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Data Center Engineer Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Introl

Data Center Technician

Detroit, MI · On-site

$30 - $36/hr

About Detroit Detroit's data center market serves the automotive industry's growing AI and ... Our network of 1,000+ field engineers operates globally, tackling the most complex deployments in ...

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All JobsData Center Engineer JobsData Center Engineer Jobs in Michigan

Data Center Engineer information

See Michigan salary details

$44.9K

$128.5K

$171.7K

How much do data center engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for data center engineer in Michigan is $128,526.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,200.00 and $170,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Data Center Engineer do?

A Data Center Engineer is responsible for designing, maintaining, and troubleshooting the hardware and infrastructure of data centers. Their work involves installing servers, managing network systems, ensuring optimal cooling and power, and monitoring system performance. They play a critical role in keeping data centers operational, secure, and efficient, supporting the IT needs of organizations. Data Center Engineers often collaborate with IT, security, and facilities teams to ensure 24/7 uptime and to plan for future growth.

What does a data centre engineer do?

A data center engineer is responsible for designing, maintaining, and managing the infrastructure of data centers, including servers, networking equipment, power supplies, and cooling systems. They troubleshoot hardware and software issues, ensure system security, and often work with monitoring tools and certifications to optimize data center performance and reliability.

What is the difference between Data Center Engineer vs Network Engineer?

AspectData Center EngineerNetwork Engineer
CertificationsCompTIA Server+, Cisco CCNA, Data Center-specific certificationsCCNA, CCNP, Cisco certifications
Work EnvironmentData centers, server rooms, hardware-focusedNetwork infrastructure, routing, switching environments
ResponsibilitiesDesign, maintain, and troubleshoot data center hardware and infrastructureDesign, implement, and manage network systems and connectivity

While both roles require networking knowledge and certifications, Data Center Engineers focus on physical infrastructure, servers, and hardware within data centers. Network Engineers primarily work on network design, configuration, and troubleshooting of network systems. Understanding the hardware environment is key for Data Center Engineers, whereas Network Engineers concentrate on network connectivity and protocols.

Can I make 200K as a data engineer?

Data Center Engineers typically earn lower salaries than data engineers, with median salaries ranging from $70,000 to $120,000 annually depending on experience and location. Reaching a $200,000 salary usually requires advanced skills, certifications, and significant experience, often in senior or specialized roles within the field.

What are some common challenges faced by Data Center Engineers, and how can they be managed on the job?

Data Center Engineers often encounter challenges such as maintaining uptime during hardware failures, managing rapid scaling demands, and ensuring strong physical and cybersecurity. These issues require quick troubleshooting skills, familiarity with redundancy protocols, and proactive monitoring of systems. Effective communication and collaboration with IT, facilities, and security teams are also crucial to address incidents efficiently and minimize downtime. Staying updated with evolving technologies and best practices helps engineers anticipate and mitigate potential risks.

What engineers make $200,000 a year?

Senior data center engineers with extensive experience, specialized skills in network infrastructure, and relevant certifications such as Cisco or VMware can earn $200,000 or more annually. High-level roles often require advanced knowledge of data center operations, virtualization, and security, along with leadership responsibilities.

What engineers make $500,000 a year?

Highly experienced data center engineers with specialized skills in network infrastructure, security, and large-scale systems management can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $500,000 annually, especially in senior or executive roles. Such compensation often includes bonuses, stock options, or profit sharing and typically requires advanced certifications and extensive industry experience.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Data Center Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Data Center Engineer, you need a solid background in IT infrastructure, networking, and hardware maintenance, often supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with server management tools, virtualization platforms (like VMware), and certifications such as CompTIA Server+ or Cisco CCNA are typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication help you excel in this role. These skills ensure reliable data center operations, minimize downtime, and support the critical IT needs of the organization.

What Is a Data Center Engineer?

A data center engineer’s duties are to design, implement, and monitor information technology systems at a data center. A data center engineer must be familiar with a variety of IT hardware, such as servers, cables, power systems, and cooling equipment, needed to maintain the physical safety of an IT facility, which includes fire safety. Their job is to set up the infrastructure needed to connect servers and hard drives together, and be familiar with the capacity of the technology. After setting up IT systems, they are responsible for system monitoring, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

More about Data Center Engineer jobs
What are popular job titles related to Data Center Engineer jobs in Michigan? For Data Center Engineer jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Data Center Engineer jobs in Michigan look for? The top searched job categories for Data Center Engineer jobs in Michigan are:
What cities in Michigan are hiring for Data Center Engineer jobs? Cities in Michigan with the most Data Center Engineer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Data Center Engineer jobs in MI? For Data Center Engineer jobs in MI, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Data Center Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Data Center Engineer job openings in Michigan as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $128,526 per year, or $61.8 per hour.

Application Engineer, Data Center Hardware

Utilidata

Ann Arbor, MI • On-site

$175K - $245K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 21 days ago

Job description

Utilidata is a fast-growing NVIDIA-backed AI company enabling AI data centers to dynamically orchestrate power and unlock more compute capacity from existing energy infrastructure. For over a decade, we have applied AI to the electric grid - bringing real-time visibility and power-flow control to complex energy infrastructure. Our Karman platform, built on a custom NVIDIA module, brings that same capability to AI data centers, giving operators a way to better use the power already available to them.
We are looking for an Application Engineer, Data Center Hardware to own the electrical power integration surface between Karman and customer data center environments. This person will design and validate rack-level power distribution, redundancy, and sequencing configurations, and lead the installation procedures that get Karman running reliably in production. The role requires solid working knowledge of rack-level networking to coordinate with customer network teams and support installation-time connectivity, but architecting network solutions is not a primary responsibility of this role. We are looking for candidates who are technically deep in electrical power systems, comfortable owning ambiguity, and energized by close, hands-on customer engagement. This is a founding role in a new Application Engineering function. Because the integration surface is still being defined, this role carries real influence over the processes, tools, and standards that future engineers will build on.
Responsibilities
  • Design and validate electrical power integration, including PDUs, power shelves, redundancy architectures, and power sequencing
  • Build and validate complete rack configurations in Utilidata's lab (PDUs, power shelves, TOR switches, servers, and Karman hardware) before customer deployment, with primary focus on power system design and validation
  • Design and own the installation checklists and procedures that guide electrical power integration at customer sites; ensure they are precise, repeatable, and executable by field teams
  • Execute installation checklists and sign off on electrical power integration during initial customer deployments
  • Debug rack-level issues spanning power, thermal, and mechanical domains, both in lab validation and at customer sites
  • Support rack-level network connectivity as part of installation - applying VLAN assignments and switch port configurations to specifications provided by customer network engineering teams - without owning network architecture or design
  • Coordinate with customer network engineering teams to align power integration work with existing network topologies and requirements
  • Lead customer-facing technical calls and on-site visits with data center operations teams to gather electrical power integration requirements
  • Create and maintain integration artifacts, including installation checklists, power validation checklists, configuration guides, KPI trackers, and after-action reports
  • Support the TechOps team with electrical power expertise for escalated production incidents tied to initial installation
  • Take an AI-first approach to building the Application Engineering function's repeatable processes, templates, and documentation
  • Serve as the feedback loop between customer deployments and core engineering, translating field integration learnings into product improvements
  • Participate in on-call rotation to provide 24x7 customer support

Minimum Qualifications
  • 6+ years of hands-on experience in data center network engineering, electrical power systems, or rack-level infrastructure integration
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a closely related field OR equivalent training and on the job experience
  • Deep working knowledge of rack-level networking, including switching, VLANs, and network configuration across varied customer topologies
  • Strong understanding of electrical power distribution at the rack level, including PDUs, power shelves, redundancy architectures, and power sequencing
  • Demonstrated ability to configure rack-level infrastructure and integrate new hardware into existing data center environments using industry-standard tools, including TOR switch CLIs, SSH or serial console access, Wireshark, PDU management consoles, and NetBox or equivalent DCIM tooling
  • Experience designing and executing installation and validation procedures, with the ability to own checklist creation and sign-off
  • Ability to debug rack-level issues spanning power, thermal, mechanical, and networking domains
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to translate technical requirements clearly for both engineering teams and data center operations stakeholders
  • High learning agility and the ability to ramp quickly in a fast-moving, early-stage product environment
  • Willingness to travel periodically for customer site visits, initial installations, and deployment validation

Enhanced Qualifications (Nice to Have)
  • Experience with out-of-band management interfaces (e.g., IPMI, Redfish, iDRAC) for rack equipment configuration and monitoring
  • Familiarity with power quality requirements, power sequencing, and electrical considerations specific to data center environments
  • Understanding of thermal and mechanical integration considerations at the rack level
  • Prior experience creating and owning field installation procedures or technician-facing documentation
  • Experience working in a customer-facing or field-deployment engineering role

Salary range: $175,000 to $245,000 base compensation depending on experience and level, plus stock options. This role spans multiple job levels; final level and compensation will be determined based on the candidate's experience.
Location: This position can be performed remotely from within the United States. Preference will be given to candidates based in or around the Bay Area, CA. Periodic travel to customer data center sites and the company's HQ in Ann Arbor, MI is required.
Our Commitments
Utilidata values the diversity of our team. We provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy or childbirth, sexual orientation, genetics, genetic information, marital status, or status as a covered veteran or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, and local laws.
We are committed to:
  • Creating a diverse and inclusive workplace that is welcoming, supportive, affirming, and respectful
  • Empowering employees to solve problems and work together to make a difference
  • Providing mentorship and growth opportunities as part of a collaborative team
  • A flexible work environment with flexible paid time off
  • Competitive compensation and benefits, including health, dental, vision, and employer-match 401(k)

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