What are the responsibilities and job description for the Data Center Operations & Support Engineer position at XFORIA Inc?
Job Title: Data Center Operations & Support Engineer
Location: Norwalk, CT (CyrusOne Data Center) — 100% Onsite
Contract
Position Summary
The Data Center Operations & Support Engineer is responsible for physical hardware deployments, mainframe and server monitoring, network device management, and tier-1/2 desktop and peripheral support. This role ensures high availability of data center infrastructure while maintaining accurate inventory and ticket management through ServiceNow.
Key Responsibilities
Data Center & Mainframe Operations
Rack, stack, cable, and configure servers, network devices, in-rack PDUs, and KVM switches.
Perform physical hardware upgrades, including RAM, storage drives, CPUs, and Network Interface Cards (NICs).
Monitor and maintain data center servers, system interfaces, and communication utilities.
Assist with operations in a large-scale IBM Z10 mainframe environment (IPL, TSO, MVS, JES2, CA7).
Handle daily and monthly tape backup operations for offsite storage.
Manage physical hardware assets, track inventory, and maintain accurate records in ServiceNow.
End-User & Desktop Support
Provide onsite, phone, and remote technical support for desktops, laptops, printers, scanners, and peripherals.
Image, deploy, maintain, and upgrade end-user hardware, software applications, and operating systems.
Troubleshoot network connectivity, device communication, and hardware/software faults.
Manage Move, Add, Change, Install (MACI) requests to minimize user downtime.
Perform preventative maintenance and facilitate repair or warranty replacement for defective parts.
Escalate complex issues to Tier 2/3 engineering teams or third-party vendors as needed.
Qualifications & Requirements
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Systems Engineering, Telecommunications, or a related field (or an equivalent combination of education and experience).
Experience: Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in IT operations, hardware support, or system administration.
Specialized Knowledge:
Proficiency in Microsoft Windows OS and Microsoft Office Suite.
Hands-on experience with ServiceNow or similar ticketing and asset management platforms.
Practical knowledge of network cabling standards, hardware diagnostic tools, and system recovery.
Direct experience or strong familiarity with legacy IBM mainframe environments (Z10, MVS, JES2).
Supervisory experience is preferred for candidates seeking senior operational responsibilities.
1. Data Center Hardware & Cabling Experience (100% Onsite) Physical Infrastructure: Racking and stacking servers, installing KVM switches, and configuring in-rack PDUs. Component Upgrades: Hands-on experience swapping or adding CPUs, RAM, storage drives (H/D), and Network Interface Cards (NICs). Structured Cabling: Clean cable management and device re-connection troubleshooting.
2. Mainframe Environment Familiarity Exposure to IBM Z10 Mainframes and related toolsets (IPL, TSO, MVS, JES2, CA7). Experience handling legacy hardware systems and tape backup/offsite media rotation.
3. ServiceNow & Asset Management Hands-on ticket handling and SLA tracking via ServiceNow. Tracking physical hardware life cycles, deployments, inventory logs, and decommissioned assets.
4. End-User / Desktop Technical Support Troubleshooting Windows OS, MS Office, desktop/laptop hardware, printers, and scanners. Performing MACD (Moves, Adds, Changes, Deletions), system imaging, and basic desktop data recovery.
5. Operational Logistics & Flexibility Schedule: Ability to work flexible shifts in a 24/7/365 environment (nights, weekends, rotating shifts).
Experience Level: 5 years of progressive experience in data processing, computer systems, or data center operations.