Datacenter Server Engineer

Sproutup; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Sprout is hiring a Datacenter Server Engineer to build, configure, troubleshoot, and repair servers in datacenter and ITAD environments. The contract role demands hands-on hardware expertise and the ability to assemble systems from spare parts, validating functionality before deployment.

You will work independently, travel to customer datacenters, and uphold safety, quality, and security standards while documenting diagnostics and resolutions.

Qualifications

• Hands-on server hardware experience across major OEM platforms (Dell/HP/Supermicro/Lenovo).
• Ability to assemble, configure, and troubleshoot servers from spare parts.
• Knowledge of BIOS/UEFI, RAID, firmware, and OS installation.
• Experience with data erasure tooling (Blancco or similar) is a plus.
• Strong documentation, organization, and internal record-keeping.
• Able to work independently and travel to customer sites.

Responsibilities

• Build fully functional servers from spare parts and ensure compatibility.
• Assemble, rack, cable, and configure server hardware per specs.
• Perform secure data erasure and processing following standards.
• Document diagnostic steps, root causes, and resolutions.
• Work unsupervised and manage workload with high quality.

Skills

Server hardware expertise across major

Server build from spare parts

Break/fix troubleshooting

BIOS/UEFI/RAID/firmware/OS

Documentation and record-keeping

Independent unsupervised work

Lift and handle server hardware

On-site datacenter/workshop experience

Travel to customer datacenters

Education

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in related field, or equivalent hands-on experience

Tools

Blancco data erasure software

Job description

Overview

Sprout is a global IT hardware retirement provider for hyperscaler and enterprise clients. We leverage a nationwide footprint (and international partner network) combined with proprietary software to enable efficient end-to-end IT asset disposition with a focus on data-bearing devices from the client to the cloud. The company is headquartered in Charlotte, NC with additional operations near Sacramento, Dallas, and Boston. Sprout provides software and services to clients in the form of our IT Asset Disposition, Certified Destruction, and Responsible Recycling solutions.

Since our founding as an electronic waste startup from a Duke University dorm room in 2014, we have been expanding at an average rate of >50% each year. By adhering to our 3 values (One Sprout, Deliver Excellence, and Integrity Matters), we are proud of our culture to move at #SproutSpeed seeking to become the emerging leader in our industry.

The Datacenter Server Engineer is a hands‑on technical role responsible for building, configuring, troubleshooting, and repairing servers within datacenter and ITAD environments. This position requires deep server hardware expertise, including the ability to build fully functional systems from spare parts, diagnose and resolve break/fix issues, and deliver work to a high standard with minimal supervision. The Datacenter Server Engineer plays a critical role in Sprout' s datacenter services, ensuring hardware is restored, validated, and processed accurately and efficiently.

This is a contract opportunity.

Responsibilities

Server Build & Configuration

• Build fully functional servers using spare and salvaged parts, sourcing and matching compatible components
• Assemble, rack, cable, and configure server hardware to defined specifications
• Perform secure erasure of hard disks to prepare for re-deployment
• Install and configure operating systems, firmware, BIOS/UEFI settings, and drivers as required
• Validate and stress-test completed builds to confirm full functionality before deployment or processing

Break/Fix & Troubleshooting

• Understand and execute break/fix steps to diagnose and resolve server hardware and firmware faults
• Systematically troubleshoot component‑level failures across CPUs, memory, storage, power, and networking
• Identify, replace, and re‑test failed components to return systems to working order
• Document diagnostic steps, root causes, and resolutions for each unit

Data Destruction & ITAD Processing

• Perform secure data erasure and destruction in line with Sprout standards and customer requirements
• Maintain accurate asset records and chain‑of‑custody throughout the build and processing workflow

Independent Execution & Quality

• Work unsupervised and manage own workload while consistently delivering to a high standard
• Take ownership of assigned units from intake through validated completion
• Uphold safety, quality, and security protocols in all datacenter and workshop activities

Qualifications

• Strong hands‑on server hardware knowledge across major OEM platforms (e.g., Dell, HP, Supermicro, Lenovo)
• Ability to build servers from spare parts and identify compatible components
• Solid understanding of break/fix methodology and component‑level troubleshooting
• Familiarity with BIOS/UEFI, RAID, firmware, and OS installation
• Knowledge of Blancco or other data erasure software is a plus
• Ability to work independently and unsupervised to a consistently high standard
• Strong attention to detail, documentation, and organizational skills
• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in a related field, or equivalent hands‑on experience
• Several years of datacenter and server build experience
• Demonstrated experience with server break/fix, troubleshooting, and hardware repair
• Relevant certifications (e.g., CompTIA Server+, A+, or OEM hardware certifications) preferred
• Ability to lift and handle server hardware and perform the physical demands of datacenter work
• On‑site datacenter, warehouse, and workshop environments
• Will include travel to customer datacenter locations
• Physical work involving lifting, racking, and handling of server hardware

The Company is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, sex, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, gender, ethnicity, religion, national origin, ancestry, nationality, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, or on any other basis prohibited by law (except where an attribute is a bona fide occupational qualification).