"Data Center Engineer - Intermediate"

Posted: 25-Dec-25

Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan

Categories: Staff/Administrative

Internal Number: 272387

A cover letter and resume are important submissions for the hiring team to get a sense of your experience. In the cover letter, in one page or less, please let us know how this role aligns with your career aspirations and skills. Submit both a cover letter and resume as one file.

Competitive salary available based on qualifications, experience and education of the selected candidate.

Information and Technology Services (ITS) is looking for a Data Center Technician to join the Infrastructure Data Centers Department within ITS.

You will provide daily operational support for infrastructure systems across multiple ITS Data Center spaces, handling first level and managing higher level support, while actively coordinating with team members, service groups, and vendors. You will manage tasks such as Vlan changes, blade chassis setup, tool upgrades, and equipment lifecycle activities, often collaborating with various technical teams. You will lead routine to moderately complex projects, build customer relationships, and contribute your input to enhance service and business process solutions.

• Rack, cable, and validate new HPC compute, storage and infrastructure nodes in coordination with ARC system administrators and DCE staff.
• Diagnose, troubleshoot and assist with component-level hardware repair or replacement of failed nodes or subsystems.
• Manage unracking and decommissioning of aging or retired HPC equipment, ensuring asset tracking and environmentally-sound disposal/documentation.
• Act as the primary liaison for hardware vendor support: open and manage service tickets, coordinate diagnostics, and escort on-site vendor technician visits.
• Use foundational Linux system tools and commands to verify node state, configuration accuracy and readiness for service (e.g., boot verification, log inspection, simple diagnostics).
• Maintain accurate, timely records of hardware incidents, replacements, repairs and service-interactions within the tracking system.
• Support data-center best practices specific to high-density HPC: cabling standards, airflow/power management, rack-and-row organization, labeling and tagging.

• Provide daily operational and handling first level and managing higher level support for technical analyst tools and systems across multiple ITS data centers.
• Actively coordinate with team members, service groups, and vendors to resolve incidents and requests, ensuring accurate solutions.
• Follow established procedures and guidelines to research, troubleshoot, escalate, and resolve technical problems; evaluate issues and determine response priorities.
• Offer end-user support and encourage adoption of ITS products and services.
• Collaborate, advise, and educate customers and team members on Data Center Policies and product use, including proper handling of sensitive data.
• Coordinate and develop implementation plans and timelines for projects, including operational tool and firmware upgrades, equipment moves, adds, and changes.
• Provide status updates and relevant information to management and project teams, meeting project deadlines and requirements.
• Estimate task completion times, identify impacted teams, and communicate potential risks and issues to management.
• Support senior staff with project tasks related to larger initiatives.
• Contribute to service enhancement by identifying customer requirements, evaluating gaps in current technology, and recommending proactive improvements.
• Collaborate with technical teams and customers to collect, interpret, and analyze data to inform proposals and solutions.
• Develop, edit, and maintain technical documentation and knowledge base materials.
• Support product adoption and business process transformation, helping develop and revise standards and procedures.

Required Qualifications:

• Background in a related field and/or equivalent combination of education, certification and experience.
• Minimum of two years demonstrated experience in a related role requiring use of operational tool sets, timeliness, customer service, organization, prioritization, troubleshooting at a tier 1 and managing higher level support, and working independently to successfully perform process analysis and manage tasks associated within a project.
• Experience in networking, wiring equipment and server installation.
• Experience in gathering, translating, prioritizing, and documenting system requirements ensuring that it is comprehensive and accurate.
• Experience coordinating small projects to meet customer requirements in a timely manner.
• Some coursework or training toward obtaining a Certified Data Center Professional certificate.
• Demonstrated knowledge in the utilization of at least 3 of the following tools: Proficiencies in the following Operational toolsets KVM/IP, Console session software and DCIM software, Security Access rights distribution, Provisioning tools such as DCTrack, Genetec, Key Card Systems, Monitoring Systems for power and cooling, PDU monitoring systems.
• Demonstrated Knowledge and understanding of data center infrastructures including functions of ATS, Flywheel and battery systems, generator systems, in rack UPS's, the different sources of power voltages, Vlan and IP use, best practice wiring concepts and cable types, knowledge of the varying types of SFP's and switches.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated understanding of TIA-942 requirements for Data Centers
• Basic networking certification(s) or experience
• Basic level ITIL certification or experience
• Proficiency in the utilization of the following tools: Proficiencies in the following Operational toolsets KVM/IP, Console session software and access administration for DCIM, Provisioning tools such as DCTrack, Genesis, Key Card Systems, Monitoring Systems for power and cooling, PDU monitoring systems

UM- ITS welcomes a healthy applicant pool so we encourage all interested applicants to apply. This position may be underfilled at a lower classification depending on the qualifications of the selected candidate. The salary range for the associate level is $50,538 - $56,154.

Please Note: This position is a three-year term limited position

Position includes travel to multiple university locations including Central or North campus and off-campus locations. Candidate must be able to fulfill the necessary requirements to drive a University vehicle.

Job openings are posted for at least seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.