Data Center Operations Engineer

ServiceNow
Full_timeGeneva, Switzerland

📍 Job Overview

  • Job Title: Data Center Operations Engineer
  • Company: ServiceNow
  • Location: Geneva, Switzerland
  • Job Type: On-site, Full-time
  • Category: Infrastructure & Operations
  • Date Posted: August 1, 2025
  • Experience Level: Mid-Senior level (5-10 years)

🚀 Role Summary

  • Manage and optimize data center operations, ensuring high availability and performance
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive process improvement and automation
  • Oversee vendor relationships and ensure compliance with policies and SLAs
  • 📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong background in data center operations and a solid understanding of critical infrastructure. Familiarity with DCIM (Data Center Infrastructure Management) tools and ITIL processes would be beneficial.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

  • 📝 Enhancement Note: The following responsibilities are outlined in the job description and have been structured for better readability.

  • 🔑 Key Responsibilities:

    • Prioritize and assign trouble tickets to data center engineers
    • Manage the performance of data center operations across Switzerland
    • Ensure effective day-to-day management, including queue management, shift arrangement, and hardware logistics
    • Serve as a subject matter expert in data center operations, especially in DCIM integrations
    • Monitor and report on operational KPIs and metrics to peer teams
    • Inspire and guide improvement in team processes, technology innovation, and automation
    • Manage large-scale events and incident management, communicating with executive stakeholders
    • Manage and build workflows for data center operations
    • Recommend, document, and oversee policies and procedures to meet industry best practices and required SLAs
    • Maintain the on-call schedule, coordinating absences and vacations
    • Be passionate about improving the quality and quantity of services provided and continuously strive to enhance the customer experience

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field. Relevant work experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

Experience: 4+ years of experience in data center operations management

Required Skills:

  • Proven experience in managing data center operations, including hardware installation, configuration, optimization, and maintenance
  • Holistic experience in overseeing systems performance, monitoring equipment, and managing vendor relationships
  • Strong analytical skills, with the ability to multi-task several unrelated issues
  • General documentation skills, with a particular emphasis on technical processes and standards
  • Knowledge and experience in ITIL process methodologies (a plus)
  • Proven ability to function in ambiguous situations with a record of success
  • Excellent communication, customer focus, problem-solving, conflict management, time management, and interpersonal skills

Preferred Skills:

  • Experience with DCIM tools
  • Familiarity with sustainability and compliance standards
  • Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

📝 Enhancement Note: As this role focuses on data center operations, a traditional web portfolio is not required. However, candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with data center infrastructure, vendor management, and process improvement projects.

Project Case Studies:

  • Prepare case studies demonstrating your experience in managing data center operations, highlighting your approach to problem-solving, process improvement, and stakeholder communication
  • Include any relevant metrics or success stories that showcase your impact on data center performance and availability

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: CHF 90,000 - 120,000 per year (based on market research for mid-senior level data center operations roles in Geneva)

Benefits:

  • Competitive salary and benefits package
  • Global well-being days and flexible working culture
  • Parental leave programs, childcare, and caregiving benefits
  • Learning experience platform and tuition reimbursement program
  • Global cross-functional mentoring program
  • Team building activities, employee belonging groups, volunteering, and community outreach programs

Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week, with on-call rotations and potential overtime during large-scale events or incidents

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Software as a Service (SaaS), Enterprise IT Service Management

Company Size: Large (8,100+ employees globally)

Founded: 2004

Team Structure:

  • The data center operations team is responsible for managing and maintaining ServiceNow's global data center infrastructure
  • The team works closely with cross-functional teams, including IT, Facilities, and Vendor Management, to ensure high availability and performance
  • The Geneva data center is one of ServiceNow's primary facilities, supporting critical business operations

Development Methodology:

  • ServiceNow follows ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) best practices for data center management
  • The company emphasizes continuous improvement, automation, and innovation in data center operations

Company Website: https://www.servicenow.com/

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Web Technology Career Level: Mid-Senior level data center operations engineer, responsible for managing and optimizing data center infrastructure and ensuring high availability and performance

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Data Center Operations Manager and collaborates with cross-functional teams, including IT, Facilities, and Vendor Management

Technical Impact: The data center operations engineer plays a critical role in ensuring the availability and performance of ServiceNow's global data center infrastructure, directly impacting the company's ability to deliver cloud-based services to its customers

Growth Opportunities:

  • Technical Growth: Deepen expertise in data center infrastructure, DCIM tools, and ITIL processes
  • Leadership Growth: Develop team management and architecture decision-making skills, with the potential to advance to a data center operations management role
  • Career Transition: Explore opportunities in related fields, such as cloud architecture, IT service management, or vendor management

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site, with a focus on collaboration and cross-functional teamwork

Office Location(s): Geneva, Switzerland

Workspace Context:

  • The Geneva data center is a state-of-the-art facility, designed to meet the highest standards of security, redundancy, and efficiency
  • The data center operations team works in a collaborative environment, with access to the latest tools and technologies for data center management
  • The team interacts regularly with cross-functional teams, including IT, Facilities, and Vendor Management, to ensure high availability and performance

Work Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week, with on-call rotations and potential overtime during large-scale events or incidents

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

  1. Phone/Video Screen: A brief conversation to assess communication skills and cultural fit (30 minutes)
  2. Technical Deep Dive: A detailed discussion of your data center operations experience, focusing on problem-solving, process improvement, and stakeholder communication (60 minutes)
  3. On-site/Video Final Interview: A final interview with the hiring manager and other team members to assess your fit for the role and the team (60-90 minutes)

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Prepare case studies demonstrating your experience in managing data center operations, highlighting your approach to problem-solving, process improvement, and stakeholder communication
  • Include any relevant metrics or success stories that showcase your impact on data center performance and availability

Technical Challenge Preparation:

  • Familiarize yourself with ServiceNow's data center infrastructure and ITIL processes
  • Brush up on your knowledge of data center best practices, including hardware installation, configuration, optimization, and maintenance
  • Prepare for questions about your experience with vendor management, process improvement, and stakeholder communication

ATS Keywords: Data Center Operations, Data Center Management, ITIL, DCIM, Infrastructure, Vendor Management, Process Improvement, Problem Solving, Stakeholder Communication, Data Center Engineer, IT Service Management

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Data Center Infrastructure:

  • Hardware: Dell, HP, Cisco, Arista, Juniper, etc.
  • Storage: NetApp, EMC, HPE, etc.
  • Power: APC, Eaton, etc.
  • Cooling: Liebert, Stulz, etc.
  • Security: Biometric access, CCTV, etc.

DCIM Tools:

  • Preferred: Sunbird, Nlyte, Data Center Knowledge, etc.
  • Acceptable: Schneider Electric, Siemens, etc.

IT Service Management:

  • Preferred: ServiceNow, BMC Remedy, HP Service Manager, etc.
  • Acceptable: JIRA Service Desk, Zendesk, etc.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Data Center Operations Values:

  • High Availability: Prioritize data center uptime and minimize service disruptions
  • Performance Optimization: Continuously improve data center efficiency and reduce costs
  • Process Improvement: Streamline data center operations and drive automation
  • Collaboration: Work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure high availability and performance
  • Customer Focus: Understand and address customer needs, both internal and external

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-functional Integration: Work closely with IT, Facilities, and Vendor Management teams to ensure high availability and performance
  • Code Review Culture: Regularly review and update data center processes and best practices
  • Knowledge Sharing: Share expertise and learn from colleagues to drive continuous improvement

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site, with a focus on collaboration and cross-functional teamwork

Office Location(s): Geneva, Switzerland

Workspace Context:

  • The Geneva data center is a state-of-the-art facility, designed to meet the highest standards of security, redundancy, and efficiency
  • The data center operations team works in a collaborative environment, with access to the latest tools and technologies for data center management
  • The team interacts regularly with cross-functional teams, including IT, Facilities, and Vendor Management, to ensure high availability and performance

Work Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week, with on-call rotations and potential overtime during large-scale events or incidents

📝 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

  • Data Center Infrastructure: Describe your experience with data center hardware, storage, power, cooling, and security systems. How have you ensured high availability and performance in your previous roles?
  • DCIM Tools: Discuss your experience with DCIM tools and their role in data center management. How have you used DCIM tools to optimize data center infrastructure and improve operational efficiency?
  • IT Service Management: Explain your understanding of ITIL processes and their application in data center management. How have you used ITIL to drive process improvement and ensure compliance with policies and SLAs?

Company & Culture Questions:

  • Data Center Operations: How do you approach data center operations management, and what makes you an effective data center operations engineer?
  • Teamwork: Describe your experience working with cross-functional teams, including IT, Facilities, and Vendor Management. How have you collaborated to ensure high availability and performance in data center infrastructure?
  • Problem-Solving: Share an example of a complex data center challenge you've faced and how you approached it. What was the outcome, and what did you learn from the experience?

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Case Studies: Prepare case studies demonstrating your experience in managing data center operations, highlighting your approach to problem-solving, process improvement, and stakeholder communication
  • Metrics: Include any relevant metrics or success stories that showcase your impact on data center performance and availability
  • Storytelling: Use storytelling techniques to engage the interview panel and bring your data center operations experience to life

🛠 Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

  • Data Center Infrastructure: Stay up-to-date with the latest data center hardware, storage, power, cooling, and security systems. Continuously improve your knowledge of data center best practices and industry trends
  • DCIM Tools: Deepen your expertise in DCIM tools and their application in data center management. Explore new tools and technologies to drive process improvement and automation
  • IT Service Management: Enhance your understanding of ITIL processes and their application in data center management. Seek out opportunities to drive process improvement and ensure compliance with policies and SLAs

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Technical Skills: Pursue certifications and training in data center operations, DCIM tools, and IT service management to deepen your expertise and advance your career
  • Leadership Skills: Seek out mentorship and coaching opportunities to develop your team management and architecture decision-making skills
  • Career Progression: Explore opportunities to transition into a data center operations management role or pursue related fields, such as cloud architecture, IT service management, or vendor management

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

  • Data Center Infrastructure: Describe your experience with data center hardware, storage, power, cooling, and security systems. How have you ensured high availability and performance in your previous roles?
  • DCIM Tools: Discuss your experience with DCIM tools and their role in data center management. How have you used DCIM tools to optimize data center infrastructure and improve operational efficiency?
  • IT Service Management: Explain your understanding of ITIL processes and their application in data center management. How have you used ITIL to drive process improvement and ensure compliance with policies and SLAs?

Company & Culture Questions:

  • Data Center Operations: How do you approach data center operations management, and what makes you an effective data center operations engineer?
  • Teamwork: Describe your experience working with cross-functional teams, including IT, Facilities, and Vendor Management. How have you collaborated to ensure high availability and performance in data center infrastructure?
  • Problem-Solving: Share an example of a complex data center challenge you've faced and how you approached it. What was the outcome, and what did you learn from the experience?

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Case Studies: Prepare case studies demonstrating your experience in managing data center operations, highlighting your approach to problem-solving, process improvement, and stakeholder communication
  • Metrics: Include any relevant metrics or success stories that showcase your impact on data center performance and availability
  • Storytelling: Use storytelling techniques to engage the interview panel and bring your data center operations experience to life

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this data center operations engineer position at ServiceNow:

  1. Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your data center operations experience, focusing on problem-solving, process improvement, and stakeholder communication
  2. Prepare Your Portfolio: Prepare case studies demonstrating your experience in managing data center operations, highlighting your approach to problem-solving, process improvement, and stakeholder communication
  3. Review the Job Description: Thoroughly review the job description and be prepared to discuss your fit for the role and the team
  4. Practice Interview Questions: Prepare for technical and behavioral interview questions, focusing on your data center operations experience and problem-solving skills
  5. Research the Company: Familiarize yourself with ServiceNow's data center infrastructure, ITIL processes, and company culture to demonstrate your enthusiasm and commitment to the role

Application Requirements

Candidates should have 4+ years of experience in data center operations management and a solid understanding of critical mechanical and electrical infrastructure. Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills are essential, along with a passion for sustainability.