The Foundation
We are the largest nonprofit fighting poverty, disease, and inequity around the world. Founded on a simple premise: people everywhere, regardless of identity or circumstances, should have the chance to live healthy, productive lives. We believe our employees should reflect the rich diversity of the global populations we aim to serve. We provide an exceptional benefits package to employees and their families which include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with no premiums, generous paid time off, paid family leave, foundation-paid retirement contribution, regional holidays, and opportunities to engage in several employee communities. As a workplace, weโre committed to creating an environment for you to thrive both personally and professionally.
The TeamAs a Senior Data Center Solutions and Operations Engineer at the Gates Foundation, you will be an integral part of IT Infrastructure team and play a pivotal role in shaping the infrastructure that powers our global operations. This position offers a unique opportunity to lead major projects involving the design and optimization of our data centers, ensuring high levels of efficiency and sustainability that align with our strategic objectives.
Your Role
As the Senior Data Center Solutions and Operations Engineer, you will report to Senior Manager of Infrastructure team. With your robust technical understanding of IT operations, data center operations complexities, vendor management, and infrastructure services you are responsible for defining, tracking, and leading significant operations and cross-functional projects that impact various operational teams as they relate to data centers, data closets, and cable plants. Responsibilities will span the Seattle campus and include regional/affiliate office operations, necessitating both domestic and international travel.
What Youโll Do
Seattle Campus:
- Oversee the daily operations of all data center activities, data cabling infrastructure, and telecommunications equipment and circuitry.
- Review and approve hardware installation plans within data spaces and building demarcation points to ensure compliance with physical requirements (space, rack mount, power, cooling, etc.). Inspect hardware installations upon completion.
- Implement and maintain data and cabling standards across all foundation spaces.
- Engage in capacity planning by monitoring and analyzing data space electrical power demand and equipment cooling load to forecast equipment growth capabilities.
- Serve as the lead technical resource for any work effort or project related to data center expansions or new construction projects.
- Identify and resolve recurring problems, developing new techniques to enhance operating environments.
- Train, develop, and oversee team members involved in data space deployments, build-outs, and moves.
- Establish and maintain excellent working relationships with vendors.
- Utilize in-depth knowledge of co-location and self-hosting infrastructure and services to evaluate and negotiate potential data center co-location spaces.
- Conduct business analysis to work efficiently with other foundation groups, translating needs and issues into functional requirements, technology solutions, and project plans.
- Manage external vendors conducting work within foundation data spaces (electricians, cabling, HVAC, security).
- Modernize Data Centers while applying industry advancements and a focus on hybrid infrastructure.
- Be an integral part of the Interdepartmental Infrastructure & Operations team, adopting an agile way of working.
Regional Offices and Affiliates:
- Design and oversee installations of data facilities and telecom connections in expansion locations.
- Collaborate with IT support, Physical Security, and Facilities staff to manage data centers according to local regulations and cultural contexts.
Your Experience:
- B.S. in Computer Science or a related discipline with 5-7 years of experience in the data center environment.
- Demonstrated leadership expertise.
- In-depth knowledge of managing a multi-system Operations environment.
- Familiarity with network server gear, Storage Area Networks, Uninterruptible Power Supplies, generators, air handlers, and environmental management systems.
- Understanding of ITA/IEEE/BICSI cabling standards and ASHRAE/NFPA/NEC guidelines for data and technical spaces.
- Strong interpersonal, customer service, communication, organizational, and attention to detail skills.
- Ability to obtain a valid US Passport and meet the requirements for obtaining Business Visas for travel to all current and potential foundation Regional Offices and Affiliates.
*Must be able to legally work in the country where this position is located without visa sponsorship.
#LI-SC2
The salary range for this role is $127,400 to $191,200 USD. We recognize high-wage market differences in Seattle and Washington D.C., where our offices are located. The range for this role in these locations is $138,900 to $208,300 USD. As a mission-driven organization, we strive to balance competitive pay with our mission. New hires salaries are typically between the range minimum and the salary range midpoint. Actual placement in the range will depend on a candidateโs job-related skills, experience, and expertise, as evaluated during the interview process.
Hiring Requirements
As part of our standard hiring process for new employees, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background check.
Candidate Accommodations
If you require assistance due to a disability in the application or recruitment process, please submit a request here.
Inclusion Statement
We are dedicated to the belief that all lives have equal value. We strive for a global and cultural workplace that supports ever greater diversity, equity, and inclusion โ of voices, ideas, and approaches โ and we support this diversity through all our employment practices.
All applicants and employees who are drawn to serve our mission will enjoy equality of opportunity and fair treatment without regard to race, color, age, religion, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and prior protected activity.
- Ability to obtain a valid US Passport and meet the requirements for obtaining Business Visas for travel to all current and potential foundation Regional Offices and Affiliates.
- Strong interpersonal, customer service, communication, organizational, and attention to detail skills.
- Understanding of ITA/IEEE/BICSI cabling standards and ASHRAE/NFPA/NEC guidelines for data and technical spaces.
- Familiarity with network server gear, Storage Area Networks, Uninterruptible Power Supplies, generators, air handlers, and environmental management systems.
- In-depth knowledge of managing a multi-system Operations environment.
- Demonstrated leadership expertise.
- B.S. in Computer Science or a related discipline with 5-7 years of experience in the data center environment.
- Be an integral part of the Interdepartmental Infrastructure & Operations team, adopting an agile way of working.
- Modernize Data Centers while applying industry advancements and a focus on hybrid infrastructure.
- Manage external vendors conducting work within foundation data spaces (electricians, cabling, HVAC, security).
- Conduct business analysis to work efficiently with other foundation groups, translating needs and issues into functional requirements, technology solutions, and project plans.
- Utilize in-depth knowledge of co-location and self-hosting infrastructure and services to evaluate and negotiate potential data center co-location spaces.
- Establish and maintain excellent working relationships with vendors.
- Train, develop, and oversee team members involved in data space deployments, build-outs, and moves.
- Identify and resolve recurring problems, developing new techniques to enhance operating environments.
- Serve as the lead technical resource for any work effort or project related to data center expansions or new construction projects.
- Engage in capacity planning by monitoring and analyzing data space electrical power demand and equipment cooling load to forecast equipment growth capabilities.
- Implement and maintain data and cabling standards across all foundation spaces.
- Review and approve hardware installation plans within data spaces and building demarcation points to ensure compliance with physical requirements (space, rack mount, power, cooling, etc.). Inspect hardware installations upon completion.