NIKITHA PATEL VALASALA
Aurora,IL
Summary
Results-driven Data Center Operations and People Leader with experience managing teams of 15+ technicians in 24/7 mission-critical environments. Proven ability to lead daily operations, prioritize trouble-ticket queues, develop employees, coordinate on-call coverage, manage performance, and deliver infrastructure projects while maintaining safety, quality, availability, and customer service standards. Strong technical background in server hardware diagnostics, Linux/UNIX administration, networking, optical infrastructure, break/fix operations, automation, incident management, and root-cause analysis. Recognized for building high-performing teams, improving operational workflows, and coordinating cross-functional responses during complex technical events.
Overview
1
1
Certification
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Site Manager
HCL America - Client Meta
Aurora, Illinois
08.2025 - Current
- Managed daily operations for a team of over 15 technicians in a mission-critical environment.
- Assigned and prioritized trouble tickets based on business impact and technician expertise.
- Trained and mentored new technicians, providing hands-on coaching and career development support.
- Acted as primary escalation contact for complex issues, driving swift root cause analysis.
- Collaborated with engineering and operations teams to execute infrastructure projects on time.
- Tracked operational metrics, implementing continuous improvements for enhanced service delivery.
- Led incident response calls during critical events, ensuring effective communication with stakeholders.
- Oversaw inventory control and logistics to maintain uninterrupted data center operations.
PROJECT LEAD
HCL America
Ashburn, VA
09.2024 - 07.2025
- Led deployment and migration projects for large-scale optical network infrastructure, ensuring integration with existing networks.
- Directed cross-functional teams to coordinate resource planning and execution, minimizing downtime.
- Standardized processes across multiple data centers to enhance consistency and accelerate project delivery.
- Managed migration of legacy components to next-generation hardware, increasing network capacity and reliability.
- Oversaw quality assurance activities using internal tools to ensure successful deployments.
- Collaborated with sourcing teams to track material shipments and resolve provisioning issues for critical hardware availability.
- Implemented continuous improvement initiatives based on lessons learned from previous deployments.
- Communicated project status and risks effectively to stakeholders through regular updates and coordination meetings.
Data Center Engineer
Verizon
04.2023 - 05.2024
- Configured and deployed DWDM line systems, ensuring calibration verification and BERT testing accuracy.
- Installed and commissioned optical devices, including Ciena and Infinera, in new POPs and data centers.
- Analyzed network performance to diagnose outages and latency issues effectively.
- Executed end-to-end Ethernet/IP service testing, validating BGP, OSPF, VLAN, and CFM protocols.
- Utilized Spirent and internal test tools for link validation, latency assessment, and throughput benchmarking.
- Collaborated with team members to enhance reliability of services across data center operations.
- Monitored server performance metrics, including CPU usage and network traffic, to ensure optimal function.
- Developed Python and Bash scripts to automate system health checks and log collection tasks.
Network Engineer
Infosun Technologies
06.2021 - 02.2022
- Performed static and dynamic routing configuration and troubleshooting.
- Implemented VLAN, SNMP, and network monitoring tools for performance assessment.
- Managed Cisco ASR 1K, Nexus 9K, ISR 2900, and security devices.
- Configured routers, switches, firewalls and other hardware to deploy and manage LAN, WAN and wireless networks.
- Tracked network and telephony devices for performance and load threshold metering.
- Used Linux-based tools and CLI utilities to support network troubleshooting and device configuration workflows.
- Created Python and Bash scripts to automate configuration backups, device reachability testing, and network inventory tasks.
Education
Masters - Computer Technology
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, ILBachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering
Jawaharlal Nehru University
IndiaSkills
- TCP/IP
- OSPF
- BGP
- MPLS
- VLANs
- VPNs
- DWDM
- ROADM
- COADM
- Amplifiers
- Transponders
- Cisco (6500, 3750, Nexus 9K)
- Juniper SRX
- Arista
- Infinera
- Ciena
- Cisco ASA
- ISE
- Zscaler
- Palo Alto IPSEC and SSL VPN
- Wireshark
- Cisco ACS
- Optical networking
- Deployment processes
- Technical documentation
- Adept in scheduling
- Risk analysis
- Worksite safety
- Mentoring
- Team motivation
- Project development
- Project feedback data
- Site supervision
- Project management
- Cross-functional coordination
Leadership & Operations
- Project management, team motivation, cross-functional coordination
- Technical documentation, scheduling, risk analysis, site supervision
- Training & mentoring
Certification
- CCNA
- CCNP
- CIENA
- PMP
Timeline
Site Manager
HCL America - Client Meta
08.2025 - Current
PROJECT LEAD
HCL America
09.2024 - 07.2025
Data Center Engineer
Verizon
04.2023 - 05.2024
Network Engineer
Infosun Technologies
06.2021 - 02.2022
Masters - Computer Technology
Eastern Illinois University
Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering
Jawaharlal Nehru University