Data Center Technician

$52,000 - $52,000/Yr

Primus Global Services - Altoona, IA

Full-time - Entry Level

Altoona, IA

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

The Data Center Technician position at Primus Global Services Inc. in Altoona, IA, is a contract role lasting 12 months, focused on providing hands-on support and expertise within the local data center environment. The technician will be responsible for physically troubleshooting various network components, including routers, switches, console servers, and optical transport equipment. This role requires a proactive approach to network support, acting as a liaison between local teams and remote networking teams to ensure seamless operations. Key responsibilities include the physical replacement of network hardware such as optics, line cards, supervisor cards, and chassis. The technician will troubleshoot network links, devices, and configuration issues, isolating and resolving problems efficiently. Additionally, the role involves creating RMA requests through OEM vendors for replacement devices and obtaining technical assistance when necessary. Maintaining an accurate asset inventory of defective and replacement parts is crucial, as is the ability to trace and isolate cables through patch panels and test fiber optic cables and optical interfaces. The technician will also schedule and perform network maintenance, repair, and upgrade tasks while minimizing the impact on the production network. Utilizing internal automation software, tools, and scripts to configure, monitor, and repair network equipment is a significant aspect of the job. Collaboration with cross-functional teams, including facilities, cabling, and server teams, is essential for successful project execution. The technician will manage alarms, tasks, and incidents, participating in ongoing deployment projects and conducting physical audits of inventory to update the asset inventory database. This position requires the ability to provide onsite support after business hours as part of an on-call schedule and may involve travel to various sites as needed. The role demands a strong working knowledge of Linux OS, CLI navigation, JUNOS, Cisco IOS, and bash scripting, along with experience in troubleshooting complex network issues under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Physically troubleshoot various network components in network infrastructure including routers, switches, console servers, and optical transport equipment.
• Provide onsite network support and expertise for all teams on the local data center, acting as a liaison for remote networking teams.
• Physically replace optics, line cards, supervisor cards, and chassis hardware.
• Troubleshoot network link, device, and configuration issues, isolating and fixing problems.
• Create new RMA requests through OEM vendors for replacement devices and obtain technical assistance when troubleshooting devices.
• Track, maintain, and update asset inventory of defective and replacement parts.
• Trace and isolate cables through patch panels.
• Test and clean fiber optic cables and optical interfaces.
• Schedule and perform network maintenance, repair, and upgrade tasks while minimizing impact on the production network.
• Use internal automation software, tools, and scripts to configure, monitor, and repair network equipment.
• Work with cross-functional teams, including facilities, cabling, and server teams.
• Perform queue management for alarms, tasks, and incidents and participate in ongoing deployment projects.
• Conduct physical audits of inventory and update the asset inventory database.

Requirements

• Experience with Juniper Enterprise, Cisco, and Service Provider network hardware platforms and architectures, including data center switching platforms.
• Strong working knowledge of routing and switching technologies and protocols.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex situations and utilize troubleshooting skills, systems, tools, and creative problem-solving abilities under pressure.
• Strong working knowledge of Linux OS, CLI navigation, JUNOS, Cisco IOS, and bash.