Data Centre Engineer

Working Hours: 24x7x365 Shift Pattern – 4 Days On / 4 Days Off / 4 Nights On / 4 Nights Off

About the Role

A leading technology and connectivity organisation is seeking an experienced Data Centre Engineer to join a small, highly skilled team providing critical Data Centre services to a prestigious international financial organisation in Manchester.

Working as part of the Data Centre operations team, you will be responsible for the successful day-to-day running, maintenance and support of the Data Centre environment. You will undertake installations, decommissions, moves, changes, maintenance and fault-finding activities while ensuring all work is delivered safely, efficiently and in accordance with strict client standards, approved processes and agreed Service Level Agreements (SLAs).

Working closely with the client, facilities providers, internal engineering and support teams, and third-party vendors, you will play a key role in maintaining a stable, secure and resilient Data Centre environment supporting critical IT infrastructure.

This is an excellent opportunity for a multi-skilled Data Centre professional with previous experience in a similar role and a strong understanding of IT infrastructure, networking, structured cabling and Data Centre operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the successful day-to-day running of the Data Centre, including installations, decommissions, changes and maintenance activities.
• Carry out racking, stacking, moves, adds, changes, decommissioning and patching activities.
• Plan and implement IT hardware installations in accordance with strict Data Centre standards and approved processes.
• Plan and coordinate the decommissioning of network hardware and structured cabling.
• Monitor operational activities and identify potential risks, issues and opportunities for service improvement.
• Ensure Data Centre standards, security procedures and operational controls are consistently maintained.
• Support change control management across the Data Centre environment.
• Ensure all changes are appropriately planned, authorised, implemented and documented.
• Support incident management and resolution activities.
• Carry out first-line fault finding and troubleshooting.
• Escalate complex technical issues to the appropriate technical or support teams.
• Ensure incidents and service requests are progressed and completed within agreed SLAs.

IT Infrastructure & Technical Support

• Support server and network infrastructure within the Data Centre environment.
• Complete basic server configuration activities, including iDRAC and iLO.
• Support network hardware installation and decommissioning.
• Perform fault finding and basic technical troubleshooting.

Structured Cabling & Infrastructure

• Manage and maintain complex inter-rack and room-level cable infrastructure.
• Plan and support the installation, patching, alteration and decommissioning of structured cabling.
• Support network connectivity and physical infrastructure requirements across the Data Centre.
• Ensure cabling activities are completed to the required client and quality standards.
• Maintain accurate cabling records, inventories and associated documentation.
• Identify cabling infrastructure issues and carry out fault finding where appropriate.
• Provide a stable physical infrastructure platform for IT infrastructure and desktop connectivity.

Asset & Documentation Management

• Manage and track Data Centre assets throughout their operational lifecycle.
• Ensure asset movements, installations and decommissioning activities are accurately recorded.
• Maintain accurate inventories of equipment and infrastructure.
• Update all relevant Data Centre documentation following installations, changes and decommissions.
• Maintain accurate records within service management, ticketing and work-order systems.
• Identify discrepancies within asset records and ensure these are corrected promptly.

Third-Party Vendor Management

• Supervise and escort third-party vendors working within the Data Centre.
• Ensure third-party activities comply with client procedures, security requirements and Health & Safety standards.
• Coordinate vendor activities to minimise operational disruption.
• Liaise with facilities providers and other third parties to support the successful operation of the Data Centre.
• Work closely with facilities providers to support the effective operation of the Data Centre.
• Collaborate with facilities teams to maximise energy efficiency and identify potential operational savings.
• Support Data Centre infrastructure activities involving power outages, replacements and maintenance.
• Coordinate technical activities with facilities providers to minimise operational risk.

Project & Service Improvement

• Support Data Centre-related service improvement projects.
• Contribute to major Data Centre infrastructure projects, including power outages, equipment replacements and infrastructure upgrades.
• Identify opportunities to improve Data Centre processes, operational efficiency and service delivery.
• Contribute technical knowledge and best practice to the wider engineering team.

Service Delivery & SLA Management

• Complete service requests within agreed SLAs and client timescales.
• Ensure tickets and work orders are accurately updated throughout the lifecycle of each activity.
• Monitor outstanding service requests and operational activities.
• Proactively identify service delivery risks and communicate issues to relevant stakeholders.

Quality, Health & Safety & Compliance

• Comply with all client Health & Safety procedures at all times.
• Ensure all Data Centre activities are completed safely and professionally.
• Comply with manufacturers and client Quality Standards.
• Ensure all engineering activities are carried out in accordance with approved processes.
• Ensure Data Centre security procedures and access controls are consistently followed.
• Ensure third-party vendors and contractors comply with approved site processes and Health & Safety requirements.
• Maintain high standards of workmanship across installation, cabling, equipment handling and infrastructure activities.

Technical Environment

• High-Availability IT Environments
• Mission-Critical Infrastructure
• Structured Cabling Infrastructure
• IT Infrastructure Operations
• Network Infrastructure

Technical Expertise

• Strong experience in one or more of the following areas:
• Moves, Adds & Changes (MAC)
• Structured Cabling
• Cable Patching
• Inter-Rack Cabling
• Rack & Stack Activities
• iDRAC / iLO
• Fault Finding & Troubleshooting
• Asset Management
• Change Control
• Service Management & SLA Delivery
• Ticketing Systems
• DCIM

Candidate Requirements

• Proven experience working within a Data Centre environment.
• Previous experience in a similar Data Centre Engineer or Data Centre Infrastructure role.
• Experience working within high-risk, high-availability or operationally critical environments.
• Strong knowledge of Data Centre infrastructure and operations.
• Sound knowledge of infrastructure technologies and networking concepts.
• Experience with IT hardware installation, racking, stacking, patching and decommissioning.
• Experience working with structured cabling and complex inter-rack infrastructure.
• Experience of change control and incident management processes.
• Experience managing and tracking Data Centre assets.
• Strong fault-finding and troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to work independently and use own initiative.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a small engineering team.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail and a proactive approach to operational issues.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure.
• Ability to work a 24x7x365 shift pattern, including days, nights, weekends and public holidays as required.
• Competent in Microsoft Office and standard Helpdesk / Service Delivery applications.
• Ability to comply with strict Health & Safety, security, quality and operational procedures.
• Knowledge of DCIM tools and Data Centre standards.
• Experience using ServiceNow, Remedy or similar ticketing/service management systems.
• Previous experience working within financial services or banking Data Centre environments.
• Experience with server infrastructure and networking technologies.
• Experience with iDRAC, iLO or similar server management interfaces.
• Experience working with facilities providers within a Data Centre environment.
• Experience supporting major Data Centre infrastructure projects.
• Experience with complex inter-rack and room-level cabling environments.
• Relevant Data Centre, networking or cabling qualifications.

Qualifications & Certifications

• Relevant technical qualification in IT, Data Centre Infrastructure, Networking, Telecommunications or a related discipline.
• ITIL certification or equivalent service management qualification.
• CompTIA Server+, Network+ or equivalent technical certification.
• CCNA or equivalent networking qualification.
• BICSI or equivalent structured cabling/Data Centre certification.
• Health & Safety training relevant to Data Centre or technical environments.