Job Description & Details
Honestly, this is a hands‑on role in a data center in Boardman, Oregon. You’ll be the go‑to person for fixing servers, desktops and board‑level hardware, and you’ll need enough networking know‑how to keep the racks talking. It’s a solid entry‑to‑mid‑level gig for anyone who likes to roll up their sleeves.
What You'll Actually Be Doing
You’ll spend most of the day running diagnostics on rack‑mounted servers, swapping out failed blades or drive bays, and re‑imaging desktops that come in for repair. Expect to maintain an inventory of spare parts, document every incident in the ticketing system, and coordinate with the networking crew when a connectivity issue looks like a hardware fault. The job isn’t just “replace a bad fan” – you’ll also be called on to troubleshoot power distribution problems and keep the cooling infrastructure humming.
The Core Tech Stack
The shop floor is filled with Dell PowerEdge and HPE ProLiant servers, a mix of Windows and Linux OSes for health checks, and Cisco or Juniper switches for the basic networking layer. You’ll need to be comfortable with BIOS/UEFI settings, RAID controller configs, and using tools like iLO/iDRAC for out‑of‑band management. A solid grasp of TCP/IP, VLAN tagging, and simple cable‑tracing is essential because the data center’s uptime hinges on those low‑level connections.
Interview Expectations
One likely question: “A server powers on but never reaches POST – walk me through your diagnostic flow.” They’re hunting for a methodical approach – power‑supply verification, POST beep code interpretation, and fallback to minimal hardware boot. Another: “Two racks can’t communicate over a VLAN; how do you isolate the problem?” Expect them to probe your understanding of switch port configs, VLAN tagging, and how to use a packet sniffer or loopback test to pinpoint the fault.
Application Advice
Tailor your resume to echo the exact phrasing from the posting: highlight “hardware troubleshooting (servers/desktops/computer boards)”, “basic networking knowledge”, and “self‑starter mindset”. Sprinkle in “data center operations”, “server maintenance”, and “relocation willing” to get past the ATS. If you’ve logged hours on iLO/iDRAC, RAID rebuilds, or cable‑management projects, put those details front‑and‑center – they’ll signal you’ve already lived the day‑to‑day grind this role demands.