Lab Engineer

Compunnel, Inc.; Houston, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Compunnel, Inc. is seeking a Lab Engineer to support data center and laboratory operations, including hardware installation, cabling, power distribution, rack mounting, OS deployment, virtualization, and networking.

You will manage lab logistics, inventory, and safety compliance while supporting disaster recovery and network upgrades. The role requires hands-on experience with Windows, Linux (Ubuntu/CentOS), and virtual machine hosts, and a strong commitment to security best practices.

Qualifications

• Experience in data center operations and hands-on cabling, power, and rack mounting.
• Experience troubleshooting systems, hardware, and networking issues.
• Experience installing Windows, Ubuntu, and CentOS OS deployments.
• Experience with ISO, VHD, WDS, SCCM, PXE, and USB deployment.
• Experience setting up VM host clusters and maintaining lab equipment.
• Experience with VPNs, firewalls, routers, switches, DNS, and DHCP.
• Familiarity with Cisco/Arista/Dell networking gear and firmware updates.
• Ability to follow security and networking best practices.

Responsibilities

• Perform data center operations including cabling, power distribution, rack mounting, and related infrastructure activities.
• Troubleshoot and diagnose systems, hardware, networking, and technical issues.
• Implement and support disaster recovery procedures.
• Maintain current knowledge of security and networking best practices.
• Install and configure Windows, Ubuntu, and CentOS OS using ISO, VHD, WDS, SCCM, PXE.
• Set up and maintain small VM host clusters supporting 100 VMs.
• Manage laboratory operations and maintain lab safety standards.
• Manage test hardware, racks, and equipment.
• Coordinate with Logistics for packing and shipping equipment.
• Support lab shipping, receiving, logistics, and inventory management.
• Design and implement network solutions and improve existing networks.
• Procure network equipment and coordinate installation activities.
• Install, maintain, and support VPNs, firewalls, routers, proxies, switches, DNS, DHCP.
• Configure network devices for efficiency and security.
• Monitor network performance and troubleshoot faults.
• Coordinate and execute scheduled infrastructure upgrades.
• Update firmware on Cisco/Arista/Dell devices.

Skills

Data center operations

Cabling & power distribution

Rack mounting

Windows OS deployment

Ubuntu/CentOS deployment

Virtual machine clusters

Networking fundamentals

Security best practices

Lab logistics & inventory

Troubleshooting hardware

Firewalls, VPNs, DNS/DHCP

SCCM/PXE/WDS deployment

Firmware updates

Tools

SCCM

PXE server

WDS

DNS/DHCP management

Cisco gear

Arista gear

Dell hardware

Job description

The Lab Engineer will support data center and laboratory operations, including hardware installation, cabling, power distribution, rack mounting, operating system deployment, virtualization, networking, equipment maintenance, inventory management, and troubleshooting. The role will also support disaster recovery, network infrastructure, lab logistics, and adherence to security and safety best practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform data center operations including cabling, power distribution, rack mounting, and related infrastructure activities.
• Troubleshoot and diagnose systems, hardware, networking, and technical issues.
• Implement and support disaster recovery procedures.
• Maintain current knowledge of security and networking best practices to support secure and reliable systems.
• Install and configure Windows, Ubuntu, and CentOS operating systems using ISO, VHD, WDS, SCCM, PXE servers, and USB-based deployment methods.
• Set up and maintain small clusters of virtual machine hosts supporting up to 100 virtual machines.
• Manage laboratory operations and maintain the lab area in accordance with applicable safety standards.
• Manage and maintain test hardware, test racks, and test equipment.
• Coordinate with Logistics for packing and shipping equipment to manufacturers.
• Support lab shipping, receiving, logistics, and inventory management of equipment and materials.
• Design and implement new network solutions and improve the efficiency of existing networks.
• Procure network equipment and coordinate network installation activities.
• Install, maintain, and support network equipment including VPNs, firewalls, routers, proxy servers, switches, WAN accelerators, SCCM/PXE, DNS, and DHCP.
• Configure firewalls, routers, and switches to maximize network efficiency and security.
• Monitor and troubleshoot network performance to maintain reliable operations.
• Coordinate and execute scheduled network and infrastructure upgrades.
• Investigate and resolve network faults and connectivity issues.
• Update network equipment, including Cisco, Arista, and Dell devices, to current firmware releases.

Required Qualifications

• Experience in data center operations.
• Hands-on experience with cabling, power distribution, rack mounting, and other data center operations.
• Experience troubleshooting and diagnosing systems and technical issues.
• Experience installing and configuring Windows, Ubuntu, and CentOS operating systems.
• Experience with ISO, VHD, WDS, SCCM, PXE server, and USB-based operating system deployment.
• Experience setting up and maintaining virtual machine host clusters.
• Experience managing test hardware, racks, and laboratory equipment.
• Experience with network infrastructure, including VPNs, firewalls, routers, proxy servers, switches, WAN accelerators, DNS, and DHCP.
• Experience configuring and troubleshooting firewalls, routers, and switches.
• Experience monitoring network performance and investigating network faults.
• Experience with network equipment from vendors such as Cisco, Arista, and Dell.
• Ability to maintain and troubleshoot infrastructure while following security and networking best practices.
• Ability to support shipping, receiving, logistics, and equipment inventory activities.
• Ability to work in accordance with laboratory and workplace safety standards.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with disaster recovery procedures.
• Experience designing and implementing network solutions.
• Experience managing network equipment procurement and installation.
• Experience coordinating scheduled infrastructure upgrades and firmware updates.