S4 DC Tech Shift Lead (Johannesburg)

at  Variscale Services Engineering

Variscale is seeking a Data Center Tech S4 who can drive the local execution of standardized workflows, triage unexpected anomalies and identify opportunities to scale as part of a DC Campus team. This shift lead will work closely with the local Site Manager to mentor and grow the local team of Technicians, and communicate strategy, vision and feedback to the team and leadership. This technical expert is a resource for the team, a driven and motivated self-starter and able to work well with cross functional partner teams to improve processes.

• Represent the site as a technical point of contact for incidents, escalations, retrofits, etc.
• Assist leading a team of data center shift technicians focused on returning healthy systems back into production for the client.
• Ability to see the big picture from leadership and implement the vision through global standards and workflows at the local data center site.
• Provide mentoring and to help develop technicians such that they can deliver daily operations with minimal supervision.
• Manage server upgrades, integration, automated OS provisioning process, rebuilds and other projects as required. Understand and debug network, hardware, and Linux OS related issues.
• Identify and support the creation of documentation for the global DC knowledge base. Implement process improvements and inform of any best practices in data center operations.
• Drive specifications for tooling and automation that facilitate deployment, monitoring, quality hardware diagnostics, automated remediation and decommissioning of server hardware at scale.
• Ensure operational excellence through key metric achievement and ongoing continuous improvement.
• Performs diagnostics and troubleshooting following standard procedures, quickly identifies the cause(s) of issues, and replaces faulty components with minimal customer and business disruption.
• Performs post-execution quality checks and verifies that grounding, staging, labeling, and cabling are set up properly according to safety protocols, deployment standards, and planned Network Design Tasks (NDTs),
• Decommissions hardware for simple changes and refreshes (e.g., memory upgrades, OS rebuilds) following standard procedures with minimal guidance.
• Follows procedures to communicate, report, and escalate incidents to appropriate Variscale Management.
• Participates in daily safety briefings, completes required safety training, complies with safety procedures (e.g., equipment use, lifting, electrical hazards, ladder/rolling stair use).
• Contributes to a positive and effective team environment by sharing information with others, contributing to regular team meetings, asking questions, and staying apprised of the status of others’ work.

What you bring:

• Exceptional server hardware knowledge with deep understanding of all component & system type failures.
• 8+ years of experience as a data center technician.
• Ability to work autonomously and within a local or geographically dispersed team environment.
• Ability to lead and mentor a team of technicians.
• Ability to conducting failure analysis on field issues.
• Ability to track server fleet health to investigate trends, identify new unknown issues, and validate that Variscale is maintaining customer SLA.
• Expert experience with IPMI utilization in diagnostics.
• Administer software tools (e.g.: diagnostics, tests, FW updates).
• Experience in real-time issue resolution during deployment execution .
• Experienced with Windows Server OS & WinPE OS administration.
• Experience with Linux PXE services a plus.
• Network troubleshooting of Layer-1. Layer-2, Layer-3 a plus.
• Windows and Linux scripting experience.
• Virtual Machine set up and environmental configurations.
• CompTIA A+ or equivalent experience.
• CompTIA Server+ or equivalent experience.
• CCENT or equivalent experience.
• Associate degree in computer science, computer engineering, Information technology or equivalent experience preferred.
• CCNA certification preferred.
• MCP/MSCE certification preferred.
• Scripting experience preferred:
• Powershell
• Python
• Bash
• The ability to lift up to 50 pounds when necessary.
• The ability to safely climb ladders when necessary.
• The ability to wear personal protective gear correctly when necessary.
• The ability to stand and walk throughout a Data Center facility for extended periods without loss or reduction of productivity.
• The ability to (i) use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls, (ii) make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls, (iii) bend or twist their body and (iv) repeat movements for extended periods without loss or reduction of productivity.

Variscale Services & Engineering, Inc. offers a highly competitive salary commensurate with work experience and/or education, an excellent benefits program that includes a 401(k) plan, health and dental insurance, and paid time off. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and do not discriminate against otherwise qualified applicants on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, age, gender, marital status, national origin, disability or handicap, or veteran status. Variscale Services & Engineering, Inc. is a Drug-Free Workplace
About VSEI
At Variscale Services and Engineering, Inc. (VSEI), we believe in the power of people, and we’ve built our business around the value of our team members. VSEI delivers world-class technology infrastructure solutions spanning public / hybrid cloud and on-premises environments. With unique engineering validation and global deployment capabilities built to support data centers worldwide, VSEI helps customers streamline infrastructure for cost-effective digital transformation. At VSEI, our team members are rewarded for their contributions, and recognized for the determination, ingenuity, and precision with which they execute. If you want to help power the future of business and technology infrastructure, we have an opening for you.
What We Offer
Our competitive compensation and industry-leading benefits enable team members to focus on our mission and our customers. From healthcare and personal time-off to retirement savings and community involvement programs, VSEI’s holistic benefit packages help you and your loved ones thrive. Exact benefits package based on individual role and location.
Variscale Services & Engineering, Inc. (VSEI) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. VSEI provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws

Please refer the Job description for details