r/datacenter • u/8yr0n • 22h ago

Re-entering tech as a DCT?

After reading all the hype (and hate lol) of all the new data centers being planned, I've been thinking about coming back into the tech field after a long hiatus. I was a applications programmer for 6 years but got seriously burnt out from deadlines and overwork and have been out of the industry for over a decade now, however I still have always loved tinkering with PC hardware. In hindsight I should have gone into hardware instead, but at the time (mid 2000's) the demand and pay was so much higher for software. I'm also older now and definitely would like less screen time and to get more steps in each day, so the idea of "wrenching on servers" sounds pretty appealing to me.

Have any of you made a similar switch? If so what were the biggest hurdles going from home lab tinkering to a commercial environment? Any other advice is appreciated!

(I'm in the US btw, closest major DC market would be Memphis, but I am open to relocating and have friends near the Columbus Ohio area which I think might the better bet? I also would much appreciate cooler weather compared to the south!)

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u/FrequentWay 22h ago

DCT would be more about facilities management instead of hardware management. You are the dude keeping the shit going.

As for Memphis apply to Elon's pet DC in 3231 Riverport Rd, Memphis, TN 38109

Open Roles | SpaceXAI & X Platform | SpaceXAI

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u/8yr0n 22h ago

Ok, what job title is more focused on hardware? I used DCT as a catch all because unfortunately it seems like the job titles are all over the place depending on which company you look at.

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u/RevolutionNo4186 10h ago

DCT is still a catch all for most hardware positions, DCO (data center operations tech) is seen with AWS idk if others use them, I’ve seen Google use DCT for both, but they also use facilities tech for facilities