Data Center Engineer

Position Summary: My client is seeking an experienced and motivated Data Centre Engineer to join their dynamic team in London. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in managing, maintaining, and supporting critical data centre infrastructure with an emphasis on Cisco network equipment and Microsoft Exchange. This role requires hands-on expertise in data centre operations, troubleshooting, and ensuring optimal performance of hardware and network systems. Key Responsibilities: Data Centre Operations: Manage day-to-day operations, including monitoring and troubleshooting data centre systems to ensure maximum uptime. Install, configure, and maintain physical and virtual servers, network equipment, and storage systems. Perform regular system checks, backup management, and disaster recovery procedures. Carry out power, cooling, and environmental monitoring in the data centre. Cisco Network Management: Configure and support Cisco network switches, routers, and firewalls. Perform network troubleshooting, including diagnosing hardware and software issues, and implementing network upgrades. Manage VLANs, routing protocols (e.g., OSPF, BGP), and network security policies. Implement Cisco-based solutions, ensuring adherence to industry best practices and security standards. Microsoft Exchange: Administer and support Microsoft Exchange servers, ensuring smooth email service operation. Manage user mailboxes, distribution groups, and Exchange security. Perform upgrades, migrations, and patch management for Exchange environments. Troubleshoot and resolve Exchange-related issues, including mail flow and synchronization problems. System Maintenance & Troubleshooting: Identify, diagnose, and resolve hardware and software faults across servers, network devices, and other critical infrastructure. Conduct regular preventive maintenance, firmware updates, and capacity planning. Collaborate with third-party vendors for hardware replacements, upgrades, and troubleshooting. Documentation & Compliance: Maintain comprehensive documentation of network configurations, hardware inventory, and data centre processes. Ensure compliance with data centre security protocols, industry standards, and company policies. Participate in audits and risk assessments to uphold high availability and security standards. Skills and Qualifications: Experience: 4 - 13 years of experience working in data centres or network infrastructure roles. Cisco Expertise: Strong hands-on experience with Cisco products, including switches, routers, and firewalls (CCNA or CCNP certification preferred). Microsoft Exchange: Extensive knowledge of Microsoft Exchange (2016/2019 or Office 365) administration and troubleshooting. Network Protocols: Strong understanding of network protocols (TCP/IP, BGP, OSPF) and network security concepts. Hardware Knowledge: Experience with server hardware, SAN/NAS storage, and virtualization technologies (VMware or Hyper-V). Operating Systems: Proficiency in Windows Server environments, Active Directory, and PowerShell scripting. Problem Solving: Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills to diagnose and resolve complex network and system issues. Team Player: Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams. Desirable Qualifications: Certifications such as CCNA/CCNP, MCSA/MCSE, or ITIL. Experience with monitoring tools (e.g., SolarWinds, Nagios) and backup/recovery solutions. Familiarity with cloud technologies (Azure or AWS) and hybrid infrastructure environments. Work Environment: This position is primarily based in a data centre environment, with occasional travel between London sites. Candidates should be comfortable with lifting hardware equipment and working in a fast-paced, highly secure environment. On-call rotation and occasional weekend work may be required.