Lab Operations & Hardware Integration Engineer

Team Red Dog is hiring a Lab Operations & Hardware Integration Engineer for our client, a next-generation cloud platform company and Fortune 50 technology leader. This hands-on engineering role supports cutting-edge Azure node hardware across development labs and datacenter environments, combining server hardware integration, rack deployment, system bring-up, networking, troubleshooting, and automation. You’ll work directly with hardware, firmware, silicon, validation, infrastructure, and IT teams to keep complex lab systems operational and accelerate critical engineering milestones. This is an excellent opportunity for an engineer who enjoys moving between physical hardware, UART and console debugging, network configuration, Python scripting, and large-scale lab operations.

Top Required Skills (Must Haves):

1. 5+ years of experience supporting hardware development labs, datacenters, manufacturing labs, or validation environments, including hands-on deployment, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
2. Strong server hardware and rack integration experience, including hardware bring-up, cabling, deployment, break-fix, system configuration, and troubleshooting.
3. Hands-on experience with serial communications, UART interfaces, console access, debug ports, and low-level system debugging.
4. Scripting and infrastructure skills using Python, Bash, PowerShell, or similar languages, along with networking fundamentals including switches, VLANs, subnets, routing, and connectivity troubleshooting.

Opportunity Overview:

Work hands-on with cutting-edge Azure node hardware while supporting the development and validation environments behind next-generation cloud infrastructure. This role offers an unusual combination of hardware engineering, datacenter and lab operations, networking, system troubleshooting, and automation. A typical day may include setting up hardware racks, configuring network access, rebooting and configuring nodes, running validation tests, troubleshooting systems, automating repetitive workflows, and reporting results to engineering teams.

How you will make an impact:

• Instrument prototype servers and development platforms using serial consoles, UART interfaces, debug ports, and other engineering tools.
• Install, configure, cable, and validate servers, racks, networking equipment, and supporting lab infrastructure.
• Support hardware bring-up, system integration, platform validation, and engineering test activities.
• Diagnose platform, firmware, hardware, networking, and infrastructure issues throughout the development lifecycle.
• Perform break-fix activities, preventative maintenance, and ongoing system sustainment.
• Develop and maintain automation scripts using Python, Bash, PowerShell, or similar scripting languages.
• Build tools that simplify system deployment, validation, inventory tracking, test execution, data collection, and lab workflows.
• Support rack deployments, hardware installation, cable management, equipment moves, power validation, and environmental readiness.
• Manage lab inventory, spare components, consumables, development hardware, and test equipment.
• Assist with switch configuration, subnet and VLAN troubleshooting, connectivity validation, and lab network readiness.
• Partner with hardware, firmware, silicon, security, validation, networking, infrastructure, and IT teams to resolve technical issues and remove blockers.
• Maintain clear technical documentation and contribute to process improvements, operational readiness reviews, and lessons learned.
• Follow established lab safety, ESD, security, access, and hardware-handling procedures.

The expertise you bring:

• 5+ years of experience supporting hardware development labs, datacenters, manufacturing labs, system integration labs, or hardware validation environments.
• Hands-on experience with server hardware, rack integration, system bring-up, deployment, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Experience using serial communications, UARTs, console access, debug ports, and low-level system debugging techniques.
• Experience scripting with Python, Bash, PowerShell, or similar languages.
• Working knowledge of networking fundamentals, including switching, VLANs, subnets, routing, and connectivity troubleshooting.
• Strong troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and problem-solving skills across hardware and infrastructure environments.
• Ability to work effectively across engineering, operations, networking, and infrastructure teams.
• Familiarity with Linux administration and hardware validation environments is preferred.
• Experience supporting silicon development or platform validation programs is preferred.
• Experience with oscilloscopes, protocol analyzers, logic analyzers, or other engineering instrumentation is beneficial.
• Experience supporting large-scale cloud, server, AI, or datacenter hardware platforms is highly valued.
• Experience with inventory management systems, automation frameworks, or lab operations tooling is preferred.
• Ability to work fully onsite to support facility, lab maintenance, and hardware operations.
• Ability to satisfy the client’s citizenship attestation requirements.

What makes a candidate highly successful in this role:

Successful candidates are highly hands-on technical problem solvers who are comfortable taking ownership when something in the lab is not working. They can move easily between installing and troubleshooting server hardware, connecting through a UART console, diagnosing a network configuration problem, writing a Python script to automate repetitive work, and coordinating with multiple engineering teams to resolve an issue. Strong candidates are proactive, organized, technically curious, and able to identify blockers quickly rather than simply escalating them. Performance will be measured through SLA delivery, responsiveness, quality of work, and the ability to resolve issues efficiently while keeping critical lab environments operational.

Why Work with Team Red Dog?

At Team Red Dog, people are at the heart of everything we do. Our commitment to personalized service and our deep experience in matching talented professionals with meaningful roles at some of the world’s most inspiring companies is what sets us apart. We take the time to understand your unique skills, strengths, and passions—because we believe your career should reflect who you are.

Whether you're looking to grow, pivot, or simply find a place where your work truly matters, we offer opportunities that empower you to make a positive impact. With excellent benefits, a supportive team, and a role where you can thrive while doing what you love, we’re here to help you take the next step with confidence. Join us—and discover what it means to be genuinely valued in your career.

Generous benefits package for qualified employees includes:
Health insurance (medical, dental, vision, and life)
Employer-matched 401K plan
Paid Time Off
Flexible Paid Holiday Benefit

Estimated Start Date: Immediately
Location: Fully onsite – Redmond, WA
Job #2584
Job Type and Estimated Duration: W2 contract opportunity through June 30, 2027, with the potential to extend up to 18 months total, subject to performance, budget, and client discretion.
Rate: $64–$69/hour

Team Red Dog is committed to providing equal opportunities to everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or any other characteristic. If you need accommodation during the recruitment process, reach out to hr@teamreddog.com, and we will work to ensure an accessible experience. We strictly adhere to federal, state, and local laws to maintain a workplace free from discrimination and harassment.

We offer competitive compensation aligned with U.S. industry standards, and our final offer will reflect the candidate’s location, job-specific skills, experience, and knowledge.

All applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for sponsorship.

Team Red Dog is an E-Verify employer.

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a reference and background check.

Please no solicitations from C2C or recruiting firms.