How Do I Get a Job at a Data Center?

When people hear “data center,” they think about computers.

But before those computers can run, someone has to build the building, install the power, move heavy equipment, make the lifts, and keep the jobsite safe.

Data centers need electricians, riggers, signal persons, safety professionals, fire watch workers, equipment operators, and other skilled craft workers.

Texas data-center construction is creating new opportunities for workers who are ready to learn a trade, build experience, and earn the certifications employers are asking for. Demand for electricians is especially strong. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects about 81,000 electrician openings each year through 2034.

So, how do you get started?

Pick the Job You Want to Work Toward

You do not have to know how to work on computers to work at a data center.

You need to choose the part of the jobsite that fits your skills.

Data Center Rigger

Data centers use heavy electrical and mechanical equipment. That equipment must be unloaded, moved, lifted, and placed correctly.

Riggers may help move generators, transformers, switchgear, cooling equipment, structural materials, and other heavy loads. Signal persons help crane operators move those loads safely.

At Rig Right Texas, we offer:

• NCCER Basic Rigger training for workers who need to learn rigging basics.
• NCCER Advanced Rigger preparation for experienced workers preparing for their Advanced Rigger assessment.
• Signal Person assessments and practical exams.
• Hands-on training and assessment support.

Basic Rigger is a good place to start when you are new. Advanced Rigger is for workers who already have experience and are ready for more responsibility.

OSHA requires qualified riggers for certain lifting work. Employers may also require specific experience, practical skills, crane knowledge, or additional certifications.

Data Center Safety

Large data-center projects may have hundreds of workers from different crafts working at the same time.

Someone has to complete inspections, lead safety meetings, review JSAs, document hazards, investigate incidents, and make sure workers follow site rules.

Our Rig Right Texas Safety Program includes:

• OSHA 10
• OSHA 30
• CPR and First Aid
• CSSO pathway support
• CSST pathway support
• CSSS pathway support
• Hazard recognition
• JSA and pre-task planning
• Incident investigation basics
• Safety meetings and jobsite expectations

We also offer Field Safety and Safety Technology options. NCCER’s Field Safety program covers hazard communication, electrical safety, heavy equipment, forklift safety, and crane safety.

This program is built for workers who want to become more useful on the job, foremen who want stronger safety knowledge, and people working toward safety coordinator or safety technician positions.

Data Center Electrician

Power is one of the biggest parts of a data center.

Electricians install, test, maintain, and repair electrical equipment. Data centers depend on switchgear, battery systems, backup power, generators, panels, controls, lighting, cooling systems, and electrical distribution.

Current Texas openings include:

• Electrical Apprentice with T5 Data Centers in Red Oak
• Electrical Apprentice with T5 Data Centers in Midlothian
• Journeyman Electrical position with T5 Data Centers in Midlothian
• Critical Electrician for Data Center Facilities with Tesla in Austin

The T5 apprentice openings ask for at least one year of trade experience or formal vocational training. Their journeyman position asks for at least five years of experience and the required electrical licensing.

Rig Right Texas now offers NCCER Industrial Electrical and Core training for working adults.

The program includes:

• NCCER Core
• Industrial electrical instruction
• Hands-on practice
• Small class support
• Online and in-person training

Electrical training can help you begin building trade knowledge, but it does not replace the work hours, apprenticeship requirements, or state and local licenses an employer may require.

Workers who already have electrical experience can also schedule NCCER assessments for:

• Commercial Electrician
• Industrial Electrician
• Industrial Maintenance E&I Technician
• Power Generation Maintenance Electrician
• Power Line Worker

View our NCCER assessment options.

Do Data Centers Need Fire Watch Workers?

Data-center construction can include welding, cutting, grinding, and other hot work.

A fire watch worker watches the work area for sparks, smoke, fire hazards, and unsafe conditions during and after hot work.

Our Fire Watch training can help workers understand basic fire prevention, hazard recognition, emergency response, and jobsite responsibilities.

Fire Watch may be a starting position for someone who wants to get on an industrial or construction site, gain experience, and continue adding certifications.

View current Rig Right Texas classes.

What If I Already Know the Trade?

You may not need a full class.

Rig Right Texas is an NCCER Accredited Training and Assessment Center. We offer craft assessments in English and Spanish, computer testing, hands-on practical exams, and testing for many construction trades.

You can test in areas including:

• Rigging
• Signal Person
• Industrial Electrical
• Commercial Electrical
• Power Generation
• Heavy Equipment
• Ironwork
• Pipefitting
• Millwright
• Boilermaking
• Safety
• Additional industrial crafts

Schedule an NCCER assessment.

What If I Failed an NCCER Test?

Do not keep taking the same test without knowing what you missed.

Bring us your NCCER score report. Our Prescription Training focuses on the modules where you need more work.

You can review the material, get hands-on help when available, and prepare before testing again.

This option is made for experienced workers who know the trade but need help passing one or more sections of their assessment.

Contact Rig Right Texas about Prescription Training.

How to Apply for Data Center Jobs

Start by searching for positions like:

• Data center electrical apprentice
• Data center electrician
• Mission-critical electrician
• Data center rigger
• Rigging superintendent data center
• Data center safety specialist
• Data center safety coordinator
• EHS data center construction
• Critical facilities technician
• Fire watch construction

Do not only search the names of large technology companies.

Many data-center workers are hired by general contractors, electrical contractors, safety companies, equipment-moving companies, and other contractors working on the project. Current openings from Jacobs, CrossSafety, Cupertino Electric, and T5 Data Centers show the different companies involved in this work.

Read every job posting carefully. Look for the certifications, experience, license, work schedule, travel, and physical requirements.

Then make sure your résumé clearly lists:

• Your NCCER number
• Your current NCCER credentials
• OSHA training
• CPR and First Aid
• Jobsite experience
• Tools and equipment you have used
• Any leadership or safety experience
• Whether you are willing to travel
• Whether you can work days, nights, or overtime

Start Building the Qualifications Now

A certification does not guarantee that a company will hire you.

It gives you something real to put on your résumé and can help show employers that you are serious about the trade.

Rig Right Texas offers training and testing for workers at different levels:

• Start with Basic Rigger.
• Prepare for Advanced Rigger.
• Add Signal Person.
• Build safety knowledge.
• Complete Fire Watch training.
• Begin Industrial Electrical and Core.
• Test in a craft you already know.
• Get Prescription Training before a retest.

We have locations in Portland and Hubbard, Texas, with options built around working adults.

View Rig Right Texas classes and assessments.

Call or text 361-600-8957 and tell us what type of data-center job you want. We will help you choose the program that makes sense for where you are starting.