Data Center Engineer

Job Title: Data Centre Engineer

Location: London, UK

Reports to: Data Centre Manager

Salary: Day rate ranges from 180 - 250pd

Role Overview:

As a Data Centre Engineer, you will be responsible for the physical infrastructure within the data centre, including cabling, racking, stacking, and supporting day-to-day operations through Smart Hands services. You will work closely with the network and IT teams to ensure efficient installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of server and network equipment. This role demands hands-on involvement in managing hardware, cabling, and equipment configuration within the data centre environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Cabling & Hardware Management:
• Install, route, and manage data centre cabling (copper, fibre optic) ensuring all connections are secure, labelled, and meet industry standards.
• Perform server and network equipment installation, including racking and stacking servers, switches, routers, and other IT hardware.
• Troubleshoot and repair cabling and hardware faults, including physical connectivity issues.

Rack & Stack Operations:

• Physically install, configure, and decommission hardware in accordance with best practices.
• Maintain accurate rack elevation and asset management records to reflect the current layout of servers and network equipment.
• Ensure proper airflow, cable management, and power distribution within each rack for optimal performance and safety.
• Smart Hands Services:
• Provide remote hands support for clients and internal teams, including troubleshooting hardware, rebooting servers, swapping out equipment, and replacing cables or modules.
• Perform basic software configuration and troubleshooting under the direction of network or server engineers.
• Respond to urgent requests for physical equipment management, such as console access, patching, and equipment upgrades or swaps.

Network & Connectivity Support:

• Assist with the installation, configuration, and troubleshooting of network devices and connectivity issues.
• Perform cable patching for data and power connections, ensuring high-quality and secure connections.
• Work with the network team to support VLAN configurations, IP addressing, and connectivity testing when required.

Documentation & Inventory Management:

• Maintain accurate documentation of cabling layouts, equipment inventory, and rack configurations.
• Ensure that all cabling and equipment installations are recorded in asset management tools and that labeling is up to date.
• Conduct regular audits of physical hardware and network assets to ensure compliance with internal policies.

Health, Safety, and Quality:

• Follow safety protocols and ensure that all cabling and hardware installations comply with the relevant standards and regulations.
• Ensure proper cable management practices are followed to maintain the operational integrity of data centre infrastructure.
• Regularly inspect the data centre for any potential risks or issues related to cable management or hardware placement.

• Collaboration & Communication:

• Work closely with internal teams, including network engineers, systems administrators, and external vendors, to ensure project delivery.
• Act as an escalation point for troubleshooting physical hardware issues.
• Provide real-time updates to clients and internal teams on service requests and project progress.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Strong hands-on experience with structured cabling systems (copper, fibre optic) including crimping, patching, and troubleshooting.
• Familiarity with data centre hardware, including servers, switches, routers, and storage devices.
• Knowledge of data centre best practices in rack layout, power management, cooling, and cable management.
• Understanding of basic networking concepts such as IP addressing, VLANs, and port configurations.

Experience & Education:

• Minimum of 2 years of hands-on experience in a data centre environment focused on cabling and hardware installations.
• Certifications such as BICSI, CompTIA Network+, or similar are advantageous.

• Soft Skills:

• Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills with the ability to resolve issues in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication skills for working with internal teams, clients, and external vendors.
• Attention to detail with the ability to work independently or in a team to complete tasks efficiently.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively to meet deadlines.

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to lift and install hardware components up to 50 lbs.
• Flexibility to work shifts, weekends, and on-call rotations.
• Willingness to travel between data centre locations when required.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary
• Pension plan
• Paid time off and holidays
• Professional development and certification support
• Employee assistance programs