Immediate Need DC Infrastructure Technician III Lead

Socket.dev; Hillsboro (OR); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

Dental insurance

Health insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Socket.dev is seeking a senior DC Infrastructure Technician III / Lead to own planning, execution, and delivery of complex data center infrastructure projects. You will provide technical direction, lead teams of technicians and vendors, and drive safety, quality, and process improvements across enterprise, hyperscale, and mission‑critical environments.

The role requires travel up to 80%, strong leadership, and proven experience in high-density cabling, PDUs, and network equipment deployments,

Qualifications

• 4–6+ years in data center, telecom, or critical IT infrastructure environments.
• Experience leading technical teams on large infrastructure projects.
• Ability to travel up to 80% and work in fast-paced environments.
• Strong knowledge of cabling, power distribution, and network hardware deployment.
• Advanced troubleshooting and root-cause analysis capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end technical execution of large-scale infrastructure deployments, migrations, and retrofits.
• Develop and maintain detailed execution plans, resource allocation, and sequencing for complex projects.
• Direct and coordinate teams of Technicians I/II, subcontractors, and vendors to meet milestones.
• Identify, assess, and communicate risks, dependencies, and mitigations to project managers.
• Serve as the senior technical escalation point for troubleshooting across multiple projects.
• Lead decommissioning, asset management, and compliance efforts as needed.
• Act as primary technical contact for customers during project execution and reporting.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Troubleshooting

Communication

Data center infrastructure

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a technical field

Associate degree or equivalent training

Tools

DCIM tools

Ticketing systems

Project management platforms

Job description

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Position Summary

The DC Infrastructure Technician III / Lead is a senior technical leader responsible for owning the successful planning, execution, and delivery of complex data center infrastructure projects. This role provides technical direction and hands‑on leadership to teams of technicians, ensures the highest standards of quality and safety, and serves as the primary escalation point for technical issues. Operating with a high degree of autonomy, the Technician III / Lead drives process improvements, mitigates project risks, and delivers exceptional results for enterprise, hyperscale, and mission‑critical environments.

Key Responsibilities

Project Leadership & Technical Direction

• Lead end-to-end technical execution of large‑scale infrastructure deployments, migrations, and retrofits
• Develop and maintain detailed execution plans, resource allocation, and sequencing for complex projects
• Direct and coordinate teams of Technicians I/II, subcontractors, and vendors to meet project milestones
• Identify, assess, and proactively communicate technical risks, dependencies, and mitigation strategies to project managers and stakeholders
• Serve as the senior technical escalation point for troubleshooting and issue resolution across multiple projects

Advanced Infrastructure Deployment

• Oversee and validate complex installations including high‑density cabinet deployments, structured cabling systems (copper/fiber), overhead and underfloor pathways, PDUs, and network equipment
• Interpret and enforce compliance with detailed design packages, rack elevations, cable schedules, and scope documents
• Establish and enforce installation quality standards, labeling, and documentation requirements
• Lead high‑risk activities such as cutovers, live migrations, and power/cooling infrastructure integrations

Advanced Troubleshooting & Root Cause Analysis

• Perform expert‑level troubleshooting and root cause analysis on server hardware, network connectivity, fiber/copper infrastructure, and power systems
• Lead resolution of complex, intermittent, or systemic issues that impact operations
• Develop and implement preventive maintenance programs and reliability improvements
• Support capacity planning and infrastructure optimization initiatives

Team Development & Mentorship

• Mentor and develop Technician I and II team members through hands‑on coaching, knowledge sharing, and skill assessments
• Conduct technical training sessions and contribute to the creation of standard work instructions and best practices
• Provide performance feedback and support career development of junior technicians
• Foster a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement

Decommissioning, Asset Management & Compliance

• Lead large‑scale decommissioning projects with strict focus on data sanitization, asset tracking, and regulatory compliance
• Oversee inventory reconciliation, audit readiness, and accurate documentation across projects
• Ensure adherence to all company, customer, and industry standards (TIA‑942, BICSI, NFPA 70E, etc.)

Customer Engagement & Process Improvement

• Act as the primary technical point of contact for customers during project execution and issue resolution
• Collaborate with project managers on scope definition, change management, and customer reporting
• Identify and champion process, tooling, and efficiency improvements across the organization
• Contribute to the development and refinement of company standards and playbooks

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 4–6+ years of progressive experience in data center, telecom, or critical IT infrastructure environments
• US Passport
• Available to travel up to 80%
• Demonstrated success leading technical teams and complex infrastructure projects in the field
• Expert‑level knowledge of data center infrastructure, structured cabling, power distribution, and network hardware deployment
• Proven advanced troubleshooting and root cause analysis capabilities
• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to interpret complex technical documentation, drawings, and project scopes
• Experience working independently with minimal supervision in fast‑paced, high‑pressure environments

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in a technical field or equivalent military/technical training
• Certifications such as BICSI RCDD, Cisco CCNA/CCNP, CompTIA Network+/Server+, or equivalent
• Experience in hyperscale data center environments (e.g., cloud provider or large colo facilities)
• Proficiency with fiber optic testing/certification (OTDR, OLTS), power quality analysis, and cable certification tools
• Working knowledge of DCIM tools, ticketing systems, and project management platforms
• OSHA 30, NFPA 70E, and other relevant safety certifications

Physical Requirements

• Ability to regularly lift 50–80 lbs and perform physical tasks including bending, kneeling, climbing ladders, and working in confined spaces
• Comfort working around live electrical systems and ESD‑sensitive equipment
• Ability to work extended hours, nights, weekends, and on‑call as required during critical project phases

Core Competencies

• Strong technical leadership and decision-making
• Advanced problem-solving and analytical thinking
• Team development and mentorship
• Risk management and proactive communication
• Customer focus and relationship building
• Commitment to safety, quality, and operational excellence

Behavioral Expectations

• Demonstrates ownership and accountability for project outcomes
• Leads by example with high personal and professional standards
• Builds trust and credibility with customers and team members
• Proactively identifies opportunities for improvement
• Thrives in dynamic, ambiguous environments while maintaining composure under pressure

Flexible work from home options available.