Job Overview - Location: Columbus, Ohio (Hybrid)
Data Center Site Operations & Deployment Lead
We are seeking an experienced Data Center Site Operations & Deployment Lead to oversee site readiness, construction coordination, commissioning, equipment deployment, and day-to-day data center operations at our Columbus, Ohio location.
In this role, you will serve as the primary on-site representative, coordinating with general contractors, vendors, colocation partners, engineering teams, and facility personnel to ensure infrastructure readiness and successful data center deployment.
The ideal candidate will have strong hands-on experience in data center operations, infrastructure deployment, hardware inventory management, procurement, and vendor coordination. Experience supporting new data center builds, high-density computing infrastructure, GPU deployments, and liquid cooling environments is highly desirable.
Key Responsibilities
1. Construction & Site Readiness
Represent the organization on-site during construction and build-out activities.
Coordinate with general contractors, trades, and facility partners to track construction progress and resolve issues.
Validate power, cooling, and network readiness before equipment deployment.
2. Commissioning & Site Acceptance
Participate in commissioning activities and integrated systems testing.
Witness commissioning tests, manage punch lists, and track outstanding issues.
Ensure the site meets operational requirements before go-live.
3. On-Site Operations & Vendor Coordination
Serve as the primary on-site contact for vendors, colocation partners, contractors, and remote-hands teams.
Coordinate equipment deliveries, installations, maintenance, and service activities.
Ensure timely resolution of operational issues.
4. Incident Response & Troubleshooting
Act as the first point of contact for on-site hardware, power, and cooling incidents.
Perform initial triage, open and track vendor support tickets, and coordinate resolution.
Escalate complex infrastructure issues to engineering teams as needed.
5. Equipment Receiving & Deployment
Manage equipment receiving, inspection, and staging.
Verify shipments against purchase orders and delivery documentation.
Coordinate rack-and-stack, cabling, installation, and power-up activities.
6. Inventory & Asset Management
Maintain accurate hardware inventory, including serial numbers, asset tags, and equipment status.
Track assets throughout their lifecycle, from procurement and delivery through deployment, maintenance, and retirement.
Partner with operations leadership to maintain accurate asset records.
7. Procurement & Vendor Management
Obtain and evaluate vendor quotes.
Track purchase orders, delivery commitments, and invoices.
Reconcile equipment deliveries against purchase orders and invoices.
Support sourcing decisions and vendor coordination.
8. Delivery & Capacity Planning
Monitor lead times and delivery schedules for long-lead equipment.
Identify potential supply chain and deployment schedule risks.
Maintain installed and planned capacity reports for engineering and operations leadership.
9. Safety & Change Management
Follow established Method of Procedure (MOP), Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), and Emergency Operating Procedure (EOP) requirements.
Maintain site safety standards when working around live power, cooling, and network infrastructure.
Demonstrate awareness of lockout/tagout (LOTO) and arc flash safety practices.
10. Process Documentation
Develop and maintain repeatable processes for site readiness, equipment receiving, inventory, incident management, and procurement.
Create documentation and operational trackers that can be standardized across future data center locations.
Required Qualifications & Experience
7+ years of experience in data center operations, colocation facilities, or mission-critical infrastructure environments.
Experience supporting at least one new data center build, facility fit-out, or major infrastructure deployment from construction through go-live.
Hands-on experience with hardware inventory management, asset tracking, serial number management, and stock control.
Experience managing procurement activities, purchase orders, vendor quotes, delivery tracking, and invoice reconciliation.
Experience coordinating vendors, contractors, technicians, and remote-hands teams in live data center environments.
Working knowledge of data center infrastructure, including:
Enterprise servers and networking equipment.
Rack-and-stack and structured cabling.
Rack power distribution and electrical infrastructure.
Cooling systems and facility infrastructure.
Understanding of data center safety practices, including lockout/tagout (LOTO) and arc flash awareness.
Advanced Excel or Google Sheets skills, including building inventory trackers, operational dashboards, and reports.
Strong organizational, communication, vendor management, and problem-solving skills.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with GPU infrastructure, AI accelerators, and high-density computing environments.
Familiarity with liquid cooling technologies and advanced data center cooling systems.
Experience with data center commissioning documentation and integrated systems testing.
Familiarity with DCIM, ERP, asset management, and ticketing platforms.
OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification.
Experience with vendor contracts, service-level agreements (SLAs), and commercial terms.
Ideal Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate is a hands-on data center operations professional who can manage on-site activities independently, coordinate multiple vendors, maintain accurate inventory and procurement records, and ensure infrastructure is ready for successful deployment.
Strong ownership, attention to detail, proactive communication, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are essential.
Location: Columbus, Ohio (Hybrid)
