Data Center Engineer — Posting Number : req23898
Department : Infrastructure Services | Location : Main Campus, Tucson, AZ USA
Overview
The University Information Technology Services (UITS) Data Center Engineer is responsible for the comprehensive management and operational oversight of the UITS data center facilities. This role encompasses planning, coordinating, and maintaining critical infrastructure, including power, cooling, and security systems, while ensuring seamless collaboration with campus units such as public safety, facilities management, networking, systems administration and building operations. The engineer also oversees co-location services, building systems, and inventory within the data center environment. This role is essential for ensuring the reliability, security, and efficiency of the university's data center operations and supporting the institution's academic and research missions.
The University of Arizona offers extensive benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; tuition reduction for employees and qualified family members; retirement plans; and access to recreation and cultural activities. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocation services, please click here.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Design and plan data center layouts, including rack placement, structured cabling, airflow management, and space utilization.
- Develop and implement strategies for power distribution, cooling, and redundancy to maximize uptime and energy efficiency.
- Collaborate with network engineering teams on physical network topology and structured cabling design.
- Ensure compliance with university policies, industry standards, and best practices for data center operations.
- Specify and manage power requirements, UPS systems, generators, and cooling capacity for current and future growth.
- Ensure compliance with electrical, mechanical, safety, and environmental standards.
- Coordinate with the building manager and facilities staff for preventive maintenance, repairs, and upgrades to building systems.
- Maintain comprehensive documentation of data center design, infrastructure diagrams, and as-built layouts.
- Ensure physical security and environmental controls are in place and functioning properly.
- Oversee vendor relationships and service contracts for facility and IT infrastructure.
- Oversee inventory of all data center assets, including IT equipment, spare parts, and facility supplies.
- Oversee daily operations of the data center, ensuring optimal performance, security, and availability of all systems and infrastructure.
- Maintain and monitor building systems critical to data center operations, including Amer-X, security cameras, building air handlers, and mechanical room equipment.
- Coordinate with systems administrators regarding installation (including racking), and maintenance of co-location equipment for UITS staff and campus partners.
- Execute and monitor Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for co-location clients, ensuring service commitments are met.
- Coordinate with UITS change advisory board, networking, facilities management, and other university units for scheduled maintenance, upgrades, and emergency response.
- Support audits and risk assessments related to physical and environmental controls.
- Lead and coordinate facility upgrades, new data center builds, or migrations.
- Provide technical leadership on cross-functional projects involving datacenter infrastructure and facilities.
- Oversee inventory of all data center assets, including IT equipment, spare parts, and facility supplies.
- Additional duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of data center infrastructure management (DCIM) tools.Knowledge of co-location service models and SLA management.Knowledge of building access systems and security protocols.Ability to respond to emergencies and participate in incident response processes.Strong project management, organizational, and leadership skills.Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities for cross-departmental coordination.Knowledge of data center infrastructure (power, cooling, security), IT systems, and facility management tools.Minimum Qualifications
Bachelors degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.Minimum of 8 years of relevant work experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.Full Time Details
FLSA : ExemptWork Arrangement : Full TimeHours per Week : 40Job FTE : 1.0Work Calendar : FiscalBenefits Eligible : Yes - Full BenefitsRate of Pay : $86,870 - $112,932Compensation Type : salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)Grade : 11Other Details
Career Stream and Level : PC4Job Family : Computer OperationsJob Function : Information TechnologyType of criminal background check required : Fingerprint criminal background check (security sensitive due to title or department)Number of Vacancies : 1Target Hire Date : Not specifiedOpen Date : 9 / 10 / 2025Open Until Filled : YesApplication Information
Contact Information for Candidates : uits-jobs@arizona.eduDocuments Needed to Apply : Resume and Cover LetterSpecial Instructions to Applicant :Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report : See Clery Act notice per posting.J-18808-Ljbffr