Data Center Technician Manager

The role

The Data Center Technician Manager is a first-line people manager responsible for the day-to-day operational performance and development of DC Technician and DC Facilities Engineering staff at the site.

This is the first formal people-management role in the Nebius data center technical career path. It serves as the primary operational and people-management layer between these teams and the Data Center IT Manager.

The role owns performance, development, scheduling, and accountability across the DC Technician and DC Facilities Engineering disciplines. When the Data Center IT Manager is unavailable, this manager acts as the primary on-site operational authority, makes shift-level decisions across both managed disciplines, and coordinates incidents involving other site teams.

The successful candidate brings deep technical credibility in data center technician operations and/or facilities engineering, along with sufficient cross-disciplinary understanding to direct escalations, assess work quality, and represent the managed teams in site-level operational discussions.

The Senior DC Diagnostic & RMA Specialist, Field Network Engineer, and Senior DC Support Engineer report directly to the Data Center IT Manager.

This role is onsite in our Kansas City, Missouri data center location. 

Core responsibilities

• Own the daily operational performance of DC Technician and DC Facilities Engineering staff. Assign shift coverage, set priorities, balance workloads, and ensure open work is tracked, delegated, and completed to Nebius standards.
• Conduct regular one-on-one meetings with direct reports. Deliver structured performance feedback, set individual development goals aligned with the career framework, track progression, and manage performance concerns in partnership with HR and the Data Center IT Manager.
• Own shift handoff quality across both disciplines. Ensure incoming shifts have full visibility into open incidents, active vendor work, abnormal system conditions, deferred tasks, and escalated items before taking operational ownership.
• Serve as the on-site operational escalation authority during active incidents. Direct the response across managed teams, coordinate with the Lead DC Technician, Senior DC Facilities Engineer, and technical specialists reporting to the Data Center IT Manager, and escalate incidents that exceed site-level decision-making authority.
• Manage vendor and contractor activity on the data center floor and in engineering zones. Verify qualifications, enforce safe working practices, review and approve Methods of Procedure (MOPs) within assigned authority, oversee execution quality, and ensure work meets Nebius standards.
• Drive technical training and development for managed staff. Partner with the Lead DC Technician and Senior DC Facilities Engineer to identify skill gaps, arrange training, validate completion, and support progression within the Nebius career framework.
• Lead hiring activities for DC Technician and DC Facilities Engineering roles. Conduct structured, competency-based interviews, provide hiring recommendations, and partner with recruiting and HR on offers, onboarding, and early-tenure support.
• Maintain a safe, inclusive, and high-performance team culture. Address conduct, attendance, and well-being concerns promptly and in accordance with Nebius policies, safe working requirements, and applicable employment obligations.
• Make recommendations regarding hiring, promotions, disciplinary action, advancement, scheduling, and termination.
• Make routine decisions regarding workflow, staffing, escalation, and corrective actions within assigned management authority.
• Provide ongoing coaching, training, and performance feedback.

Technical work may be performed when needed, but the position’s primary responsibility is managing the assigned team and data center operations.

Expected capabilities

• Proven first-line management ability, including leading, developing, and holding technical teams accountable across shift-based operations in a mission-critical environment.
• Deep technical credibility in data center technician operations and/or facilities engineering, with sufficient cross-disciplinary understanding to direct escalations, assess work quality, and evaluate readiness across both functions.
• Strong operational judgment, including assigning and reprioritizing work, managing incidents across disciplines, and making sound shift-level decisions without requiring approval for routine matters.
• Demonstrated performance-management capability, including delivering structured feedback, managing development plans, addressing underperformance, and supporting career progression and promotions in partnership with HR.
• Clear, structured communication with technicians, facilities engineers, the Data Center IT Manager, global engineering teams, vendors, and senior leadership.
• Proficiency in operational reporting and tracking metrics, with the ability to identify performance trends, surface risks, and recommend improvements to shift execution and team capability.
• Working knowledge of safe working practices, change control, emergency operating procedures, and vendor management, with the ability to learn and apply Nebius-specific requirements.

Core physical requirements

The role requires the ability to perform the following activities, with reasonable accommodation where applicable:

• Stand and remain on your feet for extended periods, typically four or more consecutive hours during active shift operations.
• Safely lift, carry, and position equipment weighing up to 50 pounds independently, using appropriate team-lift protocols or mechanical aids for heavier loads.
• Work at heights, including ascending and descending ladders and using approved elevated work platforms.
• Work in confined spaces, including under raised floors, within rack enclosures, and along cable management pathways.
• Work in environments with variable temperatures, including cold aisle containment zones and areas with active cooling infrastructure.
• Handle small components, precision cabling, and connector installations.
• Read equipment labels, interface indicators, and detailed wiring diagrams in variable lighting conditions.
• Safely push or pull wheeled equipment weighing up to 500 pounds on level surfaces, using appropriate equipment-handling procedures.

On-call requirement

This role carries on-call responsibility as the primary management escalation point for after-hours incidents, team welfare concerns, vendor emergencies, and site-level operational events requiring management authority across both managed disciplines.

Key employee benefits in the US:

• Health insurance: 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and families.
• 401(k) plan: Up to 4% company match with immediate vesting.
• Parental leave: 20 weeks paid for primary caregivers, 12 weeks for secondary caregivers.
• Remote work reimbursement: Up to $85/month for mobile and internet.
• Disability & life insurance: Company-paid short-term, long-term and life insurance coverage.