Data Center Operations Technician
AI in this role
Maintain physical data center infrastructure, servers, and hardware supporting AI inference workloads and reconfigurable dataflow units.
SambaNova is a leader in next-generation AI infrastructure, delivering a full-stack inference platform for customers worldwide. At the core of SambaNova's technology is the RDU (Reconfigurable Dataflow Unit) — a chip built on a dataflow architecture rather than the traditional GPU model. Its decode performance is especially strong for agentic workloads like multi-turn agents, code generation, and long-running applications. RDUs are packaged into SambaRack, rack-scale hardware that lets customers deploy state-of-the-art models with better performance, greater energy efficiency, and faster time to value.
About SambaNova Systems
SambaNova Systems is on a mission to redefine what’s possible with AI. We build purpose-built AI hardware and software that enables enterprises to run the world’s most powerful AI models — at scale, in production, and with unmatched efficiency. Every role at SambaNova contributes to that mission, and this one is no exception.
The Role
SambaNova Systems is seeking an entry-level Data Center Operations Technician to apply their technical skills in a fast-paced and complex environment. In this role, you should come with some knowledge of computer hardware and the desire to participate in projects at a large-scale data center.
This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of AI and the value it can unlock across every aspect of an organization’s business and operations. This job opens pathways for high growth but requires a learning mindset. You will be here to support the core of our physical computational and cloud resources.
What You'll Do
- Unpack servers and parts
- Rack and stack equipment
- Install and/or replace system components
- Read elevation plans and implement assembly and installations accordingly and exactly
- Pay attention to neatness and organization in all aspects of the job (racks, cables, etc.)
- Install and maintain various networking technologies and fabrics
- Troubleshoot and work with subject matter experts to resolve problems
- Package servers for shipment
- Daily housekeeping of packaging materials
- Coordinate with logistics team for shipping and receiving assembled servers
- Complete assigned tickets to uphold tight SLA’s and respond to requests in a timely manner
- Assist with projects (new capacity as well as retrofits) and repairs throughout the data center
- Demonstrate personal leadership, identifying and helping to create documentation for the data center knowledge base
- Assist with process improvements and best practices in data center operations and expansions
- Participate in on-call rotation as needed in Santa Clara, CA or additional off-site locations
- Other data center operations technician role assignments as required
What We're Looking For
Required
- 0-1+ years experience
- High School Diploma; Associates Degree preferred
- Able to perform all essential job functions, including walking, standing, bending, stooping, climbing, lifting and manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation
- Able to lift equipment and items up to 50 pounds
- Able to operate lifting equipment for heavier items following training on the equipment
- Able to work days/nights/weekends/holidays, if needed and/or required
- This role will be required to be on-site at our data center locations in and around Santa Clara, CA. This role may require travel to additional data center site expansions.
- Strong communication and organizational skills as well as a high attention to detail.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment where adaptability and flexibility will be key to your success.
- Ability to work independently and also within groups
- Ability to commute/relocate: Santa Clara, CA. Must be able to reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work
Nice to Have
- Have working knowledge and experience in areas like Networking, Programming/Scripting, Hardware and OS repair.
- Ability to understand and perform initial analysis to debug hardware, and Linux OS related issues
Base Salary Range:
Base Pay Range$28—$35 USDSubmission Guidelines
Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at SambaNova Systems, you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified.
EEO Policy
SambaNova Systems is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Benefits Summary for US-Based, Full-Time Employment Positions
SambaNova offers a competitive total rewards package, including the base salary, plus equity and benefits. We cover 95% premium coverage for employee medical insurance, and 77% premium coverage for dependents and offer a Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contribution. We also offer Dental, Vision, Short/Long term Disability, Basic Life, Voluntary Life, and AD&D insurance plans in addition to Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options like Health Care, Limited Purpose, and Dependent Care. Our library of well-being benefits available to you and your dependents includes a full subscription to Headspace, Gympass+ membership with access to physical gyms, One Medical membership, counseling services with an Employee Assistance Program, and much more.
How we rate this
Data Center Operations Technician at SambaNova Systems rates 65 out of 100 for how much of the daily work is AI. That makes it Works on AI (AI Level 3 of 4). The level is about AI in the job, not seniority.
Works on AI. The daily work is on AI products, without building the model.
- ●●●● Builds AI80 to 100
- ●●●○ Works on AI60 to 79
- ●●○○ Uses AI40 to 59
- ●○○○ Little AI0 to 39
Levels come from how often the tools, models and workflows of the role are named in the posting itself. Open the description and count.
Prepare for this job
A free preview built only from this posting: what it asks for, what you could be asked in an interview, and how to adjust your resume.
Skills and AI tools this role asks for
Questions you could be asked
- What's a project where you used Servers hands-on?
- Walk me through how you've used Networking Equipment in your day-to-day work.
- Describe a typical day in a role like this one: which parts run through AI directly?
- If you removed AI from this role, what would be left, and how do you decide what still needs a human?
Adapt your resume
- List these exact terms on your resume: Servers and Networking Equipment. An applicant tracking system matches the wording, not the idea.
- Attach one line of real, concrete experience to at least one of them — a tool named with nothing behind it rarely survives a human read.
- Show where AI is part of your daily process, not a one-off project — this role expects it to be a running habit.
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