Data Center Architect and Facility Engineer

Qivliq Federal Group, an Akima Company, provides business management, policy support, and technology engineering services to federal civilian and Department of Defense clients. Our mission is to leverage our advanced IT capabilities to deliver difference-making solutions for our customers in the public sector. Our personnel enjoy competitive benefits packages and challenging roles in work environments committed to innovation, diversity and opportunity for career growth. As an Alaska Native Corporation (ANC), 100% of our company’s profits go back to our more than 14,000 Iñupiat shareholders that have resided near and above the Arctic Circle for more than 10,000 years. Our business helps support their way of life and contributes to the survival of a culture that has thrived in a challenging environment.

Summary:

The Data Center Architect and Facility Engineer is responsible for leading tasks in the planning and designing of a Data Center and/or a Co-Location environment as a dedicated space to deploy networked computer systems, storage systems, computing infrastructure, and associated components that store, manage, process, organize, and distribute a large amount of data.

The ideal candidate has experience with designing of data centers including electrical, mechanical, and HVAC systems engineering considerations.

Tasks include reviewing requirements and proposals for heating and cooling systems, power supplies and electrical distribution, control and monitoring systems, generators, UPS systems and providing assessments.

The ideal candidate assists in inspecting, maintaining and escalating issue to vendors.

The ideal candidate will also be responsible for building out and maintaining the data center, ensuring all production server environments are secure, operational, and highly available through continuous proactive monitoring, customer support, and scheduled maintenance preparation.

Responsibilities:

This position is located in Durham, NC, with potential for occasional travel to Baltimore, MD, if needed. Travel may not be required.

• Participate in the planning, coordination, implementation and execution of approved policies, programs and services related to Data Center services

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to define project design criteria and develop a Basis of Design

• Technical leader managing the Consultants to implement the project from Design through Construction with comprehensive supportive documentation for project handover

• Provide design support to the project Construction Manager during construction

• Tasks include but not limited to responding to RFI’s, issuance of Technical Bulletins, review submittals, architectural drawings and conducting source inspections at Vendor facilities

• Travel to Data Center sites for project review and site walk throughs as required

• Review and update Data Center "as-built" documentation as re-configurations and updates are needed

• Maintain full working knowledge of current best practices for cabinet level hardware, industry standard cable management, documentation, and labeling standards

• Understand of the different trades required to complete low and high voltage work and distribution within a data center

• Support and maintain 24x7 Data Center operations

• Support and execute all data center capacity management and inventory control for optics, cables and all Data Center server/network hardware

• Collaborate with internal teams and external vendors to arrange support or repair of server and network hardware for major components (e.g. hard disk, NIC card, memory)

• Assist in the design and implementation of Data Center build outs, including installation of cabinets, structured cabling, and installation/provisioning of new hardware

• Work with Network engineering and lead Data Center projects to ensure they are delivered to meet customer requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

• 10 years of Data Center architectural experience

• 7 years of experience in mission-critical facility design, construction, and implementation of Data Centers

• 7 years of experience with mission-critical power distribution, mechanical systems (HVAC) and data systems

• 7 years of experience with structured cabling, optical technologies, DC power management, and server/network hardware

• Should possess knowledge of industry standards, building codes and safety standards

• Must have strong cross-discipline knowledge of complete critical facility systems

• Ability to provide solutions to complex projects under pressure

• Experience working in a regulatory environment with deep understanding of Change Control, Incident Management & Problem Management processes and procedures

• Must be able to obtain and maintain a US Public Trust clearance

Desired Qualifications:

• Expertise in the Linux command-line environment

• Hands-on experience in day-to-day Data Center operations

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

• Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills

• Knowledge of Jenkins including groovy pipeline scripting and job creation

• Knowledge of version control systems such as Git

• Ability to create Linux scripts for the completion, automation of task level requirements and ability to create and manage cron jobs in Linux

• Knowledge of a software development lifecycle that includes development, validation, integration, training and production

• Ability to develop a detailed project plan that includes schedule, scope, communication plan, risk analysis, resource estimates, milestones and back-out procedures

• Ability to produce operational documentation using industry best practices in technical writing

• Ability to gather process requirements to automate into Ansible playbooks

• Ability to develop and implement service request workflows for automating system operation and maintenance processes

• Ability to perform written and oral communications, and oral presentations, to communicate technical topics to management and non-technical audiences, and to interface with the internal customers on a daily basis

• Adept at working independently, but also in a team environment

• Demonstrated experience delivering technology solutions in a fast-paced, deadline driven enterprise environment

• Excellent understanding of change management, testing requirements, techniques, and tools to ensure high availability of systems

• Proactive and flexible with ability to effectively work either as part of a team or as an individual

• Effective written and verbal communication at all levels

• Strong attention to detail and ability to prioritize effectively

• Prior Federal government experience

• Self-starter, highly motivated individual who adapts to a dynamic work environment

• Strong attention to detail with an ability to operate effectively across multiple priorities

The duties and responsibilities listed in this job description generally cover the nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. This is not intended to be a complete list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. Subject to the terms of an applicable collective bargaining agreement, the company management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other duties as may be necessary. We wish to thank all applicants for their interest and effort in applying for the position; however, only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.