# Data Center Site Operations Manager

**Company:** [Lightning AI](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/lightning-ai)
**Location:** Allen, TX, Fort Worth, TX
**Role:** Hardware Engineering
**Salary:** $120k – $145k/yr
**Experience:** 4+ years
**Skills:** Data Center Operations, Racking, Cabling, Power Distribution, Network Hardware, Preventive Maintenance, Incident Response, Troubleshooting, Vendor Management, Inventory Management, Break/Fix, Comptia, Cisco, Juniper
**Posted:** 2026-08-12

> Leads deployment and ongoing operations for a data center facility, managing technicians, vendors, infrastructure installation, maintenance, inventory, and incident response. Requires 4+ years of data center operations experience and 2+ years of direct people management.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities

### Launch and Operate the Chicago Facility
- Oversee setup of data center systems within an existing colocation facility.
- Coordinate equipment installation, including rack-and-roll delivery, cabling, network installation, and power-up procedures.
- Manage vendor relationships, scheduling, and performance to ensure successful deployment.
- Track and manage inventory and incoming hardware.

### Onsite Operational Leadership
- Lead data center technicians handling maintenance, break/fix, diagnostics, and routine inspections.
- Develop and implement procedures for uptime, preventive maintenance, and incident response.
- Serve as the primary on-site point of contact for operational issues and escalations.

### Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with NetOps, Engineering, and Supply Chain teams to support deployments and ongoing operations.
- Participate in hiring, training, and mentoring on-site technicians.
- Travel to other data centers to learn processes and align operational standards.

## Requirements
- 4+ years of experience in data center operations.
- 2+ years of direct people management experience.
- Strong understanding of data center infrastructure, including racking, cabling, cooling basics, power distribution, and network hardware installation.
- Ability to lead technicians through break/fix, installation, troubleshooting, and maintenance workflows.
- Strong troubleshooting skills and ability to respond quickly to operational issues.
- Strong vendor management experience, including scheduling, accountability, and performance tracking.
- Detail-oriented, organized, and comfortable working in fast-moving environments.
- Ability to manage a team supporting a 24/7 data center environment.
- Ability to meet physical requirements, including lifting up to 50 lbs.

## Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with data center tenant fit-outs.
- Experience in high-density or hyperscale environments.
- Relevant certifications such as CompTIA, Cisco, Juniper, or similar.

## Compensation and Benefits
- Annual base salary: **$120,000–$145,000 USD**.
- Discretionary bonus and meaningful equity component.
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and eligible dependents.
- RSUs.
- 401(k) matching in the U.S.
- Unlimited PTO, company holidays, and floating holidays.
- Two-week company-wide winter break.
- Paid parental and family leave.
- Annual learning and development allowance.
- Wellness and work-from-home stipends.
- Four weeks of paid sabbatical leave after four years of service.
- Flexible schedules and a hybrid work model for office-based teams.
- Complimentary meals at office hubs.
- Benefits may vary by location, team, and role.

## Similar jobs

- [Field Engineer: Cryogenics & RF Hardware](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/2414c009-373d-4002-b2af-bfcef578974a) - Rigetti Computing - Berkeley, CA - $115k – $140k/yr
- [Manufacturing Engineer](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/6d5312ba-34e0-427e-b850-436a966a3f8f) - Forterra - Clarksburg, MD - $115k – $140k/yr
- [Designer & Detailer , Modular R&D](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/c2914e5d-064d-4139-b5f5-24d8915421d7) - Fluidstack - Austin, TX - $134k – $164k/yr
- [Designer & Detailer , Modular R&D](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/709e3d79-ff85-4233-bed8-78e303af1082) - Fluidstack - Austin, TX - $134k – $164k/yr
- [Diagnostics Serviceability Engineer](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/e500273d-4210-45d6-995d-9512d415edf9) - Zoox - Foster City, CA - $138k – $192k/yr

**Apply:** https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/179482ac-756f-474a-b464-72de0b9042fb
**Canonical:** https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/179482ac-756f-474a-b464-72de0b9042fb