Vantage Data Centers powers, cools, protects and connects the technology of the world’s well-known hyperscalers, cloud providers and large enterprises. Developing and operating across North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific, Vantage has evolved data center design in innovative ways to deliver dramatic gains in reliability, efficiency and sustainability in flexible environments that can scale as quickly as the market demands.
Technology & Systems Department
The Technology & Systems department drives technological innovation for the company and advances the technology strategy to support global growth. This includes IT, Software Development, OT / Automation Systems, and business process improvement. At Vantage, we are very hands-on. In most cases, we specify, purchase, configure, and maintain all networking and server hardware. We also work closely with partner VARs to learn about the latest technology changes, so we can make informed purchase decisions. The Technology & Systems department participates in designing each of our new data center building’s networking infrastructure, including but not limited to diverse pathways connecting to carriers, meet-me room hosting (rack, cabs, ladders, cross-connect panels…), wireless AP coverage, etc.
We rely on extreme collaboration with Sales, Construction, Operations, and Corporate Functions to drive simplification and establish global standards with continuous improvement and speed to value. We are working to build a reliable, scalable, sustainable, and secure technology roadmap/landscape that enables us to serve our customers and employees better and be the partner of choice. Our focus is on speed to value with financial and execution discipline.
Position Overview
This role will be based onsite in Port Washington, WI.
The Senior IT Construction Engineer is a hands-on field engineering role responsible for the end-to-end delivery of site IT infrastructure across new data center builds. This role is accountable for deploying and integrating enterprise network, compute, and virtualization systems, ensuring full operational readiness prior to handover. This is a delivery-focused engineering role with full accountability for site IT readiness.
Act as the onsite IT owner for new data center builds, accountable for end-to-end delivery of site IT infrastructure from installation through commissioning and handover.
Lead end-to-end deployment of site IT infrastructure including rack and stack, structured cabling, Arista-based switching environments, Fortinet security infrastructure, server provisioning, and VMware-based virtualization platform buildout.
Execute full site bring-up and validation across facilities including system configuration, connectivity validation, failover testing, and readiness for customer production workloads.
Design, build, and configure enterprise server and virtualization environments (VMware/Hypervisors, Windows, Linux) aligned to high-availability and scalability standards.
Deploy and support enterprise network and security infrastructure with a focus on modern data center platforms (Arista switching, Fortinet firewalls), ensuring alignment with site design standards.
Coordinate with construction teams, project managers, and general contractors to align IT deployment with build schedules, resolve field issues, and maintain project timelines.
Operate independently in a fast-paced construction environment, making real-time technical decisions with minimal oversight and high accountability.
Manage multiple one-time and/or ongoing projects.
Respond to safety and emergency situations and maintain a safe and secure work environment.
Provide expert insight into organizing workflows and adapt as priorities are modified due to a changing environment.
Direct and coordinate vendors and contractors responsible for cabling, network install, and infrastructure delivery to ensure quality, accuracy, and adherence to design standards.
Provide professional mentorship and specialist advice to the business on both systems and project matters, ensuring projects are initiated accurately, and appropriate levels of governance are applied.
Collaborate with internal partners and stakeholders to craft technology solutions to fit the project's needs.
Development of business cases, whole life costing analysis, and ensuring briefs and feasibility proposals are developed following business aims.
Own all IT delivery outcomes for assigned sites, ensuring infrastructure is installed, configured, tested, and fully operational at handover.
Serve as the primary escalation point for onsite IT issues, troubleshooting network, server, and connectivity challenges to minimize delays during construction and commissioning.
Identify opportunities to standardize and improve IT deployment activities with budget, schedule, and resource plans, proactively identifying risks and mitigation strategies.
Manage incident resolution and change activities during deployment, ensuring stability of systems through commissioning and transition to operations.
Find opportunities to develop systems to meet business requirements, applying existing functionality or through systems development.
Support the Senior Manager and Lead Engineer, Information Technology, in delivering services that are essential to the success of the business.
Handle additional duties as assigned by Management.
Job Requirements
Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or equivalent relevant work experience.
Strong hands-on experience deploying and configuring enterprise IT systems, including networking, switching, routing, server infrastructure, and virtualization platforms.
Deep understanding of networking fundamentals including switching, routing, with exposure to enterprise or data center network platforms (Arista, Fortinet) required.
Relevant technical certifications in networking and virtualization are preferred (Fortinet NSE, VMware VCP, Arista certifications).
5+ years of experience deploying IT infrastructure in data centers, colocations, or mission-critical environments, with direct involvement in new builds or large-scale infrastructure rollouts.
Demonstrated experience owning or leading technical deployments, managing timelines, coordinating vendors, and delivering infrastructure to completion.
Experience working in live or active construction environments and/or commissioning data center infrastructure preferred.
Ability to communicate effectively across technical and non-technical stakeholders, including contractors, vendors, engineers, and leadership teams.
Hands-on experience with rack and stack, structured cabling, fiber connectivity, and deployment of virtualized infrastructure (VMware ESXi environments) in data center settings strongly preferred.
May be required to complete formal training in an area of specialization.
Candidates must possess reliable transportation for reporting to work for shifts or emergencies.
Travel is expected to be less than 20%, occasionally for training purposes.
Potential employees must complete a background check successfully.
Physical Demands and Special Requirements
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop or kneel; talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
Salary Range: $106,000- $115,000 + Bonus (this range is based on Colorado market data and may vary in other locations)
This position is eligible for company benefits including but not limited to medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and AD&D, short and long-term disability coverage, paid time off, employee assistance, participation in a 401k program that includes company match, and many other additional voluntary benefits.
Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including your qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience and may fall outside of the range shown.
We operate with No Ego and No Arrogance. We work to build each other up and support one another, appreciating each other’s strengths and respecting each other’s weaknesses. We find joy in our work and each other, actively seeking opportunities to inject fun into what we do. Our hard and efficient work is rewarded with an above market total compensation package. We offer a comprehensive suite of health and welfare, retirement, and paid leave benefits exceeding local expectations.
Throughout the year, the advantage of being part of the Vantage team is evident with an array of benefits, recognition, training and development, and the knowledge that your contribution adds value to the company and our community.
Don't meet all the requirements? Please still apply if you think you are the right person for the position. We are always keen to speak to people who connect with our mission and values.
Vantage Data Centers is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Vantage Data Centers does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firm agencies. Fees will not be paid in the event a candidate submitted by a recruiter without an agreement in place is hired; such resumes will be deemed the sole property of Vantage Data Centers.
We’ll be accepting applications for at least one week from the date this role is posted. If you're interested, we encourage you to apply soon—we’re excited to find the right person and will keep the role open until we do!
