Systems & Datacenter Administrator (Ops) — London

Role Overview

We are seeking a hands-on Linux Systems & Datacenter Administrator to join our Europe Operations team. You’ll be the on‑the‑ground owner for our Slough (Equinix) environment and a key contributor to our global private cloud.

The role blends Linux systems administration (Ubuntu), exceptional Windows system administration, containerized compute (LXD/LXC, some Docker), networking, and datacenter operations.

You will partner with engineering, network, and security teams to ensure reliability, performance, and change control in a 24×7, market‑facing environment.

This is a production‑oriented role: you’ll prepare, review and execute changes, troubleshoot live issues, execute maintenance windows, and continuously improve our platform through automation and rigorous documentation.

Our Environment

• Servers: Dell, HPE, Supermicro.
• Storage: LVM, software and hardware RAID (mdadm, MegaRAID, LSI, …).
• Containers: LXD/LXC (primary), some Docker.
• Networking (day‑2 ops): VLANs, LACP, ACLs, routing basics; vendors include Dell, Supermicro, Arista, Juniper, VyOS.
• Applications & Data: MySQL, Elasticsearch, Kafka, Java, Apache HTTPD, …
• Automation & IaC: Git/GitLab, Chef, Terraform; scripting with Bash/Python.
• Monitoring/Observability: Centreon, Observium (plus logs pipelines).

What You’ll Do

• Operate and improve Linux fleets (Ubuntu) in production.
• Manage LXD/LXC container platforms (no hypervisors/VM stacks)
• Provide level‑3 incident response for infrastructure issues (systems, containers, network paths, storage), restoring service within SLAs and driving post‑mortems.
• Own datacenter operations in Slough: rack/stack, cabling, optics, power planning, servers installation, console/OOB, manage inventory, RMA logistics, and vendor coordination (Equinix Smart Hands, carriers, OEMs).
• Perform day‑2 network operations on switches and firewalls (ACLs, VLANs, LAGs, routing basics), and collaborate closely with network engineering for changes.
• Automate with Chef for configuration management and Terraform for IaC on AWS where applicable. Build reliable tooling for repeatable ops (config generation, pre‑change checks, deployments, and validation).
• Contribute to change management (runbooks, maintenance windows, rollback plans) and keep documentation current (network diagrams, inventories, SOPs).
• Participate in a Follow-the-Sun operations model, coordinating with your EMEA/APAC peers.

What You’ll Bring

• Must‑have:
• 2-3+ years operating Linux (Ubuntu, CentOS, RedHat) in production environments.
• This position requires occasional on-call availability outside of standard business hours to respond to urgent or critical operational issues. Flexibility to be contacted outside regular working hours is required.
• Previous datacenter work exposure: rack/stack, structured cabling (fiber/copper), PDUs, console/OOB, vendor/Smart Hands coordination, and accurate inventory. If no prior experience, willingness to learn and work in such environments.
• Containers: exposure to LXC or Docker in a production environment and their inner workings.
• Server hardware & storage: LVM, software RAID, MegaRAID tooling, firmware/BIOS/BMC (iDRAC/iLO/IPMI), and hands‑on diagnostics and replacements.
• Networking fundamentals for day‑to‑day ops: VLANs, LACP, trunking, ACLs, static routes, BGP, DNS/DHCP, link/MTU issues; ability to execute well‑scoped changes on Dell/Arista/Juniper/VyOS under peer review.
• Automation & SCM: Bash/Python, Git/GitLab; experience with Chef or Ansible or Puppet in production.
• Clear runbook‑style writing, disciplined change control, and calm, structured troubleshooting under time pressure.
• Nice to have:
• Familiarity with Equinix processes (cross‑connects, tickets, remote hands) and carrier coordination.
• Ops exposure to MySQL, Elasticsearch, Kafka, Java services, Apache; ability to collaborate with app teams on infra‑adjacent issues.
• Experience with Centreon and Dynatrace (or equivalent monitoring/observability stacks).
• Config management/IaC depth (Ansible, Puppet, Terraform modules, Secret management), and CI pipelines in GitLab.
• Deeper networking (EVPN/VXLAN, BGP, multicast) and/or traffic engineering.

Work Hours & Travel

• From Tuesday to Saturday with standard business hours aligned to Central European Time with flexibility for maintenance windows.
• Exceptional work on Sunday for planned changes and datacenter work; comp day granted during the week.
• Travel: Twice a week in Slough Equinix datacenters, once a month in London city center, and exceptional travels outside UK

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