Entry Level Data Center Technician

Aerotek; Altoona (IA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Aerotek is seeking mechanically inclined entry-level Data Center Technicians to support build-out and installation of data center infrastructure in Altoona, Iowa. You will work from construction blueprints, use hand and power tools, and assemble server racks, cabling, and components.

This role includes traveling within the region as needed, comprehensive training, and a strong path into the data center industry.

Qualifications

• Experience working on construction sites or in general construction environments.
• Ability to follow and work from blueprints and construction prints to assemble trays, racks, and lay out cabling.
• Mechanical aptitude with hands-on experience in assembling components or equipment.
• Strong communication skills to coordinate with team members on site.
• Proven problem-solving skills for installation and assembly challenges.

Responsibilities

• Assemble and mount trays and server racks following blueprints and layout drawings.
• Pull and route fiber optic cables and other structured cabling per project specs.
• Install servers, switches, and related hardware into racks with proper cable management.
• Scan inventory, unpack materials, and verify equipment against project documentation.

Skills

Construction site experience

Blueprint reading

Mechanical aptitude

Team communication

Problem solving

Tools

Hand tools

Power tools

Job description

Job Title: Data Center Technician

Job Description

We are seeking mechanically inclined, entry-level technicians to support the build-out and installation of infrastructure in a data center located in Altoona, Iowa. In this role, you work from construction blueprints and use hand and power tools to assemble and mount trays and server racks, install servers and switches, and pull and route fiber optic and network cabling. You also handle inventory scanning, unpack materials, and prepare equipment for installation. Comprehensive training is provided, making this a strong opportunity to start a career in the data center industry.

Responsibilities

• Assemble and mount trays and server racks by accurately following construction blueprints and layout drawings.
• Pull and route fiber optic cable and other structured cabling from point A to point B in accordance with project specifications.
• Install servers, switches, and related hardware into racks, ensuring proper cable management and organization.
• Scan inventory, unpack boxes of materials, and verify that equipment and components match project documentation.
• Break down shipping materials and prepare components for staging and rack building on the assembly line.
• Work within an assembly line environment to build out server racks and prepare them for deployment in the data center.
• Follow project documents, including specifications, reporting requirements, and quality standards, to complete tasks correctly and on time.
• Apply problem-solving and critical thinking skills to resolve installation and assembly issues in high-pressure, fast-paced settings.
• Collaborate with team members on an active construction site, maintaining clear communication and supporting continuous process improvements.
• Adhere to all safety protocols and wear required personal protective equipment while working around large equipment and moving machinery.
• Maintain regular attendance and reliability to support project schedules and meet deadlines.
• Travel within the regional territory as needed to support data center projects, with lodging provided when traveling from another state.

Essential Skills

• Experience working on construction sites or in general construction environments.
• Mechanical aptitude with approximately 6 months to 1 year of hands-on experience, such as working on vehicles, assembling computers, wiring electrical components, or building models.
• Ability to follow and work from blueprints and construction prints to assemble trays, racks, and lay out cabling.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to see how components fit together, understanding the end result and the steps required to get from point A to point B.
• Capability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment and communicate clearly with coworkers.
• Proven problem-solving skills and critical thinking abilities, including the capacity to work in high-pressure environments.
• Ability to read, write, and give clear oral presentations related to project tasks and documentation.
• Skill level or ability to learn to interpret blueprints and other project documents, including specifications, reporting, and quality requirements.
• Ability to see and distinguish different colors, read small print, and hear and recognize audible signals such as dial tones.
• Willingness and ability to travel within branch or regional territory as needed.
• Commitment to regular attendance and reliability in a full-time schedule.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in structured cabling (Cat5, Cat6, fiber optic cable) or construction from any trade, including general construction, carpentry, landscaping, utility construction, or production work.
• General knowledge of working safely and efficiently on active construction sites.
• Experience with hand tools and basic power tools used in construction, general labor, or production environments.
• Self-motivated, positive, and professional approach, with a desire to help create, develop, and implement project process improvements.
• Proven ability to read and interpret blueprints and project documents, including specifications and quality requirements.
• Capability to work in an assembly-line production setting focused on building and configuring server racks.
• Willingness to travel from another state for projects, with lodging provided and per diem available during assignments.

Why Work Here?

This role offers a genuine foot-in-the-door opportunity into the rapidly growing data center industry, with clear pathways for advancement and long-term career development. You receive structured training, hands-on experience with cutting-edge infrastructure, and support from a team focused on continuous improvement and professional growth. The organization emphasizes a positive, safety-conscious culture, values reliability and teamwork, and provides opportunities to travel and work on large-scale, high-impact projects. A video overview is available to showcase typical data center sites, the nature of the work, and potential growth trajectories within the company.

Work Environment

This is a fully on-site position based in Altoona, Iowa, working inside a large data center facility on an active construction site. The environment is an assembly line atmosphere dedicated to the build-out of server racks and installation of cabling and equipment. You work five 10-hour shifts from Monday through Friday, typically 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with occasional Saturdays if needed to maintain project schedules, resulting in approximately 50 hours per week plus potential overtime. The site is expansive, with significant moving equipment and machinery, requiring strict adherence to safety protocols. Full personal protective equipment must be worn at all times, including hard hat, safety glasses, gloves, and steel-toed boots; because you are on your feet for most of the day, investing in comfortable boots is strongly recommended. Work involves regular use of hand tools and exposure to typical construction and data center conditions, with a focus on safe, efficient, and high-quality assembly and installation.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Altoona, IA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $20.00 - $28.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your jobclassification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may besubject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefitsavailable for this temporary role may include the following:

Medical, dental & visionCritical Illness, Accident, and Hospital401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions availableLife Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)Short and long-term disabilityHealth Spending Account (HSA)Transportation benefitsEmployee Assistance ProgramTime Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Altoona, IA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 26, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Altoona,IA.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.