Datacenter Technician

Role Purpose

The Smart Hands & Feet Data Center Support Technician provides 24×7 on‑site operational presence to support safe, reliable, and uninterrupted operations at the HCLTech Columbus Data Center.

This role acts as the eyes and ears on the ground, performing monitoring, walk‑arounds, first‑level validation, controlled response, and escalation for data center facilities, power, cooling, security, and life‑safety systems. The role works in close coordination with remote NADC (North America Data Center) / Monitoring teams and on‑call HCLTech facilities and engineering resources.

Important: This is not an engineering, repair, or decision‑making role. Activities are strictly limited to monitoring, verification, approved actions per SOP, and escalation.

Scope of Responsibilities

1. Monitoring & Remote System Oversight

The technician will continuously monitor and respond to alerts from enterprise and local systems, including:

• Weather conditions (to proactively identify storm or environmental risks)
• Control‑M – batch job status, failures, and operational alerts
• Metasys – building management system (BMS) alarms and environmental thresholds
• SolarWinds – infrastructure and system alerts
• Data center CCTV / camera systems for security and situational awareness
• NADC / MSP‑managed monitoring platforms as applicable

Responsibilities include:

• Alert acknowledgement
• Initial validation (remote or physical as required)
• Following documented SOPs and runbooks
• Timely escalation to MSP, facilities, or on‑call engineering

2. Physical Walk‑Arounds & Routine Checks

Perform scheduled and event‑driven walk‑arounds of the data center and support areas, including:

• Raised floor inspections for hazards, obstructions, or abnormalities
• Visual checks of POP rooms, maintenance rooms, battery rooms, and electrical areas
• Verification of access‑controlled and sensitive areas

Conduct and document routine checks, including:

• Liquid cell battery fluid levels
• UPS backup battery levels supporting camera systems
• Glycol levels for CRAC units
• Leak detection systems for alarms or failures
• Emergency gas shut‑off valves (visual verification only)
• EPO (Emergency Power Off) button accessibility and readiness

Specialized testing, calibration, or corrective work is performed by licensed contractors or HCLTech facilities engineers.

3. Power, Cooling & Environmental Support (First‑Level)

Provide first‑level operational support for critical infrastructure under approved procedures, including:

Power Systems

• Utility power availability verification
• Generator systems (status monitoring and alert response)
• UPS systems and associated battery rooms
• Emergency power systems

Cooling & Environmental Systems

• CRAC unit status and alarms
• Temperature and humidity conditions
• Glycol level monitoring

Key activities:

• Verify normal utility power availability before transferring systems off generator power
• Place data center systems into bypass mode during approaching storms as directed by SOP or facilities leadership
• Support restoration from bypass mode once conditions are cleared and approval is provided

4. Event‑Driven & Incident Response Support

Respond to event‑driven alerts and incidents, including:

• Generator, UPS, battery room, maintenance room, and POP room alerts generated via NADC / MSP monitoring
• Power and environmental alarms requiring physical validation
• Storm‑related operational activities

Responsibilities include:

• Physical verification of alarm conditions
• Immediate notification of MSP and on‑call facilities contacts
• Supporting incident coordination until relieved by authorized personnel

5. Fire Alarm & Life‑Safety Support

• Respond to Simplex fire alarm system notifications
• Acknowledge alarms and follow defined response procedures
• Provide checks‑and‑balances oversight when disarming fire alarms, when authorized
• Support actions to prevent unnecessary fire department dispatch, where approved
• Assist during fire, safety, or environmental incidents under guidance from NADC and HCLTech facilities teams

6. Security, Access & Facility Support

• Monitor data center camera systems and controlled‑access areas
• Receive, log, and secure deliveries of data center equipment and materials
• Provide escort support for authorized vendors and service providers
• Check in cleaning crews and unlock/secure janitorial closets per schedule and policy

7. Communication, Logging & Escalation

• Serve as the primary on‑site responder while on shift
• Contact on‑call personnel promptly in response to alerts or incidents
• Escalate to secondary and tertiary contacts if primary resources are unavailable
• Provide clear, accurate, and timely communication during active or potential incidents
• Maintain detailed logs of:
• Events and alerts
• Actions taken
• Escalations and hand‑offs

Skills & Competencies

• Working knowledge of:
• Data center operational environments
• Power distribution, UPS, and generator systems (operational awareness)
• Cooling and environmental systems
• Fire alarm and life‑safety systems
• Familiarity with monitoring tools such as Metasys, SolarWinds, Control‑M, or equivalent
• Strong adherence to SOPs and escalation discipline
• Calm and methodical response under pressure
• High attention to detail and situational awareness

Experience & Qualifications

• 1–3 years experience in:
• Data center operations
• Facilities support
• Critical infrastructure or similar environments
• Experience with:
• Smart Hands & Feet or on‑site support models
• Centralized monitoring or NOC‑driven environments (preferred)
• Ability to work rotating shifts, weekends, holidays, and during severe weather events

A candidate’s pay within the range will depend on their skills, experience, education, and other factors permitted by law. This role may also be eligible for performance-based bonuses subject to HCL policies. In addition, this role is eligible for the following benefits subject to HCL policies: medical, dental, vision, pharmacy, life, accidental death & dismemberment, and disability insurance; employee assistance program; 401(k) retirement plan; 10 days of paid time off (PTO) per year (some positions are eligible for unlimited PTO); and 10 paid holidays per year.

Disclaimer

HCL is an equal opportunity employer, committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees regardless of race, religion, sex, color, age, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, physical disability or genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other protected classification, in accordance with federal, state, and/or local law. Should any applicant have concerns about discrimination in the hiring process, they should provide a detailed report of those concerns to secure@hcltech.com for investigation.