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Data Center Operator Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Principal Security Operations Center Manager

Saline, MI · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Global Physical Security (GPS) Data Center Operations Team is the primary interface with all ... Meets financial objectives by forecasting requirements, preparing the annual service, and operating ...

Sr. Security Operations Center Manager

Saline, MI · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Own the local SOC operating model for Shackelford, including alarm monitoring, camera verification ... Coordinate with GSOC, Security Systems, Data Center Operations, construction, guard force ...

Senior Data Center Support Services Technician

Saline, MI · On-site

$27.64 - $56.83/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Trains advance fix and repair techniques that align with corporate objectives and adheres to standard operating procedures (SOPs) and method of procedures (MOPs) for operational Data Center Change ...

Showing results 21-40

Data Center Operator information

How to become a data center operator?

To become a data center operator, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, along with technical skills related to electrical systems, networking, or IT. Relevant certifications such as CompTIA Server+ or Cisco CCNA can improve job prospects. On-the-job training is common, and strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail are essential for maintaining data center operations.

What qualifications do I need to work as a data center operator?

A data center operator typically needs a high school diploma or equivalent, along with technical knowledge of computer hardware, networking, and power systems. Relevant certifications such as CompTIA Server+ or Cisco CCNA can enhance job prospects, and hands-on experience with data center equipment is often preferred. Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment are also important.

What is a data center operator?

Data Center Operators are IT professionals responsible for the day-to-day operations, monitoring, and maintenance of data centers. They ensure that servers, networking equipment, and other critical infrastructure run smoothly and securely. Their duties include handling system backups, responding to hardware and software issues, and performing regular inspections to prevent downtime. Data Center Operators also assist with equipment installations and upgrades, and they often work in shifts to provide 24/7 coverage for data center facilities.

Are data center operator jobs high paying?

Data center operator jobs typically offer moderate to high wages depending on experience, certifications, and location. Entry-level positions may pay around the national average, while experienced operators with specialized skills or certifications can earn higher salaries. Compensation often includes benefits such as health insurance and overtime pay due to shift work.

What are some common challenges data center operators face during their shifts, and how can they effectively manage them?

Data Center Operators often encounter challenges such as maintaining uptime during unexpected hardware failures, managing environmental controls (like temperature and humidity), and responding quickly to system alerts. To manage these effectively, operators rely on well-documented protocols, regular training, and close collaboration with IT and facilities teams. Proactive monitoring, clear communication, and staying updated on new technologies also help minimize downtime and ensure smooth operations.

How much do data center operators make?

Data center operators typically earn a median annual salary of around $50,000 to $70,000, depending on experience, location, and certifications. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced operators with specialized skills can earn higher wages, especially in regions with a high cost of living or in large data centers.

What is the difference between Data Center Operator vs Network Technician?

AspectData Center OperatorNetwork Technician
CertificationsCompTIA Server+, Cisco CCNA (sometimes)CompTIA Network+, Cisco CCNA
Work EnvironmentData centers, server roomsNetworking labs, client sites
Primary ResponsibilitiesMonitoring servers, managing hardware, ensuring uptimeInstalling, troubleshooting, and maintaining network hardware and connections

While both roles involve technical skills and work in data or network environments, Data Center Operators focus on maintaining server hardware and data center operations, whereas Network Technicians specialize in network infrastructure and connectivity. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a data center operator?

To thrive as a Data Center Operator, you need strong technical aptitude in IT infrastructure, hardware troubleshooting, and basic networking, usually supported by an associate degree or relevant certifications like CompTIA Server+. Familiarity with data center management tools, monitoring systems, and ticketing software is typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and the ability to work effectively under pressure are vital soft skills for this position. These skills and qualities are crucial for maintaining data center uptime, ensuring system reliability, and quickly resolving technical issues.
Infographic showing various Data Center Operator job openings in Michigan as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 6% Contract, and 6% Nights. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Application Engineer, Data Center Software

Utilidata

Ann Arbor, MI • On-site, Remote

$175K - $244K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 19 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 Software to join our Technical Programs team. This is a founding role in a new Application Engineering function, responsible for building the integration layer - custom API connectors, configuration checkers, and test frameworks - between Karman and the diverse software environments operated by our data center customers. This person will work directly with customer operations and engineering teams to define requirements, lead technical discussions, and translate customer needs into integration designs. Because the integration surface is still being defined, this role carries real influence over how Karman's software integrations take shape, including the processes, tools, and standards that future engineers will build on. We are looking for candidates who are technically deep, customer-savvy, and energized by the challenge of building new integration surfaces in a fast-moving product environment.
Responsibilities
  • Work directly with customer data center operations and engineering teams to assess software environments, lead integration discussions, and translate requirements into actionable designs across DCIM platforms, custom dashboards, hypervisors, and management APIs
  • Design, develop, and validate custom API connectors between Karman and customer-specific data center software systems
  • Validate server builds against Karman's software requirements; write and execute configuration checkers and test suites for installation across customer environments
  • Conduct benchmark-driven and exploratory performance testing to identify and resolve bottlenecks
  • Debug integration issues and installation failures independently, leveraging deep familiarity with the Karman platform built through close collaboration with internal software engineering teams
  • Drive execution and sign-off of software installation requirement checklists for each customer engagement
  • Take an AI-first approach to automating processes and generating test frameworks, configuration checkers, integration artifacts, and deployment documentation
  • Build the software integration playbook - repeatable processes, templates, and documentation that scale the function beyond individual customer engagements
  • Create and maintain software integration artifacts, including SW validation checklists, test plans, configuration guides, KPI trackers, and After-Action Reports
  • Participate in roadmap meetings, engineering design reviews, and sprint planning to maintain a current understanding of the Karman platform
  • Serve as the feedback loop between customer deployments and core engineering, translating integration learnings into platform improvements
  • Support the TechOps team with software integration expertise for escalated production incidents related to initial installation
  • Participate in on-call rotation to provide 24x7 customer support

Minimum Qualifications
  • 6+ years of experience in systems integration, application engineering, solutions engineering, platform engineering, or related technical roles supporting enterprise software deployments in data center environments
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or similar field OR equivalent training and on the job experience
  • Strong working knowledge of Linux-based environments, including software installation, system configuration, troubleshooting, and validation
  • Demonstrated ability to design and implement API integrations between disparate software systems, including REST APIs and other common patterns
  • Experience working with containerized and virtualized environments, including the ability to understand and troubleshoot customer deployment architectures
  • Experience developing integration validation tools, configuration checks, test automation, or deployment verification processes for enterprise software environments
  • Ability to develop scripts, automation, and integration tooling using Python or Rust
  • Familiarity with APIs, messaging frameworks, and integration technologies such as REST, gRPC, Kafka, Protobuf, or similar technologies
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage customer data center operations teams and translate requirements into integration designs
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently and own complex technical problems end-to-end
  • High learning agility across diverse customer software environments
  • Experience integrating with DCIM platforms, hypervisors, or data center management APIs (e.g., Redfish, IPMI, or vendor-specific management interfaces)
  • Experience working directly with customers, stakeholders, or cross-functional technical teams to gather requirements, design solutions, and troubleshoot complex integration challenges
Enhanced Qualifications (Nice to Have)
  • Familiarity with observability and monitoring tooling common in data center environments (e.g., Prometheus, Grafana)
  • Experience building or contributing to structured software integration processes, checklists, or validation frameworks
  • Experience with GitOps-based deployment workflows (e.g., ArgoCD, Helm)

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 401k