About the job

Google isn't just a software company. The Hardware Operations team is responsible for monitoring the state-of-the-art physical infrastructure behind Google's powerful search technology. As an Operations Technician, you'll install, configure, test, troubleshoot and maintain hardware (like servers and its components) and server software (like Google's Linux cluster). You'll also take on the configuration of more complex components such as networks, routers, hubs, bridges, switches and networking protocols. You'll participate in or lead small project teams on larger installations and develop project contingency plans. A typical day involves manual movement and installation of racks, and while it can sometimes be physically demanding, you are excited to work with the infrastructure of computer technology.

Behind Google’s simple search box is one of the most complex technology infrastructures in the world. And behind that infrastructure is a various group of Googlers who design, build and keep the lights on for our users. Our Data Center Engineering team takes the physical design of our data centers into the future, and our Technical, Engineering, and Support teams bring ideas to life. The teams use creative approaches to reduce operational costs and to extend traditional practices to meet our goal of making our data centers the most energy efficient and environmentally sustainable in the world. The Hardware Operations team is the team in the data center responsible for monitoring, maintaining and deploying the physical infrastructure behind Google's powerful search technology. Operations Engineers deploy and maintain Google's advanced data center server and network infrastructure. This team offers a great introduction to the wider engineering world at Google.

Behind everything our users see online is the architecture built by the Technical Infrastructure team to keep it running. From developing and maintaining our data centers to building the next generation of Google platforms, we make Google's product portfolio possible. We're proud to be our engineers' engineers and love voiding warranties by taking things apart so we can rebuild them. We keep our networks up and running, ensuring our users have the best and fastest experience possible.

Responsibilities

• Identify trends for machine failure, report bugs and work with remote teams to resolve them. Communicate effectively with clients and partners.
• Contribute to projects in deployment, maintenance, and provide support of current and new data center infrastructure.
• Configure and troubleshoot Linux OS related issues on our servers, and resolve critical or escalated technical issues over a significant population of affected equipment.
• Diagnose and repair broken equipment, including servers, networking and storage devices.
• Install and maintain switches, routers, and other large-scale networking gear.

Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.

• Experience with installing a Network or Linux system and concepts of both.

• Experience with diagnosing and troubleshooting operating systems, computer hardware and server hardware.

Preferred qualifications:

• Classroom experience in or a practical understanding of Linux and networking, including installation, systems administration and troubleshooting.
• Experience with hardware architecture, maintenance and repair.
• Knowledge of networking, including topology and protocol concepts.
• Demonstrated ability to learn new technical skills and domains.
• Ability to work as a team member, and to collaborate with others to help resolve issues.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.