Senior Data Center Operations Engineer

Milestone Technologies, Inc.; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Milestone Technologies, Inc. is seeking a Senior Data Center Operations Engineer to lead hands-on deployment and ongoing operation of enterprise-scale data center infrastructure. The role emphasizes hardware diagnosis, Linux system support, and adherence to SOPs and SLAs.

You will work across deployment and steady-state phases, serving as a primary escalation point while collaborating with engineering, network, and storage teams to ensure high availability and performance in a 24x7 environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in data center operations or similar infrastructure environments.
• Hands-on experience with server hardware troubleshooting and repair.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience working with Linux operating systems in production environments.
• Experience supporting enterprise server platforms and infrastructure environments.

Responsibilities

• Diagnose and repair complex hardware failures across server platforms; minimize downtime and meet SLAs.
• Utilize Linux command-line tools for diagnostics and troubleshooting in production.
• Support hardware installation, cabling, and infrastructure validation.
• Document repairs, changes, and configurations in ITSM/DCIM systems and maintain inventory accuracy.
• Act as escalation point for infrastructure issues and participate in on-call rotations.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve issues and share knowledge.

Skills

Server hardware

Linux systems

Networking fundamentals

ITSM tools

On-call readiness

English communication

Tools

ServiceNow

Jira

Job description

Senior Data Center Operations Engineer

Job Overview

The Senior Data Center Operations Engineer plays a critical, hands‑on role in supporting the build‑out and long‑term operation of a high‑performance, enterprise‑scale data center environment supporting advanced compute and large‑scale infrastructure deployments.

This position is designed for an experienced engineer with deep expertise in server hardware, Linux systems, and data center operations, operating within environments that demand high availability, precision, and performance. You will contribute during the initial deployment phase, supporting infrastructure bring‑up, validation, and hardware readiness. As the environment transitions into steady‑state operations, you will take ownership of ongoing reliability, advanced troubleshooting, and continuous improvement initiatives.

This role requires a strong operator mindset—someone who thrives in complex, production‑critical environments and takes pride in resolving issues at their root. You will serve as a primary technical escalation point, working closely with engineering and infrastructure teams to maintain system stability and performance.

You will collaborate with cross‑functional teams, making clear and professional communication in English (written and verbal) essential for success in this role.

This role offers continuity across both deployment and operational phases and provides exposure to large‑scale, modern infrastructure environments, with a clear path for progression into advanced technical or engineering roles.

Key ResponsibilitiesAdvanced Hardware Troubleshooting & Repair

• Diagnose and resolve complex hardware failures across server platforms (motherboards, CPUs, memory, storage)
• Perform component‑level repairs and replacements on servers and data center hardware
• Execute break/fix processes with a focus on minimizing downtime and meeting SLAs
• Conduct root cause analysis (RCA) of hardware failures and implement preventative improvements
• Identify recurring failure trends and contribute to tooling, automation, and process enhancements

Linux Systems & Platform Support

• Utilize Linux command‑line tools for system monitoring, diagnostics, and troubleshooting
• Support provisioning and deployment of servers across Linux distributions (RHEL, Ubuntu, etc.)
• Troubleshoot boot‑level and OS‑level issues in production environments
• Collaborate with engineering teams to resolve complex hardware/software interaction issues

Data Center Operations

• Support hardware installation, structured cabling, and infrastructure validation
• Maintain accurate inventory of spare parts, assets, and retired equipment
• Document repairs, changes, and configurations in ITSM/DCIM systems
• Ensure adherence to safety, security, and operational protocols
• Serve as a primary escalation point for complex infrastructure issues
• Participate in on‑call rotation supporting 24x7 operations

Collaboration & Mentorship

• Provide guidance and mentorship to technicians on hardware troubleshooting and best practices
• Collaborate with network, storage, and infrastructure teams to resolve cross‑functional issues
• Contribute to knowledge sharing, documentation, and operational excellence initiatives
• Support continuous improvement efforts across processes, tooling, and operational workflows

Required Skills

• Strong English communication skills (written and verbal) are required for coordination with cross‑functional teams
• Expert‑level knowledge of server hardware architecture and component‑level troubleshooting
• Strong proficiency with Linux systems and command‑line diagnostics
• Solid understanding of networking fundamentals and infrastructure components
• Experience working within structured operational environments (SOPs, SLAs, ticketing systems)
• Familiarity with ITSM/DCIM tools (ServiceNow, Jira, or similar)
• Experience with structured cabling and fiber optic connectivity
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with attention to detail
• Ability to operate effectively in high‑pressure, high‑availability environments
• Strong organizational and documentation skills

Required Experience

• 5+ years of experience in data center operations or similar infrastructure environments
• Significant hands‑on experience with server hardware troubleshooting and repair
• Minimum of 2 years of experience working with Linux operating systems in production environments
• Experience supporting enterprise server platforms and infrastructure environments