Datacenter Engineer

We are seeking a hands-on Datacenter Engineer to join our Europe Operations team. You'll be the on-the-ground owner for our Slough (Equinix) environment and a key contributor to our global private cloud.

The role blends datacenter operations and Linux systems administration (Ubuntu), containerized compute (LXD/LXC, some Docker) and networking.

You will partner with engineering, network, and security teams to ensure reliability, performance, and change control in a 24×7, market-facing environment.

This is a production-oriented role: you'll prepare, review and execute changes, troubleshoot live issues, execute maintenance windows, and continuously improve our platform through automation and rigorous documentation.

Interaction and Hierarchy

• Reports to the Europe Operations Team Lead
• Works closely with System and Network Admins, Project & cybersecurity Teams
• Interacts with the following departments or external organizations: Technology, suppliers

Role and Responsibilities

Data Center Operations

• Perform racking, stacking, cabling, and labeling of servers, network, and storage equipment.Conduct hardware upgrades, component swaps, and replacements for disks, memory, and NICs.
• Perform fiber and copper cable cleaning, routing, and documentation to maintain reliability and performance.
• Track and manage hardware inventory, asset tagging, and lifecycle documentation.
• Coordinate RMA and vendor support for failed components and warranty claims.
• Assist with data center expansion and decommissioning projects, ensuring minimal downtime.

Server Administration

• Deploy, configure, and maintain Linux servers (Red Hat, CentOS, Ubuntu, or similar enterprise distributions).
• Manage virtualization platforms (VMware ESXi, KVM, or Proxmox) and assist with capacity planning.
• Apply patches, updates, and firmware upgrades as part of scheduled maintenance cycles.
• Support system imaging and provisioning for new hardware deployments.

Monitoring & Performance

• Implement and maintain infrastructure monitoring systems (Nagios, Zabbix, Prometheus, Observium, Dynatrace, Centreon) for proactive issue detection. Analyze performance metrics to identify and resolve hardware or system bottlenecks.

• Contribute to continuous improvement of deployment and monitoring processes.

• Participating in strategic planning for datacenter & infrastructure improvements.

Change Management

• Contribute to change management (runbooks, maintenance windows, rollback plans)and keep documentation current (network diagrams, inventories, SOPs).

Networking & Connectivity

• Work with network teams to troubleshoot L1-L3 issues, VLAN assignments, link failures, and firewall connectivity.
• Validate and document physical network and fiber patching maps.

Automation & Scripting

• Use scripting (Bash, Python, or Ansible) to automate hardware checks, provisioning, and maintenance tasks.

Security & Compliance

• Ensure systems meet security and compliance standards through access control, patching, and hardening.
• Support audit preparation by maintaining accurate operational documentation.

Incident Response & Support

• Perform root cause analysis and corrective actions for infrastructure incidents.

Documentation

• Maintain detailed rack diagrams, wiring maps, system configurations, and operational SOPs.
• Update change logs and records in asset management systems.

Do you have experience in Virtualization?, * 3+ years of experience in a data center operations and Linux systems role.

• Proven hands-on experience with server hardware assembly, cabling, and maintenance.

• Strong knowledge of Linux OS internals, troubleshooting, and system tuning.

• Familiarity with TCP/IP networking, VLANs, DNS, and DHCP.

• Experience with monitoring tools (Nagios, Zabbix, Observium, Dynatrace, OpenTelemetry, or Prometheus).

• Proficiency in Bash or Python scripting for automation.

• Good knowledge of backup, recovery, and DR procedures.

• Ability to lift and install rack-mounted equipment (up to ~25-30kg safely).

• Comfortable working in controlled environments (raised floors, hot/cold aisles, etc.).

• Experience working in global team environments and solving problems28.

• Excellent communication, collaboration, reporting, analytical, and problem-solving skills30.

• Strong autonomy

• High ability to adapt and anticipate

• Languages: English, French (Optional)

• Standard business hours aligned to Central European Time

• Standard week will be from Tuesday to Saturday

• Travel: 1-4 trips per month to Slough

Preferred skills

• Experience with virtualization (VMware, KVM, or Proxmox).
• Exposure to containerization (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Experience with GIT workflows/pipelines
• Familiarity with configuration management tools (Ansible, Puppet, or Chef).
• Knowledge of ITIL processes, ticketing systems (JIRA), and change management.

smartTrade Technologies builds mission-critical trading and connectivity platforms for global financial markets. Our low-latency infrastructure supports real-time services across EMEA, North America, and APAC.