Team Lead & Senior Engineer Datacenter Operations & Networking
ApplyDo you want to lead a team of datacenter and network engineers and work hands-on on challenging projects? Does it excite you to help build one of the most advanced IT infrastructures in the Netherlands, ensuring that researchers and educators always have secure and fast access to crucial IT services?
Then this role as Team Lead and Senior Network Engineer might be your next step! Together with your team, you will ensure that the foundation is solid: stable, future-proof, and secure. In doing so, you directly contribute to top-tier research and education in the Netherlands.
Where you will work
SURF is the IT cooperative for Dutch education and research institutions. Together, we develop innovative digital services and solutions that make a real difference in education and research.
As Team Lead and Service Owner Datacenter Operations & Networking, you ensure that the data and compute infrastructure behind our services runs optimally. You are formally part of the Advanced Research Solutions unit, but your team is responsible for all datacenters across SURF. This means you work SURF-wide to ensure reliability, security, and innovation power in our infrastructure.
The team you will join
You will report to the Manager of Data Services, part of the Advanced Research Solutions unit. This unit delivers compute and data services and keeps them future-proof through continuous innovation. You will lead a close-knit team (currently 7 FTE) with deep expertise in datacenter networking and operations. Within the unit, you will work closely with the management team and technical leads, ensuring that technology and strategy go hand in hand.
Those who work at SURF work at a unique and open organisation. You notice this in everything: the structure of the organisation, the set-up of the project teams, the culture at our offices and the mutual atmosphere. SURF offers excellent terms of employment and takes a flexible approach to work-life balance. Employees enjoy working independently. In addition, everyone is given the space and freedom to use and develop their talents in the best and broadest way possible.
What you will do
This is a dual role: 0.5 FTE as Team Lead (including Service Owner/Product Manager) and the remaining time as Senior Networking Engineer. You will lead a team of 7 and be involved in specifying new datacenter infrastructure and architecture. You will maintain internal and external contacts to stay on top of the latest networking developments. Furthermore, you will be responsible for datacenter-specific hardware and operations, while keeping in mind your supporting role for research services. You will not shy away from leading major changes in the datacenter.
Your tasks will include:
- You will be contributing to SURF’s strategic direction by advising on datacenter and network facilities for research services.
- You will be developing a multi-year plan for the replacement and expansion of datacenter hardware such as switches, routers, and security equipment.
- You will be designing, planning, implementing, and managing the complete datacenter and network architecture.
- You will ensure professional change management, including participation in the Change Advisory Board and execution of changes.
- You will be monitoring and improving security across all datacenters, and you will keep security levels up to date.
Your skills and experience
- You have a bachelor’s or master’s degree (hbo/wo) with at least 5 years of experience as an engineer and 3 years in a leadership role.
- You have experience with teams of technical experts: you are able to keep the overview and organize effectively.
- You have knowledge of modern networking technologies (OSPF, BGP, L3VPN, EVPN, VXLAN, MLAG) and experience with Linux and network equipment (Nvidia/Mellanox, Nokia, Juniper, Fortigate).
- You have skills in scripting languages (Bash, Python) and automation tools (Ansible, Git).
- It is an advantage if you have experience with Agile, ITSM, or ITIL.
- You have strong communication skills in both Dutch and English.
Prior to starting this job, a VOG must be presented.
SURF takes pleasure in doing its recruitment itself; acquisition is therefore not appreciated.