Demo

Data Center Engineer/Architect

SMS Data Products Group, Inc.
Washington, DC Full Time
POSTED ON 4/15/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 5/15/2026
SMS is seeking a Data Center SME to provide technical leadership and support in the areas of IT planning, solution specification/design, implementation and target architecture development for the AFNCR Consolidated Communication Center (CCC). This role will support the 744th Communications Squadron at Joint Base Andrews (JBA). This role includes supporting the Air Force District of Washington (AFDW) and Headquarters Air Force (HAF) customers on both NIPRNet and SIPRNet domains for the development of the CCC building.

The qualified candidate will have knowledge of information technology commercial solutions and experience designing and developing technical solutions in order to lead the design and development of cutting-edge, scalable, and energy-efficient data center infrastructure. This role will also rack and stack equipment, support upgrades and consolidations, ensure power is transferred if there is a power failure, and provide general data center operational support.

As a dynamic systems integrator, SMS offers proven solutions in engineering, operations, cybersecurity, and digital transformation. With expertise in modernizing and optimizing legacy infrastructure and systems, ensuring operational efficiency, and designing, implementing, and managing secure environments, SMS supports business and mission goals with proficiency, quality, and integrity.

SMS has been serving the advanced information technology needs of the federal government since 1976, delivering talented teams and innovative, cost-effective solutions and services to support our customers’ missions for more than 45 years. SMS is headquartered in McLean, Virginia, with offices and on-site operations at customer locations throughout the United States. For additional information on SMS, visit www.sms.com .

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Responsibilities

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES :

  • Lead and assist with strategic data center operation and migration planning
  • Collaborate with stakeholders to define the processes and standards that govern data center activities
  • Coordinate and control access and logistic support for the installation, troubleshooting, maintenance or decommissioning of date center equipment
  • Be able to work with and employ rack level redundancy techniques, rack standards, properties and selection criteria, and power rail/strip options, cold aisle/hot aisle containment, and standards for fire suppression, security and safety.
  • Provide follow-up reports (technical findings, feedback, resolution steps taken) for root cause analysis, engineering technical assessment and process improvement initiatives.
  • Develop and implement standards, procedures, and processes
  • Work within the DevSecOps methodology to plan and support implementation of new technologies.
  • Assist Government in determining tactical and strategic direction of the organization as it relates to emerging operational support technologies.
  • Research, analyze, and recommend new operational support technologies, tools, and techniques.
  • Conduct system support design and performance evaluation reviews.
  • Keep abreast of emerging operational support technologies and industry trends.
  • Produce architectural artifacts to include system design diagrams, recommendation justifications, and technical specifications.
  • Effectively communicate design standards to internal and external project partners
  • Ensure compliance with data center security protocols

Qualifications

EDUCATION AND/ OR EXPERIENCE

  • BS degree (or equivalent) in Cybersecurity, Information Security, IT, EE, Network Engineering, Computer Science, or related field and 10 years of prior relevant experience
  • Possess an active Secret security clearance
  • Requires multiple years of prior data center operations experience.
  • Experience with Data Center Strategy, Planning, and Roadmap maintenance
  • Hands-on Experience in working with DoD networks, including NIPR, SIPR
  • NGEN first generation experience managing a central delivery of IT services for including: NOC operations, SOC operations, Cyber operations, messaging, systems, transport, storage, backup and restore and incident management.
  • Demonstrated experience running a DevOps organization
  • Knowledge of power infrastructure layout from generation to rack level, redundancy levels and techniques, rack standards, properties and selection criteria, and power rail/strip options, cold aisle/hot aisle containment, and standards for fire suppression, security and safety
  • Experience planning implementation of enhancements and upgrades to the very large enterprise service organizations.
  • Experience in advising senior program leaders and stakeholders of hardware requirements, configurations and limitations.
  • Ability to maintain technical expertise in all areas of network and computer hardware and software interconnection and interfacing.
  • Expertise in developing and implementing new technologies to enhance capabilities of the enterprise.
  • Experience with IT Service Management (ITSM) products such as ServiceNow or Remedy.
  • Experience mentoring others.
  • Excellent customer-facing skills.
  • Excellent research, decision-making and organizational skills are required.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite including Microsoft Visio or AutoCAD.
  • Maintain confidentiality and adhere to data protection and other guidelines where appropriate.

Required Cert

  • Active CompTia SEC CE Cert

Desired Skills And Certs

    • ITIL Foundation 4 Cert a plus
    • Data Center Management Certification a plus
    • Experience or familiarity with DCIM management software such as NLYTE
SMS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employmen t without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Salary.com Estimation for Data Center Engineer/Architect in Washington, DC
$102,696 to $132,391
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