Data Center Engineer
Salary
$150k–$1800k/ annually
Application completed on Rune
About This Role
Data Center Engineer – Field Operations
About Rune:
Every solar and wind power plant is a latent data center. Rune connects wasted power to the compute that needs it. Solar plants generate electricity the grid can't take: clipped by inverters, curtailed by operators, gone before it ever reaches a meter. Meanwhile, AI needs more power than new construction can deliver in time.
Rune deploys hardware, software, and financial solutions to put this power to work. We build modular micro data centers that install directly at solar sites, bypassing the traditional grid entirely and turning stranded power into compute. We're backed by Spark Capital, Union Square Ventures, and Lowercarbon Capital.
About the Role
Rune is seeking a highly skilled and hands-on Data Center Engineer to support the operation, maintenance, and expansion of our modular data center infrastructure. This is a site-based technical position responsible for maintaining high-value compute equipment, ensuring operational reliability, and supporting the deployment of next-generation data center technologies. The ideal candidate has experience working in mission-critical data center environments, with a strong understanding of enterprise server hardware, high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure, networking, and thermal management systems. Experience with
traditional air-cooled server infrastructure is highly desirable, along with exposure to modular or distributed data center deployments. This position requires daily on-site attendance at the assigned deployment location and involves direct responsibility for equipment monitoring, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, repairs, and infrastructure expansion.
Work Environment & Physical Requirements
This is a full-time, on-site field service position requiring daily attendance at the assigned data center location. Remote work is not available for routine duties.
Work is performed in active modular data center environments containing high-value computing, electrical, and cooling equipment.
Must be able to lift and handle equipment weighing up to 100 lbs independently, with assistance or lifting equipment for heavier components.
Must be able to stand, walk, bend, kneel, and work around server racks and equipment enclosures for extended periods.
May require occasional travel to other deployment sites for training, commissioning, or technical support.
May require participation in scheduled on-call coverage or after-hours response for critical infrastructure incidents.
Key Responsibilities
Server Infrastructure Maintenance & Repair
Perform hands-on maintenance, diagnostics, troubleshooting, and repairs of high-value enterprise and GPU-based compute servers.
Diagnose and replace failed hardware components, including power supplies, network interface cards, fans, and other field-replaceable components.
Coordinate Return Merchandise Authorizations (RMAs), warranty claims, replacement parts, and vendor technical support.
Execute equipment swaps, server replacements, and component-level repairs while minimizing operational downtime.
Maintain accurate service records, asset inventories, equipment configurations, and maintenance documentation.
Support hardware installation, rack integration, cable management, and equipment commissioning.
Monitoring & Operational Reliability
Investigate equipment alarms, hardware faults, and abnormal operating conditions to identify and resolve potential failures.
Conduct routine site inspections, preventive maintenance, and equipment health assessments.
Support root cause analysis (RCA) and corrective actions for recurring equipment failures.
Identify opportunities to improve equipment reliability, serviceability, and operational efficiency.
Coordinate with remote engineering, infrastructure, and operations teams to troubleshoot and resolve technical issues.
Networking & Infrastructure Support
Support installation, configuration, troubleshooting, and maintenance of data center network infrastructure.
Install and replace network switches, transceivers, fiber-optic cabling, and associated connectivity hardware.
Assist with fiber installation, cable routing, labeling, testing, and connectivity validation.
Troubleshoot physical network connectivity issues and coordinate with network engineering teams to resolve service interruptions.
Support network infrastructure expansion, equipment upgrades, and commissioning during new site development.
Site Deployment & Expansion
Participate in the installation, integration, and commissioning of new modular data center equipment.
Support server installation, equipment placement, power and network connectivity, and initial operational testing.
Coordinate with contractors, vendors, and internal engineering teams during site construction and expansion activities.
Provide field-level technical feedback to improve future modular data center designs, deployment processes, and equipment serviceability.
Safety, Documentation & Operational Standards
Follow established safety procedures, including electrical safety, lockout/tagout (LOTO), and applicable site-specific requirements.
Maintain clean, organized, and safe equipment environments.
Document maintenance activities, equipment failures, repairs, and operational changes in designated tracking systems.
Maintain accurate spare-parts inventories and coordinate replenishment of critical replacement components.
Required Qualifications
3+ years of hands-on experience in data center operations, field service engineering, server hardware maintenance, or a closely related technical role.
Demonstrated experience diagnosing, repairing, and maintaining enterprise-class server hardware.
Experience installing, troubleshooting, and maintaining physical networking infrastructure, including fiber-optic connections, transceivers, and network switches.
Ability to independently diagnose technical problems, execute repairs, and coordinate escalations with remote engineering teams.
Experience managing hardware replacements, RMAs, vendor support cases, and spare-parts inventories.
Strong technical documentation, communication, and organizational skills.
Ability to work independently in a field-based environment while maintaining high operational and safety standards.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience supporting GPU-based compute infrastructure, AI/ML clusters, or high-performance computing environments.
Experience with modular, prefabricated, containerized, or distributed data center deployments.
Familiarity with enterprise server platforms such as Supermicro, Dell, HPE, or similar manufacturers.
Experience with high-speed data center networking, including 100G, 400G, or 800G infrastructure.
Familiarity with Linux operating systems, remote management interfaces (BMC/IPMI), and basic command-line troubleshooting.
Experience supporting new data center construction, commissioning, and infrastructure expansion.
