Lead Data Center Technician

We are currently looking for a Lead Data Center Technician to join our team. Reporting to the Technical Services Manager, the Lead Data Center Technician will support IREN network infrastructure and customer IT infrastructure in a leading-edge data center facility. The role will oversee a shift team of data center technicians who respond to customer requests for support. They will be responsible for the safety, security, and reliability of people and tools supporting customer-owned equipment. The ideal candidate will have 3-5+ years of data center IT operations experience; they will be a self-starter and can express themselves clearly in both written and spoken forms. Experience working with high powered computing systems is a huge plus

Responsibilities

The Lead Data Center Technician will focus on the following as well as other job-related duties and/or projects as assigned.

· Oversee daily operations of the HPC data center, including customer smart hands request queue, infrastructure system performance, network equipment uptime, and physical infrastructure availability.

· Lead, mentor, and schedule a team of data center technicians, ensuring consistent performance, clear communication, and ongoing development through training and coaching.

· Act as the primary escalation point for technical issues and team-related matters, coordinating with internal stakeholders to ensure efficient resolution and service delivery.

· Promote and enforce a strong safety culture by ensuring compliance with all safety protocols, conducting regular audits [and drills, and leading incident investigations] and corrective actions.

· Responsible for IT hardware installation, fiber cable testing, troubleshooting, compliance, and performance monitoring to ensure high-density computing environments operate at peak efficiency.

· Support the maintenance, optimization, and security of the colocation facility leveraging liquid-to-chip cooling technology and the latest fiber-optic infrastructure.

· Coordinate with vendors and utilize reporting and automation tools to improve operational workflows.

· Document procedures, system configurations, and troubleshooting guides to ensure operational continuity and knowledge transfer.

· Respond to escalated incidents, execute root cause analysis, and implement long-term solutions to prevent recurrence.

· Maintain accurate inventory records for all HPC hardware and associated components.

Requirements

Desired Skills, Qualifications and Competencies include:

· 3-5+ years of data center IT operations experience

· Bachelor’s degree in a technical field is preferred but not required.

· Prior experience and knowledge of direct-to-chip liquid cooling systems and integration into high-density colocation data centers a huge plus.

· Proven experience leading or supervising data center or technical operations teams in a high-performance culture, including shift scheduling, performance management, and mentoring in a high-uptime environment

· Demonstrated knowledge of safety standards and regulatory compliance

· Fiber Cable Testing & Patching – Experience with fiber-optic cable certification, optical loss testing, and OTDR analysis. Experience using BERT on SONET equipment a plus.

· Infrastructure – Experience working with liquid-cooled server racks, rear door heat exchangers, cooling distribution units, and supporting network cabling and switches.

· Troubleshooting & Problem-Solving – Experience troubleshooting server hardware and storage systems, capable of identifying fiber-optic signal loss, and network connectivity issues.

· Data Center Operations – Managing power, cooling, airflow, and fiber-optic infrastructure to ensure efficiency in critical systems.

· Security & Compliance – Familiarity with industry regulations, environmental standards, and cybersecurity protocols for critical data center facilities.

· Vendor Coordination – work with hardware OEMs and third party service providers to coordinate RMA replacements, troubleshoot liquid cooling systems, repair power shelves, and replace fiber-optic transceivers.

· Automation & Monitoring – Utilizing AI-driven monitoring tools to track thermal performance, fiber-optic signal integrity, and system health.

· Emergency Response – respond to customer escalated IT incidents, server and network equipment failures, network provider outages, and maintain and document recovery procedures. Participate in the root cause analysis (RCA) and implement improvements.

· Certifications that could make this role effective: Comptia+, Linux Essentials, BICSI or TIA-942, Data Center professional certifications.

Key Attributes:

· Strong understanding of HPC systems, server hardware, storage arrays, networking, and operating systems.

· Proven ability to lead a team, delegate tasks, mentor junior technicians, and oversee project execution.

· Detail-oriented focus, ensuring systems are both robust and efficient.

· Quick and effective at diagnosing and resolving hardware, software, and connectivity issues in a high-pressure environment.

Other important requirements:

· Pre-employment screening, including background check and substance testing may be required according to company policies.

· Must provide own steel-toed work boots; other PPE will be supplied.

· Must be able to reliably commute to the work site daily or have plans to relocate before starting work.

· Must be able to lift up to 49 lbs.

· A clear Criminal Record Check is required.

This role requires availability for a 4-on-4-off rotational shift schedule including day and night shifts. Candidates must be comfortable working overnight and maintaining productivity during off-peak hours

Benefits

• The hourly rate of pay range for this position is $45-48/hour 
• Total package may be inclusive of a night shift premium for rotational shift positions
• Relocation assistance (as appliable and based on successful candidate circumstances

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage – 100% company paid for employees and dependents
• Company-paid life and disability insurance
• Voluntary life and critical illness coverage available
• Employee Assistance Program and virtual health care platform 

• RRSP with company match
• Voluntary TFSA

• Opportunities for advancement and internal mobility
• Training and personal development opportunities

• Company events and team-building activities

Podtech Data Centers Inc., the employing entity and proud member of the IREN Group is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to creating an inclusive workplace. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.  

By applying for this position and submitting your resume and application materials, you consent to the processing of your personal information in accordance with our Job Applicant Privacy Statement available on our website at www.iren.com.