center, including configuration, maintenance, monitoring, and troubleshooting.
• Diagnose and resolve system, compute, and network issues to restore functionality.
• Rack, label, cabling, and configure new server, storage, and network infrastructure.
• Proactively monitor onsite hardware and work with HW Support to resolve tickets.
• Create installation standards and documentation for consistency across data centers.

Skills

Data center experience

Networking basics

Attention to detail

Problem solving

On-call readiness

Prioritization

Strong communication

HPC experience

Dell/NVIDIA equipment experience

Tools

DCIM software

Structured cabling

Cable management

Dell hardware

NVIDIA hardware

Job description

Lightning AI is the company behind PyTorch Lightning. Founded in 2019, we build an end-to-end platform for developing, training, and deploying AI systems—designed to take ideas from research to production with less friction.

Through our merger with Voltage Park, a neocloud and AI Factory, Lightning AI combines developer-first software with cost-efficient, large-scale compute. Teams get the tools they need for experimentation, training, and production inference, with security, observability, and control built in.

We serve solo researchers, startups, and large enterprises. Lightning AI operates globally with offices in New York City, San Francisco, Seattle, and London, and is backed by Coatue, Index Ventures, Bain Capital Ventures, and Firstminute.

The Way We Work

The people who thrive here are builders who move fast, communicate openly, take ownership, and continuously improve themselves, their teams, and our company. Here’s what that looks like in practice:

• Move with Urgency: We move quickly, make thoughtful decisions, and keep momentum. We value action over perfection and learn by shipping.
• Take Ownership: We own outcomes, not just our individual work. We make decisions that move the company forward and follow through.
• Communicate Openly: We communicate directly, seek to understand, and create clarity for others. Honest conversations help us move faster together.
• Build Great Teams: We lead by example, empower others, and create healthy teams where people can do their best work.
• Raise the Bar: We’re always improving ourselves. We learn from feedback, consistently challenge ourselves to grow, and focus on the work that matters most.
• Think Long-Term: We design for what’s next. We create scalable systems, simplify complexity, and use AI and automation to amplify our impact.

What We're Looking For

Lightning AI is looking for Data Center Technicians to join our DC Ops team in our Puyallup, WA HPC Data Center. In this role, you'll be monitoring some of the world’s most advanced equipment and systems as you support day-to-day hardware, power, and network operations.

This is a full-time role, on-site in Puyallup, Washington. We are not able to provide sponsorship for this position.

What You'll Do

• Help maintain hardware in the data center, including tasks such as configuration, maintenance, monitoring, and troubleshooting assistance
• Help diagnose and resolve system/compute/network issues to restore functionality
• Ensure new server, storage and network infrastructure is properly racked, labeled, cabled, and configured
• Troubleshoot server hardware and software issues
• Become a subject matter expert on all the physical technical aspects of the data center build, from power deployment to containment solution to cabling infrastructure
• Proactively monitor onsite hardware to get ahead of any failures
• Work closely with HW Support team to ensure data center infrastructure-related support tickets are resolved
• Work with RMA team to ensure faulty parts are returned and replacements are ordered
• Create installation standards and documentation for placement, labeling, and cabling to drive consistency and discoverability across all data centers

What You Will Need

Required Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in data centers and technically proficient about critical infrastructure systems supporting data centers, such as power distribution, air flow management, environmental monitoring, capacity planning, DCIM software, structured cabling, and cable management
• Experience setting up networking appliances (Ethernet and InfiniBand)
• Attention to detail: precision in debugging work (such as cabling, patching, or configuring equipment), documenting fixes and changes
• Resourceful Problem-solver: doesn't need to be explicitly told to solve an issue, can figure out solutions under constraints
• Ability to work in an environment that operates 24/7 with an ability to participate in on-call rotation and provide after-hours support as needed
• Must be able to prioritize tasks and react quickly to issues
• Strong analytical and communication skills: collaborate closely with our network engineers, SREs, on-site remote hands, and operations team to resolve issues and ensure smooth deployments

Ideal Experience

• Experience in HPC environments
• Experience working with Dell or Nvidia equipment

Compensation

We are committed to offering competitive compensation that reflects the value each team member brings to our mission. Final offers are based on factors such as experience, skills, geographic location, and role expectations. In addition to base salary, our total rewards package for eligible roles includes a discretionary bonus, a meaningful equity component, and comprehensive benefits.

The anticipated annual base salary range for this role is:

$80,000 - $90,000 USD

Benefits and Perks

We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support our employees' health, well-being, and long-term success:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and eligible dependents.
• Meaningful Equity: RSUs that give employees a stake in the company's long-term success.
• Retirement Savings: 401(k) matching (U.S.) and pension contributions (U.K.).
• Flexible Time Off: Unlimited PTO, company holidays, and floating holidays to support work-life balance.
• Company-Wide Winter Break: Two weeks of company closure each winter to disconnect and recharge.
• Paid Parental & Family Leave: Paid leave to support you and your family through life's important moments.
• Professional Development: Annual learning and development allowance to support your professional growth.
• Wellness Benefits: Wellness and work-from-home stipends to support your physical and mental well-being.
• Sabbatical Program: Four weeks of paid sabbatical leave after four years of service.
• Flexible Work: Flexible schedules and a hybrid work model for our office-based teams.
• In-Office Meals: Complimentary meals at our office hubs.

Benefits may vary by location, team, and role.

At Lightning AI, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We believe that diverse teams drive innovation and create better products. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We are dedicated to building a culture where everyone can thrive and contribute to their fullest potential.