Data Centre Operations Engineer
The Data Centre Operations Engineer provides support in data centre equipment installation, logging data regarding installed corporate server base, developing procedures for server installation, racking, un-racking, de-commissioning hardware and cable patching from server through to server farm switches. He/She manages the data centre performance and operations. He monitors data volume and performs troubleshooting of non-routine or novel issues with little precedence whenever required. He is required to be on standby with on-call availability with varied shifts including nights, weekends and holidays to resolve data centre related incidents. He works in a team setting and is proficient in database administration, infrastructure concepts and database management related tools and techniques required by the organisation. He is also familiar with the relevant software platforms on which the database is deployed. The Data Centre Operations Engineer is able to quickly and effectively solve issues as they arise. He is able to methodically identify the cause of the issue, evaluate it and develop a solution in collaboration with the team. He is able to communicate effectively and displays high service level standards.
What Does a Data Centre Operations Engineer Do?
Key Responsibilities & Tasks
Manage the set-up of the data centre
- Conduct technical feasibility studies to determine viability, cost, time required and compatibility with organisational needs and requirements
- Explore new concepts and ideas in data centre facilities and equipment
- Review and communicate requirements to senior stakeholders
- Analyse designs to ensure compliance with business requirements, predicted cooling, structural and operational concerns
- Conduct short- and long-term planning to meet organisation’s requirements and business needs
Manage data centre performance and operations
- Oversee compliance with security policies, procedures and protocols
- Develop documentation, training and guidance procedures for the management of data centre operations
- Identify best practices in data centre operations and management for adoption
- Ensure compliance with security policies, procedures and protocols
- Evaluate services provided by vendors and recommend changes
- Recommend enhancements to improve availability and performance
- Analyse data centre facilities’ bandwidth, capacity requirements and system inter-dependencies
- Optimise the interfaces between the IT equipment and data centre
Mange data centre-related incidents and business continuity
- Develop disaster recovery plans for data centre operations
- Oversee the execution of disaster recovery drills and exercises
- Analyse incidents to determine patterns and propose recommendations to prevent future occurrences
- Simulate incidents to diagnose and resolve escalated data centre-related incidents
- Oversee resolution of data centre-related incidents involving vendors
Oversee service level agreements and service improvements
- Manage the development of service-level objectives and targets
- Monitor service level objectives to ensure that requirements are met or exceeded
- Develop client satisfaction metrics and service procedures
- Propose recommendations to improve performance and client satisfaction
Do You Have the Skills for This Role?
A Data Centre Operations Engineer needs 4 core competencies. Here's what's required and at what level.
Supporting Skills
Communication
IntermediateInteracting with Others
Collaboration
IntermediateInteracting with Others
Problem Solving
BasicThinking Critically
Customer Orientation
BasicInteracting with Others
SkillsFuture Skill Levels
3 levelsBasic
Recognise and understand fundamental concepts. Apply skills in routine situations with guidance.
Intermediate
Apply skills in varied situations independently. Analyse problems and adapt approaches as needed.
Advanced
Lead and innovate in complex situations. Evaluate strategies, guide teams, and drive improvements.
Technical Skills & Competencies (TSC) Levels
6 levelsFollow
Carry out routine tasks under close supervision. Follow established procedures and guidelines.
Assist
Perform tasks with some independence. Assist in non-routine situations and apply established techniques.
Apply
Apply skills and knowledge independently in varied situations. Analyse problems and adapt approaches.
Analyse
Analyse complex situations and develop solutions. Guide and mentor junior colleagues.
Strategise
Set strategic direction and drive innovation. Evaluate trade-offs and make high-impact decisions.
Transform
Lead industry transformation. Establish standards, shape policy, and provide expert advisory.
Technical Skills & Competencies
A Data Centre Operations Engineer requires 18 technical skills at specific proficiency levels.
Business Continuity
Level 4Business and Project Management
Implement business continuity and contingency procedures and exercises
Cyber and Data Breach Incident Management
Level 4Operations and User Support
Develop incident management procedures and synthesise incident-related analyses to distil key insights, resolve incidents and establish mitigating and preventive solutions
Disaster Recovery Management
Level 4Business and Project Management
Identify and implement recovery solutions to support disaster recovery strategies
IT Strategy
Level 4Strategy Planning and Implementation
Generate insights to support strategic plans, systems and guidelines for IT, and evaluate the potential costs and value of new IT programmes
Learning and Development
Level 4People Development
Support employees to develop their skills and facilitate learning opportunities and coaching junior management employees
Performance Management
Level 4Operations and User Support
Establish metrics and mechanisms to assess network, software or system performance, and determine Infocomm Technology (ICT) infrastructure components and parameters to be enhanced
Process Improvement and Optimisation
Level 4Business and Project Management
Analyse and develop, review of plans for process improvement and optimisation
Project Management
Level 4Business and Project Management
Plan and drive medium scale projects or programmes, including allocating resources to different parts, and engaging stakeholders on the project's progress and outcomes
Stakeholder Management
Level 4Stakeholder and Contract Management
Develop a stakeholder engagement plan and negotiate with stakeholders to arrive at mutually-beneficial arrangements
System Integration
Level 4Development and Implementation
Determine interoperability of system components and develop a system integration plan
Business Needs Analysis
Level 3Business and Project Management
Elicit and analyse business requirements from key stakeholders and assess relevant solutions and their potential impact
Data Centre Facilities Management
Level 3Operations and User Support
Identify ideal environmental conditions for operations and restore data centre performance against security and service level requirements
Infrastructure Support
Level 3Operations and User Support
Diagnose, troubleshoot and provide end-to-end management of infrastructure disruptions or technical issues encountered by users, and plan infrastructure upgrade activities
IT Asset Management
Level 3Operations and User Support
Determine the IT assets to be procured and guidelines for proper handling, storage and maintenance, and manage the phase-in and phase-out of IT assets
People and Performance Management
Level 3People Development
Implement performance management programmes
Problem Management
Level 3Operations and User Support
Handle specific problems from diagnosis and prioritisation to the identification and implementation of solutions
Procurement
Level 3Stakeholder and Contract Management
Prepare Requests for Proposals (RFP), and assess them against selection criteria and technical specifications, implementing security due diligence review in the vendor selection process
Strategy Implementation
Level 3Strategy Planning and Implementation
Analyse strategies for critical business functions to ensure plans are within risk mitigation factors
European Skills Framework
ESCOSkills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential
Optional
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