AI Server Configuration Lead

Overview:

Sprout is a growing Green company, we're a team on a mission to make a real difference in the world by upcycling leading technology, recycling unusable electronics and helping our customers achieve their sustainability goals. We believe in One Sprout, where teamwork and mutual support are paramount, driving us to win and lose together. Our commitment to Deliver Excellence means surpassing expectations every day for both internal and external customers. Integrity Matters at Sprout, with zero tolerance for dishonesty and a steadfast dedication to doing the right thing. We offer clear paths for career growth, cross-training opportunities, and a supportive community where hard work, flexibility, and respect are valued. Join us and be proud of the impact you make as part of a team dedicated to environmental sustainability.

The AI Server Configuration Lead is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of two specialized technical teams: the IT Hardware Technician (ITHT) team and the AI Server Configuration Technician team. This role combines operational leadership with deep technical expertise, ensuring that both teams perform at the highest levels of quality, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. The ideal candidate is an experienced technical leader who can drive shop floor execution, manage cross-team workflows, enforce SLAs and KPIs, and serve as the go-to subject matter expert for complex hardware processing and AI server configuration. Responsibilities: Team Leadership & Operations

• Provide daily leadership and direction to both the ITHT and AI Server Configuration Technician teams, ensuring alignment with production goals and company standards.
• Manage workload distribution, task assignments, and scheduling across both teams to optimize throughput and meet deadlines.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for technical issues, workflow blockers, and cross-team dependencies.
• Conduct regular team huddles, one-on-ones, and performance check-ins to maintain communication, morale, and accountability.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and training of new technicians across both teams.

Shop Order & Workflow Management

• Oversee the full lifecycle of shop orders — from intake and assignment through completion and documentation — across both ITHT and AI server processing functions.
• Identify and resolve bottlenecks in order flow, coordinating with receiving, processing, and shipping teams for seamless execution.
• Ensure accurate and timely recordkeeping for all shop orders using inventory and order management systems.
• Collaborate with the Operations Manager to forecast workload and align staffing and resources accordingly.

KPI & SLA Management

• Monitor and drive team performance against defined KPIs, including throughput, accuracy, cycle time, and quality metrics for both teams.
• Ensure all work is completed in compliance with customer and internal Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
• Compile and deliver daily, weekly, and monthly performance reports to the Operations Manager.
• Identify performance trends, root causes of misses, and implement corrective action plans as needed.

Customer Focus & Quality

• Champion a customer-first culture across both teams, ensuring all outputs meet or exceed quality, accuracy, and compliance standards.
• Communicate proactively with internal stakeholders regarding order status, technical findings, and any issues impacting customer deliverables.
• Lead quality audits of both ITHT and AI server processing workflows, identifying gaps and driving continuous improvement.

ITHT Technical Oversight

• Provide technical guidance on hardware evaluation, sorting, testing, data erasure, and de-manufacturing operations.
• Ensure all ITHT processes comply with data security standards including NIST 800-88 and ISO 27001.
• Oversee inventory accuracy and ensure proper use of scan guns, entry systems, and inventory management tools.

AI Server Configuration & Testing Oversight

• Lead and oversee the rebuilding, configuration, staging, and testing of enterprise-grade and AI server hardware, including Dell PowerEdge platforms and NVIDIA GPU-based systems.
• Ensure proper installation and validation of GPUs (A100, H100, RTX series, etc.), high-capacity RAM, NVMe storage, and RAID arrays.
• Oversee BIOS, iDRAC, firmware, and system controller updates, as well as OS installations (Windows Server, Linux distributions).
• Validate GPU recognition, driver installation, and CUDA/NVIDIA software stack configuration.
• Review and approve hardware configuration documentation, serial numbers, asset tags, and test results for accuracy and completeness.
• Collaborate with engineering teams on custom AI server builds and high-performance computing (HPC) requirements.

Safety & Compliance

• Enforce ESD safety protocols, hardware handling standards, and health and safety regulations across both teams and all work areas.
• Maintain clean, organized, and hazard-free work environments in all processing areas.
• Ensure all technicians follow standardized SOPs and flag deviations promptly.

Coaching & Development

• Mentor, coach, and develop technicians across both teams, building technical depth and operational skills.
• Identify high-potential team members and provide development opportunities in partnership with management.
• Develop and maintain SOPs, training guides, and best practice documentation for both ITHT and AI server functions.

Qualifications: Experience

• Minimum 5 years of experience in IT Asset Disposition (ITAD), enterprise IT, or a related technical field.
• At least 2 years in a lead, supervisory, or senior technical role managing cross-functional or multi-team environments.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience with enterprise server hardware, AI/GPU computing platforms, and ITAD processing operations.

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong knowledge of IT hardware components, server architecture, and enterprise networking fundamentals.
• Hands-on experience with AI server platforms including Dell PowerEdge and NVIDIA GPU systems (A100, H100, RTX series).
• Proficiency with BIOS/UEFI, iDRAC, firmware updates, RAID configuration, and OS installation (Windows Server, Linux).
• Understanding of CUDA, NVIDIA drivers, and GPU firmware validation.
• Familiarity with data erasure standards (NIST 800-88, ISO 27001) and storage technologies (NVMe, SAS, SATA).
• Strong KPI tracking, SLA management, and operational reporting skills.
• Excellent communication, organizational, problem-solving, and team leadership abilities.
• Proficiency in inventory management and order tracking systems.

EEO – Equal Employment Opportunity The Company is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, sex, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, gender, ethnicity, religion, national origin, ancestry, nationality, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, or on any other basis prohibited by law (except where an attribute is a bona fide occupational qualification)