As a Data Center Site Lead, you will collaborate closely with the Site Services Manager to inspire and guide a team of talented technicians. You will play a crucial role in optimizing workflows, triaging anomalies, and scaling operations within cutting-edge data center campus. Your technical expertise, coupled with your exceptional attention to detail and analytical mindset, will empower you to identify opportunities for process improvement and foster a culture of continuous learning and development.

Location: Johannesburg, South Africa.
Working model: on site.
Contract type: Contract of employment. 
Duration: 12 months.  

Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary technical point of contact for incidents, escalations, and retrofits, acting as a trusted advisor to stakeholders.
• Lead a team of dedicated data center technicians, focusing on efficiently restoring systems and ensuring seamless production for our clients.
• Implement global standards and workflows, aligning local data center operations with the organization's strategic vision.
• Mentor and develop technicians to enhance their operational capabilities and empower them to deliver exceptional results with minimal supervision.
• Manage server upgrades, integration, automated OS provisioning, and other projects while troubleshooting network, hardware, and Linux OS issues.
• Contribute to the creation and maintenance of comprehensive documentation in the global DC knowledge base.
• Drive process improvements and share best practices to optimize data center operations.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define specifications for tooling and automation, enabling streamlined deployment, monitoring, and hardware diagnostics at scale.
• Ensure operational excellence by achieving key metrics and continuously seeking opportunities for improvement.
• Conduct diagnostics and troubleshooting to identify the root causes of issues, swiftly replacing faulty components to minimize customer disruption.
• Perform post-execution quality checks, ensuring adherence to safety protocols, deployment standards, and planned Network Design Tasks (NDTs) related to grounding, staging, labeling, and cabling.
• Communicate, report, and escalate incidents following established procedures to facilitate timely resolution.
• Promote a positive team environment by actively sharing knowledge, participating in team meetings, and staying informed about the progress of colleagues' work.

Requirements:

• Possess exceptional knowledge of server hardware, including an in-depth understanding of component and system failures.
• Exhibit the ability to work autonomously as well as collaboratively within local or geographically dispersed teams.
• Demonstrate strong leadership skills and experience in mentoring and guiding a team of technicians.
• Conduct thorough failure analysis to resolve field issues effectively.
• Track server fleet health, identifying trends, unknown issues, and validating customer service level agreements (SLAs).
• Proficient in utilizing IPMI for diagnostics and administering software tools.
• Experienced in real-time issue resolution during deployment execution.
• Familiarity with Windows Server OS and WinPE OS administration.
• Linux PXE services experience is a plus.
• Knowledge of network troubleshooting at Layer 1, Layer 2, and Layer 3 is beneficial.
• Skilled in scripting languages such as PowerShell, Python, and Bash for automation.
• Virtual machine setup and environmental configuration expertise.

Qualifications:

• 6+ years of experience as a data center technician, showcasing a strong foundation in data center operations.
• Associate's degree in computer science, computer engineering, information technology, or equivalent experience preferred.
• CompTIA A+ or equivalent experience.
• CompTIA Server+ or equivalent experience.
• CCENT or equivalent experience.
• Windows OS experience.
• CCNA certification is preferred.
• MCP/MSCE certification is preferred.
• Scripting experience preferred, specifically in PowerShell, Python, or Bash.
• Ability to lift up to 35 pounds when necessary.
• Proficiency in safely climbing ladders and correctly wearing personal protective gear.
• Capability to stand and walk throughout the facility for extended periods without loss of productivity.
• Dexterity to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls, and perform repetitive movements without reduction in productivity.