Cloud Data Center Operations Senior Engineer

Job Description:

Cloud Data Center Operations encompass the management and maintenance of data center infrastructure in cloud environments. Here are the key roles and responsibilities typically associated with this area:

Infrastructure Management

• Deployment and Configuration: Setting up and configuring physical and virtual servers, storage, and network components.
• Capacity Planning: Analyzing current usage and forecasting future resource needs to ensure optimal performance.

Monitoring and Performance Optimization

• System Monitoring: Utilizing monitoring tools to track performance metrics, system health, and resource utilization.
• Performance Tuning: Identifying and addressing performance bottlenecks to optimize data center operations.

Security Management

• Implementing Security Protocols: Enforcing security policies, including access controls, firewalls, and encryption.
• Compliance Audits: Ensuring adherence to regulatory and compliance standards (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA).

Incident Response and Troubleshooting

• Issue Diagnosis: Quickly diagnosing hardware and software issues affecting data center operations.
• Disaster Recovery: Developing and testing disaster recovery plans to ensure data integrity and availability.

Backup and Data Management

• Data Backup: Implementing regular backup processes to secure critical data and systems.
• Data Lifecycle Management: Managing data storage, retention, and archiving according to business policies.

Collaboration and Documentation

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Working with development, DevOps, and IT teams to support application deployment and maintenance.
• Documentation: Keeping detailed records of system configurations, operational procedures, and changes made.

Cost Management and Optimization

• Budget Management: Monitoring operational costs and identifying opportunities for cost savings.
• Resource Optimization: Implementing strategies to optimize resource usage and reduce waste.

Hardware and Software Maintenance

• Regular Maintenance: Performing routine maintenance on servers, storage, and network equipment.
• Patch Management: Keeping software and firmware up to date to address vulnerabilities and improve performance.

Capacity and Scalability Planning

• Resource Scaling: Evaluating and implementing scalable solutions to accommodate growth.
• Forecasting Needs: Assessing trends to ensure the data center can handle future demands.

Training and User Support

• Technical Support: Providing support and troubleshooting assistance to users and other teams.
• Knowledge Sharing: Training team members on best practices, tools, and technologies.

Sustainability and Efficiency

• Energy Management: Implementing energy-efficient practices to reduce the environmental impact of data center operations.
• Efficiency Improvements: Identifying and adopting technologies that enhance operational efficiency.

Continuous Improvement

• Process Optimization: Continuously evaluating and improving processes for better efficiency and effectiveness.
• Staying Current: Keeping abreast of new technologies, trends, and best practices in cloud data center operations.

Job Qualifications:

Degree (preferred but not always mandatory):

• Computer Science
• Information Technology
• Electrical or Electronics Engineering

• Related technical fields

• Bachelor's Degree in:

• Equivalent experience may be accepted in lieu of a formal degree.

Certifications:

• AWS: AWS Certified Solutions Architect or SysOps Administrator
• Azure: Microsoft Certified Azure Administrator

• Google Cloud: Google Professional Cloud Architect or Operations Engineer

• CompTIA Server+ or CompTIA Cloud+

• Certified Data Centre Professional (CDCP)

• Uptime Institute Accredited Tier Designer/Professional

• Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) or equivalent.

• ITIL Foundation Certification for operational processes.

• Cloud Platforms

• Data Center & Infrastructure
• Networking
• Monitoring and IT Operations

Technical Skills:

Cloud Expertise:

• Strong knowledge of cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, or others).
• Managing cloud-based resources such as virtual machines, storage, and networking.
• Monitoring cloud services and optimizing for performance and cost.

Data Center Management:

• Server installation, maintenance, and decommissioning.
• Power and cooling systems management.

• Rack and cable management.

• Hands-on experience with physical data center infrastructure:

• Understanding of hardware troubleshooting (servers, storage devices, networking hardware).

Networking:

• TCP/IP, VLANs, DNS, DHCP, and routing protocols.

• Knowledge of SDN (Software-Defined Networking) in cloud environments.

• Solid understanding of network concepts:

• Managing physical and virtual network devices.

Monitoring and Automation:

• Proficiency in using monitoring tools like Nagios, SolarWinds, or cloud-native tools (AWS CloudWatch, Azure Monitor).
• Automating routine tasks with scripting languages (e.g., Python, Bash, PowerShell).
• Familiarity with Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) tools like Terraform, Ansible, or CloudFormation.

Security and Compliance:

• Ensuring physical and cloud infrastructure security.
• Familiarity with compliance standards (ISO 27001, SOC 2, GDPR, etc.).
• Managing Identity and Access Management (IAM) in cloud environments.

Backup and Disaster Recovery:

• Setting up and managing backup solutions for data center and cloud workloads.
• Knowledge of disaster recovery (DR) planning and execution.

1. Problem-Solving: Ability to troubleshoot hardware, network, and cloud issues quickly and efficiently.
2. Communication: Strong ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and explain technical problems to stakeholders.
3. Attention to Detail: Essential for managing critical infrastructure.
4. Adaptability: Must stay updated with evolving technologies and tools.
5. Teamwork: Ability to work effectively in collaborative environments.

Experience:

• Entry-level: Positions may accept candidates with 1-2 years of experience in IT operations, data centers, or cloud platforms.

Job-Specific Expectations:

• Monitoring and maintaining the health of cloud and on-premises data center infrastructure.
• Managing deployments, migrations, and upgrades of physical and cloud resources.
• Ensuring high availability and redundancy for critical systems.
• Optimizing energy consumption and operational costs.
• Collaborating with security teams to ensure compliance and risk mitigation.

• Knowledge of containerization and orchestration (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes).
• Experience with hybrid cloud setups.
• Familiarity with edge computing and distributed data centers.
• Hands-on knowledge of SD-WAN technologies.
• Know how to drive manual cars
• Works 24/7 including holidays and weekend
• On call as needed
• Willing to extend working hours