Freelance Cisco Network Engineer Jobs in Reno, NV

An Experienced Data Center Technician is responsible for day-to-daydatacenter operations and advanced hands-on technical support. Therolefocuses on maintaining uptime for server, network, storage, anddatacenter infrastructure while performing complex troubleshooting,executingchanges safely, and mentoring other technicians.

Previous AWS, Google, or Meta experience highly desired

Applicants must reside with Reno / Sparks, NV Area

Key responsibilities

• Respond to and troubleshoot incidents involving servers, switches, storage systems, cabling, PDUs,cooling components, and alarms; identify root cause and drive resolution.
• Perform advanced break/fix and migrations: rack-and-stack, hardware replacements, firmwareverification, and structured cabling changes.
• Execute preventive and corrective maintenance following runbooks and change procedures (includingescalation to engineering when needed).
• Support data center infrastructure operations including power distribution awareness, UPS/generator-related operational checks (as applicable), airflow best practices, and cooling/CRAH-CRAC monitoringresponse.
• Install and test network connectivity (patch panels, patch cords, optics/SFPs, VLAN/port verification asapplicable).
• Own physical layer documentation quality: cable maps, labeling standards, rack diagrams, asset records,and post-change updates.
• Manage work orders and changes in a ticketing/change system, ensuring approvals, sequencing, androllbacks are followed.
• Maintain compliance and safety: ESD procedures, ladder/working-at-height safety, access control, andadherence to data center standards.
• Coordinate with vendors and cross-functional teams (network engineering, platform teams, facilities, andsupport) during outages and escalations.
• Mentor junior technicians through shadowing, coaching on procedures, and improving teamplaybooks/runbooks.

Required skills

• Strong experience with server hardware lifecycle (install, replace, troubleshoot) and understanding ofRAID/storage basics.
• Solid working knowledge of networking fundamentals (switching concepts, fiber/optics basics, cablingstandards, port verification).
• Hands-on ability with structured cabling (copper and fiber), patching, labeling, and rack organization.
• Proficiency using ticketing/ITSM systems, monitoring tools, and escalation workflows.
• Competence reading diagrams, schematics, and runbooks, and producing clear documentation afterwork.
• Demonstrated experience working in a high-availability, safety-first environment with controlled changeprocesses.
• Ability to lift and work in constrained spaces (often required for rack work and component swaps).

Qualifications (common)

• Typically 3–7+ years of data center operations/technician experience (or equivalent hands-on work).
• Technical education in IT/networking/electronics (or equivalent practical experience).
• Experience with at least one common data center environment or platform stack(servers/network/storage) is preferred.

Preferred (nice-to-have)

• Certifications such as CompTIA A+/Network+, Cisco (CCNA), ITIL, or vendor-specific hardwarecertifications.
• Experience with on-call rotation, outage response, and incident command principles.
• Knowledge of data center infrastructure monitoring (BMS alarms, environmental monitoring,power/cooling telemetry—role dependent).

Work conditions

• On-site work in a temperature-controlled environment.
• Shift work and on-call may be required.
• Ability to work under time constraints during incidents and scheduled maintenance windows.