What does a senior data center engineer do?
A senior data center engineer specializes in designing and developing systems and networks to optimize data center operations. It is their responsibility to set guidelines and objectives, identify and understand the needs of facilities, conduct research and analyses, develop prototypes and test structures, troubleshoot problems, perform installations and repairs, and conduct regular maintenance checks on systems. Moreover, a senior data center engineer oversees projects and leads junior engineers to reach goals, all while implementing the company's data security policies and regulations.
Senior data center engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real senior data center engineer resumes:
- Excele at managing major network-wide upgrades; improve speed and predictability of multicast and order-routing data.
- Install OS and configure raid setup of Redhat linux, freebsd and windows servers for cloning.
- Implement storage designs for Virtualization environments running Vmware services on ESX servers.
- Support in installation of packages/patches on LINUX platforms.
- Work using VMWare platform, configuring security and network designs.
- Assist in rolling out custom PXE boot Linux workstation environment for data center staff.
- Install, configure, test and turn up various vendor routers, switches and servers.
- Implement data center build and migration projects, designing architecture to support and ensure operations of client systems.
- Provide break/fix for servers, switches, firewalls and other relate equipment to the board level and beyond.
- Test VoIP and video quality of each technology with inject delay, bit errors, and traffic congestion.
- Develop product road map specification for wavelength on demand product using MPLS RSVP TE to set up wavelengths on demand service.
- Analyze network traffic to track down rogue DHCP servers, broadcast storms, and other issues that might cause network slowness.
- Provide Virtualization architectures from inception to delivery.
- Provide best practice implementations for spanning-tree configurations in addition to IOS revision levels for Cisco switches/routers/firewalls.
- Implement enterprise wide network infrastructure and ecommerce support solutions including, network intrusion detection, encryption and monitoring.
Senior data center engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 14% of Senior Data Center Engineers are proficient in Windows, Vmware Esxi, and Nexus. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Senior Data Center Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Windows, 14%
Provided administrative support for the division's Microsoft network, maintaining the Windows 2012 and Windows 2008 R2 enterprise.
- Vmware Esxi, 14%
Installed VMware ESXi and vCenter server appliances, and troubleshooting existing VMware environments.
- Nexus, 12%
Validate Cisco Nexus 3K and Juniper top of rack configuration/ link state to Core network equipment.
- Project Management, 11%
Key responsibilities include project management, documentation, and implementation.
- VMware, 10%
Provided engineering and administrative support for the Central VMWare 5.x virtual infrastructure.
- OS, 9%
Implement OS patches, OS system upgrades and/or changes as needed and in accordance with change management policies and procedures.
Common skills that a senior data center engineer uses to do their job include "windows," "vmware esxi," and "nexus." You can find details on the most important senior data center engineer responsibilities below.
Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a senior data center engineer to carry out their responsibilities is analytical skills. This skill is important for the role because "administrators need to evaluate networks and systems to make sure that they perform reliably and to anticipate new requirements as customers’ needs change." Additionally, a senior data center engineer resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "analyzed data center operational processes/costs, providing recommendations to streamline and implement cost savings and/or creating maximum efficiency of infrastructure equipment. "
Communication skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling senior data center engineer duties is communication skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "administrators must describe problems and their solutions to non-it workers." According to a senior data center engineer resume, here's how senior data center engineers can utilize communication skills in their job responsibilities: "implement and support network and e-commerce communication equipment in a data center environment using qos, ssl and bandwidth management technologies. "
Problem-solving skills. This is an important skill for senior data center engineers to perform their duties. For an example of how senior data center engineer responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "administrators must quickly resolve problems that arise with computer networks." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a senior data center engineer: "designed and installed a checkpoint, asa and juniper srx firewall high-availability solution for multiple data centers. ".
The three companies that hire the most senior data center engineers are:
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Senior data center engineer vs. Information technology administrator
An Information Technology (IT) administrator is an individual responsible for managing the day-to-day operation of an organization's IT systems and ensuring that the systems are running effectively. IT administrators must conduct consistent analyses of the computer system and install updates when needed. They are required to assess the organization's security programs and run the system for viruses and spyware. IT administrators also extend support to the organization's end-users and train them on desktop applications.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a senior data center engineer are more likely to require skills like "windows," "nexus," "project management," and "architecture." On the other hand, a job as an information technology administrator requires skills like "customer service," "database," "windows server," and "technical support." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Information technology administrators tend to make the most money working in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $93,678. In contrast, senior data center engineers make the biggest average salary, $124,257, in the professional industry.information technology administrators tend to reach lower levels of education than senior data center engineers. In fact, information technology administrators are 9.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.8% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Senior data center engineer vs. Administrator
Administrators are administrative professionals who oversee the whole office or department. They manage office activities and supervise administrative functions in the office. They work the office calendar and oversee the appointment-setting process. They coordinate office events and ensure that all preparations are made and that there are no conflicting schedules. They also maintain a database of external providers of various office needs. Administrators also oversee office supplies and prepare purchase requisitions. They also manage janitorial services and other functions that are related to the maintenance of the physical office space. Administrators ensure that all fixtures and equipment in the office are functioning well and have no problems.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, senior data center engineer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "windows," "vmware esxi," "nexus," and "project management." Meanwhile, an administrator has duties that require skills in areas such as "customer service," "data entry," "payroll," and "financial reports." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, administrators earn a lower salary than senior data center engineers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, administrators earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $78,798. Whereas senior data center engineers have higher pay in the professional industry, with an average salary of $124,257.In general, administrators achieve similar levels of education than senior data center engineers. They're 4.5% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Senior data center engineer vs. Network administrator
A network administrator is responsible for managing an organization's computer systems, ensuring its smooth operations and highest efficiency. Network administrators' duties include inspecting network malfunctions, troubleshooting unresponsive programs, improving system processes, analyzing client's specifications, upgrading existing applications, coordinating with the technology department, and creating a report of network issues resolutions. A network administrator should display a strong command of programming languages. Extensive knowledge in the technology industry and analytical and problem-solving skills to manage network problems immediately is also necessary.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from senior data center engineer resumes include skills like "windows," "nexus," "project management," and "virtualization," whereas a network administrator is more likely to list skills in "windows server," "network hardware," "routers," and "lan. "
Network administrators make a very good living in the finance industry with an average annual salary of $74,936. On the other hand, senior data center engineers are paid the highest salary in the professional industry, with average annual pay of $124,257.When it comes to education, network administrators tend to earn lower degree levels compared to senior data center engineers. In fact, they're 9.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.9% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Senior data center engineer vs. Network technician
A network technician is responsible for system malfunction diagnosis and troubleshooting operations. Network technicians duties' include repairing damaged system components, analyzing computer systems and blueprints, installing network connections, and upgrading accessories for efficient operations. Other duties include assisting customers with technical issues, ensuring computer systems' privacy, creating documents of network issues and resolutions, and suggesting alternative equipment for network backups. A network technician must have a broad knowledge of the technology industry and mechanical processes, plus the ability to work under pressure with minimal supervision.
Types of senior data center engineer
Updated January 8, 2025











