Server Onboarding Specialist

Vultr is seeking an Onboarding Specialist to join our Server Onboarding team responsible for bringing newly racked CPU and GPU servers into production. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, process-driven, and comfortable working hands-on with server hardware in a fast-paced data center environment.

In this role, you will be the first-line person to onboard new CPU and GPU hosts at our data center locations, following established runbooks to take servers from racked hardware through inventory, imaging, configuration, activation, and handoff to validation. You will execute and troubleshoot existing onboarding workflows, coordinate with upstream teams to resolve blockers, and keep the onboarding pipeline moving through high-volume server deployments. This is your opportunity to play a direct, hands-on role in expanding Vultr’s global bare metal and GPU infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities

• Bring newly racked CPU and GPU servers from hardware handoff through full provisioning and configuration to production readiness
• Configure and verify out-of-band management (IPMI/BMC) on new servers, including BIOS settings, RAID/JBOD modes, and firmware updates
• Perform network-based OS provisioning (PXE booting, automated imaging) and troubleshoot common imaging failures across diverse hardware
• Run and monitor configuration management tools (e.g., Puppet) on newly provisioned servers to verify clean, complete configuration.
• Triage and document dead-on-arrival (DOA) servers, failed components, and RMA candidates, performing basic hardware troubleshooting and coordinating with on-site technicians for physical remediation.
• Coordinate with upstream teams (networking, storage, provisioning, validation) to resolve blockers and keep the onboarding pipeline moving.
• Maintain inventory accuracy in fleet management tools — switch assignments, rack locations, BMC credentials, disk inventory, and GPU population.
• Maintain and follow established onboarding runbooks and standard operating procedures, documenting issues and workarounds for future process improvement.

Work Schedule

• A rotating 4-day, 10-hour shift schedule, coordinating with team members to maintain continuous onboarding coverage.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in Linux systems administration. (CentOS, Debian, Ubuntu)
• Familiarity with IPMI, BMC, iDRAC, or equivalent out-of-band management interfaces, with comfort working with server hardware, BIOS configuration, RAID/JBOD modes, firmware updates, and basic hardware troubleshooting.
• Experience with PXE booting and automated OS provisioning workflows, with working knowledge of basic networking concepts — DHCP, VLANs, IPv4/IPv6
• Familiarity with configuration management tools (e.g., Puppet) and willingness to run and troubleshoot existing automation rather than author new automation.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for tracking progress in shared spreadsheets, ticketing systems, and team channels.
• Familiarity with scripting languages such as Bash, Python, or similar.
• Comfortable working in high-volume deployment environments with remote hands support.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.

Compensation

$75,000 - $80,000

This salary can vary based on location, years of experience, background and skill set.