Lead Data Center Engineer

DTCC Candidate Experience Site
Full_timeDallas, United States

📍 Job Overview

  • Job Title: Lead Data Center Engineer
  • Company: DTCC
  • Location: Dallas, Texas, United States
  • Job Type: Full time
  • Category: Infrastructure & Operations
  • Date Posted: June 3, 2025
  • Experience Level: 5-10 years
  • Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days onsite, 2 days remote)

🚀 Role Summary

  • Lead and manage DTCC's data center complex, ensuring optimal performance and reliability of critical IT infrastructure.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to plan, execute, and oversee data center projects and expansions.
  • Provide technical expertise and consulting services for data center operations, vendor management, and risk mitigation.
  • Drive service excellence, identify cost savings, and enhance value from IT hardware and data center locations.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a proactive, autonomous professional with strong multitasking skills to support multiple teams and initiatives effectively.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

  • 🏢 Data Center Infrastructure Management: Oversee installation, maintenance, and operation of physical hardware infrastructure, fiber and copper infrastructure, and physical rack and stack of IT hardware within data centers and critical processing areas.
  • 🔗 Network Circuits & Resiliency: Manage network circuits, software, and hardware infrastructure platforms that provide resiliency, including storage replication, virtualization, orchestration, and network tools.
  • 📊 Project Planning & Oversight: Develop and maintain project plans, presentations, training materials, and reporting for internal and cross-departmental programs. Manage activities of key consultants to meet IT demands.
  • 🔐 Vendor Management & Access Control: Coordinate data center access, vendor escorts, and decommissioning of retired IT assets. Perform testing and commissioning for new facilities and critical systems.
  • 📈 Risk Management & Cost Analysis: Identify and manage critical paths, track risk, issues, and customer concerns. Support spend management and cost analysis to mitigate risks and enhance value.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities of this role are not limited to the details above. The Lead Data Center Engineer may be required to perform other duties as assigned or required by the organization.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent experience in a related field.

Experience: Minimum of 6 years of related experience managing installations and vendors at a financial data center.

Required Skills:

  • Proven experience in data center management, with a focus on physical plant and infrastructure.
  • Strong project planning, oversight, and technical review skills.
  • Familiarity with ITIL aspects, including ServiceNow change, incident, and problem management.
  • Knowledge of fiber and copper infrastructure supporting physical data center environments.
  • Experience with data center deployments, including mainframe, distributed, and network equipment.
  • Excellent communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills.
  • Strong ethical behavior and commitment to risk mitigation.

Preferred Skills:

  • Familiarity with ServiceNow for supporting a service catalog to clients across IT teams.
  • Experience with IT hardware configuration and management.
  • Knowledge of data center design, power, and cooling systems.
  • Familiarity with data center security best practices and compliance standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated, proficiency in using relevant tools and software, such as ServiceNow, is expected for this role. Additionally, experience in a financial services environment may be beneficial but is not strictly required.

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • Case studies or projects demonstrating data center management, infrastructure optimization, and risk mitigation strategies.
  • Examples of successful project planning, execution, and stakeholder management in data center environments.
  • Documentation showcasing technical expertise in data center infrastructure, network circuits, and resiliency strategies.
  • Testimonials or recommendations from colleagues or superiors highlighting strong collaboration, communication, and leadership skills.

Technical Documentation:

  • Detailed project plans, presentations, and reports demonstrating strong organizational and communication skills.
  • Technical documentation or guides outlining data center infrastructure, network circuits, and resiliency strategies.
  • Records of testing, commissioning, and decommissioning processes, including retired IT assets disposal.

📝 Enhancement Note: As this role focuses on data center management and infrastructure, a portfolio showcasing hands-on experience with physical hardware, network circuits, and resiliency strategies is crucial. Include any relevant certifications or training in data center management, ITIL, or related fields to demonstrate your expertise.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $120,000 - $160,000 per year (based on experience and location)

Benefits:

  • Competitive compensation, including base pay and annual incentive.
  • Comprehensive health and life insurance and well-being benefits, based on location.
  • Pension and retirement benefits.
  • Paid Time Off, Personal/Family Care, and other leaves of absence when needed to support physical, financial, and emotional well-being.
  • Flexible/hybrid work model (3 days onsite, 2 days remote).

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is indicative for roles at the same level within DTCC across all US locations. Actual salary is determined based on the role, location, individual experience, skills, and other considerations. DTCC is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity within its company. They do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services

Company Size: Large (over 5,000 employees)

Founded: 1975

Team Structure:

  • The Data Center Strategy & Operations (DCS&O) team provides support to network, storage, compute, and application development teams who deploy their environments into the data center complex.
  • The team is committed to driving service excellence, identifying cost savings, proactively managing/mitigating IT risks, and enhancing value from IT hardware and data center locations.
  • The Lead Data Center Engineer will support the DCS&O leadership team on all internal and cross-departmental programs, collaborating with key stakeholders such as Procurement, Finance, IT, and Third-Party Risk teams.

Development Methodology:

  • DTCC follows ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) best practices for IT service management, including ServiceNow for change, incident, and problem management.
  • The company emphasizes collaboration, continuous improvement, and risk mitigation in its data center operations.

Company Website: DTCC

📝 Enhancement Note: DTCC is a leading post-trade market infrastructure provider, delivering critical infrastructure, technology, and data solutions to the global financial services industry. The company's large size and extensive client base offer ample opportunities for professional growth and impact within the data center engineering role.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Data Center Engineering Career Level: The Lead Data Center Engineer role is a senior-level position, focusing on strategic planning, management, and oversight of data center infrastructure. This role requires a deep understanding of data center operations, network circuits, and resiliency strategies, as well as strong project management, stakeholder communication, and risk mitigation skills.

Reporting Structure: The Lead Data Center Engineer reports directly to the Head of Data Center Strategy & Operations and works closely with various IT teams, vendors, and other stakeholders to ensure optimal data center performance and reliability.

Technical Impact: This role has a significant technical influence on DTCC's data center infrastructure, network circuits, and resiliency strategies. The Lead Data Center Engineer's decisions and actions directly impact the performance, reliability, and security of critical IT systems and services.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of data center management, such as network infrastructure, power and cooling systems, or data center security.
  • Team Leadership: Develop leadership skills and transition into a management role, overseeing a team of data center engineers.
  • Architecture & Strategy: Expand into data center architecture and strategy, driving innovation and improvement in DTCC's data center infrastructure.

📝 Enhancement Note: DTCC's large size and extensive client base provide ample opportunities for professional growth and impact within the data center engineering role. The company's commitment to driving service excellence, identifying cost savings, and enhancing value from IT hardware and data center locations creates an ideal environment for a proactive, autonomous professional to thrive and advance their career.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: DTCC's office environment is collaborative and dynamic, fostering cross-functional teamwork and continuous learning. The company offers a flexible/hybrid work model, with employees working onsite for 3 days a week and remotely for 2 days.

Office Location(s): DTCC's global headquarters are located in New York, with additional offices in various financial hubs worldwide, including Dallas, Texas.

Workspace Context:

  • Collaborative Workspace: DTCC's offices feature open-plan workspaces, encouraging collaboration and communication among team members and across departments.
  • Technical Tools & Equipment: Employees have access to the latest tools and equipment, including multiple monitors, testing devices, and development tools tailored to their specific roles.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: DTCC fosters a culture of collaboration, with data center engineers working closely with network, storage, compute, and application development teams to deploy and maintain critical IT environments.

Work Schedule: DTCC offers a flexible/hybrid work model, with employees working onsite for 3 days a week (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and a third day unique to each team or employee) and remotely for 2 days. The company's core hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST, with some flexibility for employees to manage their time effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: DTCC's flexible/hybrid work model allows employees to balance their professional and personal lives more effectively. The company's commitment to fostering a collaborative and dynamic work environment creates an ideal setting for data center engineers to thrive and excel in their roles.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

  1. Phone or Video Screen: A brief conversation to assess communication skills, cultural fit, and basic qualifications for the role.
  2. Technical Deep Dive: A comprehensive discussion focused on data center management, network infrastructure, resiliency strategies, and project planning. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their portfolio, case studies, and technical expertise in detail.
  3. Behavioral & Situational Questions: Assess problem-solving skills, adaptability, and cultural fit through real-life scenarios and hypothetical situations.
  4. Final Interview: A meeting with the hiring manager or a panel of stakeholders to evaluate the candidate's overall fit for the role and the organization.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Highlight case studies or projects demonstrating successful data center management, infrastructure optimization, and risk mitigation strategies.
  • Include any relevant certifications or training in data center management, ITIL, or related fields to showcase your expertise.
  • Emphasize strong project planning, stakeholder management, and communication skills through detailed project plans, presentations, and reports.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

  • Brush up on data center management best practices, network infrastructure, and resiliency strategies.
  • Familiarize yourself with ITIL and ServiceNow, as these are essential tools for data center management at DTCC.
  • Prepare for behavioral and situational questions by reflecting on your past experiences and how you've handled challenges in data center environments.

ATS Keywords: [See the comprehensive list of web development and server administration-relevant keywords for resume optimization, organized by category at the end of this document.]

📝 Enhancement Note: DTCC's interview process is designed to assess the candidate's technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and cultural fit within the organization. By thoroughly preparing for each stage of the interview process and showcasing your relevant experience and skills, you'll increase your chances of securing the Lead Data Center Engineer role.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Data Center Infrastructure:

  • Physical Hardware: Racks, servers, storage systems, network switches, routers, and other IT equipment.
  • Network Circuits: Fiber and copper infrastructure, including backbone, distribution, and access layers.
  • Power & Cooling: Power distribution units (PDUs), uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems, and computer room air conditioning (CRAC) units.
  • Security: Biometric access controls, closed-circuit television (CCTV), and other physical security measures.

Network Infrastructure:

  • Routing & Switching: Cisco, Juniper, or other enterprise-grade network equipment.
  • Firewall & Security: Fortinet, Palo Alto Networks, or other industry-leading security solutions.
  • Load Balancing: F5, Citrix, or other application delivery controllers.

Storage Infrastructure:

  • SAN: EMC, NetApp, or other enterprise-class storage area network solutions.
  • NAS: QNAP, Synology, or other network-attached storage systems.
  • Cloud Storage: Amazon S3, Microsoft Azure Blob Storage, or other cloud-based storage services.

Virtualization & Orchestration:

  • Hypervisors: VMware vSphere, Microsoft Hyper-V, or other virtualization platforms.
  • Orchestration: Ansible, Puppet, or other automation and configuration management tools.

Monitoring & Management:

  • IT Service Management (ITSM): ServiceNow, BMC Remedy, or other ITSM platforms.
  • Monitoring Tools: Nagios, Zabbix, or other open-source monitoring solutions.
  • Log Management: ELK Stack (Elasticsearch, Logstash, Kibana), Splunk, or other log aggregation and analysis tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: Familiarity with DTCC's specific technology stack, including hardware, network, storage, virtualization, and monitoring tools, is essential for success in the Lead Data Center Engineer role. Candidates should highlight their relevant experience with these technologies in their resumes and portfolios.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Data Center Engineering Values:

  • Reliability: DTCC's data centers must maintain high availability and minimal downtime to ensure business continuity and customer satisfaction.
  • Resilience: Data center infrastructure must be designed to withstand and recover from various disruptions, such as power outages, natural disasters, and cybersecurity threats.
  • Efficiency: Data center operations should be optimized for maximum efficiency, minimizing waste and reducing costs without compromising performance or reliability.
  • Collaboration: Data center engineers must work closely with various IT teams, vendors, and stakeholders to ensure optimal data center performance and reliability.
  • Continuous Improvement: DTCC encourages a culture of continuous learning and improvement, with data center engineers regularly seeking new knowledge and best practices to enhance their skills and contribute to the organization's success.

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-Functional Integration: Data center engineers work closely with network, storage, compute, and application development teams to deploy and maintain critical IT environments.
  • Code Review & Peer Programming: DTCC encourages knowledge sharing and collaboration through code reviews, pair programming, and mentoring opportunities.
  • Knowledge Sharing: Data center engineers are encouraged to share their expertise and insights with colleagues, contributing to the organization's collective knowledge and skillset.

📝 Enhancement Note: DTCC's data center engineering team values collaboration, continuous learning, and improvement. Candidates should demonstrate strong communication, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills to thrive in this dynamic and supportive work environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

  • Data Center Expansion: Manage the expansion of DTCC's data center complex to support critical corporate work and growing client demands.
  • Network Infrastructure Optimization: Optimize network circuits, resiliency strategies, and performance to meet the evolving needs of DTCC's clients and internal teams.
  • Power & Cooling Efficiency: Implement energy-efficient power and cooling solutions to minimize waste and reduce costs without compromising data center performance or reliability.
  • Security & Compliance: Ensure data center infrastructure complies with relevant industry standards, regulations, and best practices, including data privacy, cybersecurity, and environmental sustainability.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of data center management, such as network infrastructure, power and cooling systems, or data center security.
  • Leadership Development: Develop leadership skills and transition into a management role, overseeing a team of data center engineers.
  • Architecture & Strategy: Expand into data center architecture and strategy, driving innovation and improvement in DTCC's data center infrastructure.

📝 Enhancement Note: DTCC's large size and extensive client base offer ample opportunities for professional growth and impact within the data center engineering role. The company's commitment to driving service excellence, identifying cost savings, and enhancing value from IT hardware and data center locations creates an ideal environment for a proactive, autonomous professional to thrive and advance their career.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

  • Data Center Infrastructure: Describe your experience with data center infrastructure, including physical hardware, network circuits, and power and cooling systems. How have you optimized data center performance and efficiency in previous roles?
  • Network Infrastructure: Discuss your familiarity with enterprise-grade network equipment, network protocols, and network security best practices. How have you designed, implemented, and managed network infrastructure in data center environments?
  • Project Planning & Management: Explain your approach to project planning, stakeholder management, and risk mitigation. Provide examples of successful data center projects you've managed, including their scope, timeline, and budget.
  • Vendor Management: Describe your experience working with vendors and managing data center projects. How have you ensured optimal performance, reliability, and cost-effectiveness in your vendor relationships?

Company & Culture Questions:

  • DTCC Culture: How do you align with DTCC's company values and culture? Describe a time when you demonstrated DTCC's core values in a professional setting.
  • Data Center Strategy: DTCC is committed to driving service excellence, identifying cost savings, and enhancing value from IT hardware and data center locations. How do you plan to contribute to these strategic objectives in your role as Lead Data Center Engineer?
  • Stakeholder Management: DTCC's data center engineering team works closely with various IT teams, vendors, and stakeholders. Describe your approach to stakeholder management and communication, and provide an example of a successful collaboration with diverse stakeholders in a data center project.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Case Studies: Highlight 2-3 case studies or projects demonstrating successful data center management, infrastructure optimization, and risk mitigation strategies. Include relevant data, charts, and visuals to illustrate your achievements and the impact of your work.
  • Technical Documentation: Showcase your technical expertise through detailed project plans, presentations, and reports. Include any relevant certifications or training in data center management, ITIL, or related fields to highlight your qualifications.
  • Behavioral & Situational Examples: Prepare for behavioral and situational questions by reflecting on your past experiences and how you've handled challenges in data center environments. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses and emphasize the outcomes of your actions.

📝 Enhancement Note: DTCC's interview process is designed to assess the candidate's technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and cultural fit within the organization. By thoroughly preparing for each stage of the interview process and showcasing your relevant experience and skills, you'll increase your chances of securing the Lead Data Center Engineer role.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Lead Data Center Engineer position at DTCC:

  1. Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your relevant experience and skills in data center management, network infrastructure, project planning, and stakeholder management. Include any relevant certifications or training in data center management, ITIL, or related fields.
  2. Prepare Your Portfolio: Showcase your technical expertise through case studies, project plans, presentations, and reports. Include any relevant visuals, data, or charts to illustrate your achievements and the impact of your work.
  3. Research DTCC: Familiarize yourself with DTCC's company values, culture, and strategic objectives. Prepare for company-specific questions and be ready to discuss how you align with DTCC's mission and vision.
  4. Practice Interview Questions: Review the technical and company-specific questions outlined in the interview preparation section. Practice your responses using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and emphasize the outcomes of your actions.
  5. Submit Your Application: Follow the application link provided and submit your tailored resume and prepared portfolio.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and web development/server administration industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.


Content Guidelines (IMPORTANT: Do not include this in the output)

Web Technology-Specific Focus:

  • Tailor every section specifically to data center management, network infrastructure, and server administration roles.
  • Include data center management best practices, network infrastructure design, and server administration methodologies.
  • Emphasize data center portfolio requirements, live project demonstrations, and user experience considerations for data center environments.
  • Address data center team dynamics, cross-functional collaboration with network, storage, compute, and application development teams.
  • Focus on data center career progression, emerging technology adoption, and technical specialization in data center management.

Quality Standards:

  • Ensure no content overlap between sections - each section must contain unique information.
  • Only include Enhancement Notes when making significant inferences about data center management, network infrastructure, or team structure.
  • Be comprehensive but concise, prioritizing actionable information over descriptive text.
  • Strategically distribute data center management and server administration-related keywords throughout all sections naturally.
  • Provide realistic salary ranges based on location, experience level, and data center management specialization.

Industry Expertise:

  • Include specific data center infrastructure, network protocols, and server administration tools relevant to the role.
  • Address data center career progression paths and technical leadership opportunities in data center management.
  • Provide tactical advice for data center portfolio development, live demonstrations, and project case studies.
  • Include data center-specific interview preparation and coding challenge guidance.
  • Emphasize data center resilience, efficiency, and user experience principles in data center environments.

Professional Standards:

  • Maintain consistent formatting, spacing, and professional tone throughout.
  • Use data center management and server administration industry terminology appropriately and accurately.
  • Include comprehensive benefits and growth opportunities relevant to data center management professionals.
  • Provide actionable insights that give data center management candidates a competitive advantage.
  • Focus on data center team culture, cross-functional collaboration, and user impact measurement in data center environments.

Technical Focus & Portfolio Emphasis:

  • Emphasize data center management best practices, network infrastructure design, and server administration methodologies.
  • Include specific portfolio requirements tailored to the data center management discipline and role level.
  • Address browser compatibility, accessibility standards, and user experience design principles in data center environments.
  • Focus on problem-solving methods, performance optimization, and scalable data center architecture.
  • Include technical presentation skills and stakeholder communication for data center projects.

Avoid:

  • Generic business jargon not relevant to data center management or server administration roles.
  • Placeholder text or incomplete sections.
  • Repetitive content across different sections.
  • Non-technical terminology unless relevant to the specific data center management role.
  • Marketing language unrelated to data center management, server administration, or user experience in data center environments.

Generate comprehensive, data center-focused content that serves as a valuable resource for data center management candidates seeking their next opportunity and preparing for technical interviews in the data center management industry.

Application Requirements

Candidates should have a minimum of 6 years of experience managing installations and vendors in a Financial Data Center. A bachelor's degree is preferred, along with familiarity with ITIL and data center deployments.