IT Infrastructure Technician/Data Center

Job description

The IT Infrastructure Smart Hands Technicians will act as an on-site extension of the IT and data center operations team, providing hands-on technical support for networking, servers, storage, and related infrastructure.

This role is responsible for carrying out physical tasks under the guidance of remote engineers and project teams, ensuring the proper installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and documentation of activities in the data center and server room.

The ideal technician will possess strong technical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to follow detailed instructions.

Reliable transportation is required, as some responsibilities will take place at the Santa Clara data center and other local sites as needed.





Key Responsibilities

Networking Smart Hands Support

Install, cable, and secure network equipment, including switches, routers, and access points.

Mount, configure, and test wireless access points following company standards and installation guidelines.

Perform patch panel terminations, structured cabling, labeling, and cable management tasks.

Assist remote network engineers with port mapping, hardware replacements, and connectivity validation.

Conduct basic network diagnostics and report findings back to remote teams.

Support circuit turn-ups, cross-connect installations, and network expansion activities in coordination with service providers and internal teams.



Server, Storage & Hardware Support

Rack, stack, and cable servers, storage arrays, and related hardware following established standards and best practices.

Assist with hardware repairs and upgrades, such as memory, drive, or component replacements, under the direction of remote engineers.

Record asset information such as serial numbers, asset tags, and physical locations for tracking and lifecycle management.

Decommission retired equipment, ensuring proper data sanitization and following company procedures for safe removal.

Maintain accurate documentation of installed, moved, or decommissioned hardware.

Confirm all deployed hardware is covered by an active manufacturer or third-party warranty before installation.



Data Center & Server Room Operations

Maintain a clean, organized, and secure data center and server room environment.

Monitor and report environmental conditions, including power, cooling, and rack space utilization.

Perform preventive maintenance tasks, including cable management and PDU inspections.

Provide on-site support for urgent troubleshooting and incident response activities.

Perform remedial tasks as required under the direction of IT management, including basic corrective actions to maintain operational readiness.



Documentation & Process Adherence

Follow detailed instructions, SOPs, and task checklists provided by remote teams.

Maintain up-to-date documentation, including port maps, rack elevations, and change records.

Provide regular status updates and report task completion to leadership teams.

Ensure compliance with operational standards, security policies, and safety guidelines at all times.





Required Skills and Qualifications

Technical Skills

Strong understanding of OSI layer-1

Understanding of fiber-optic connectivity

General understanding of transmit vs receive

General understanding of fiber-optic light power attenuation

General understanding of why fiber-optic connections need to be clean

General understanding of use of fiber-optic attenuators

General understanding of fiber connection types (LC vs SC // duplex vs simplex)

General understanding of MTP12/MPO fiber optic connections

General understanding of fiber wavelength types (multimode vs singlemode)

General understanding of SFP vs QSFP optical transceivers

General understanding of how to troubleshoot fiber systems with a laser fault finder

General understanding of fiber-optic bend radius best practices

Understanding of copper connectivity

General understanding of copper termination types (T568-A vs T568-B)

General understanding of Cat5e vs Cat6 vs Cat6A

General understanding of distance limitations for copper cabling

General understanding of how to troubleshoot copper systems with a tone tester

General understanding of the difference between stranded copper and solid copper cabling

General conceptual understanding of VLANs and IP addressing

Hands-on experience with installing and configuring wireless access points and wired networking devices.

Proficiency in structured cabling practices, including patch panel terminations and cable labeling.

Familiarity with networking equipment from vendors such as Cisco, Arista, or Juniper.

Basic understanding of server and storage hardware components.

Ability to interpret and follow network diagrams, wiring layouts, and rack elevation plans.



Soft Skills

Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy in performing physical tasks.

Clear, professional communication skills for collaborating with remote teams.

Strong problem-solving abilities with a focus on following instructions and delivering reliable results.

Ability to work independently while staying aligned with team objectives and directives.

High level of professionalism and accountability when handling sensitive systems and data.



Other Requirements

Reliable transportation to travel to the Santa Clara data center and other local sites as required.

Ability to lift and move equipment weighing up to 50 lbs safely.

Availability to work after-hours or weekends for critical tasks or emergency support as required.

Adherence to all safety protocols, including the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) when necessary.

Strong organizational skills to manage multiple tasks and priorities effectively.

Ability to communicate status updates clearly and promptly to internal teams and management.

Commitment to following established data center and IT operational procedures without deviation.

Comfortable working in secure, controlled environments with limited access and strict process guidelines.

Professional demeanor and appearance when interacting with internal teams, vendors, or facility staff.

Required Skill Profession

Other General