Data Center Engineer Recruiting: How to Find Cleared Talent in the U.S.

Finding skilled data center engineers is tough, and finding ones with security-cleared talent is even harder. That’s why many companies turn to Data Center Staffing Services to bridge the gap. From hyperscale operators to government contractors, Broadstaff has over a decade of experience connecting organizations with cleared engineers to keep critical infrastructure running.

Why Cleared Data Center Engineers Are So Hard to Find

The cleared talent pool has shrunk by nearly one million people since 2013. At the same time, demand for AI-ready infrastructure is growing at more than 33% each year through 2030, according to BOMA International. This rising demand, paired with a shrinking supply, makes cleared engineers harder than ever to find.

AI, edge computing, and government modernization are driving the need for more advanced facilities, while cloud providers continue to expand their government services. To compete, companies must be proactive, flexible, and strategic in how they recruit and retain cleared talent.

Here’s what makes this market so challenging:

Limited Talent Pool

Security clearances take time to obtain and maintain, often 30-180 days or longer. Many engineers simply don’t have them, and those who do are often already working for competitors who pay well to keep them.

High Competition

Every government contractor, defense company, and cleared facility is competing for the same small candidates. When a cleared data center engineer becomes available, multiple companies often make offers within days.

Compensation Challenges

Cleared professionals command salary premiums. According to ClearanceJobs’ 2024 compensation report, professionals with Top Secret/SCI clearance levels earn significantly more than their non-cleared peers. For specialized roles like data center engineering, this premium can be even higher. Companies offering inflexible salary ranges quickly lose top candidates.

Discrete Candidates

Many cleared professionals don’t advertise their status publicly on LinkedIn or job boards for security reasons. This makes them harder to find through traditional recruiting methods.

What Makes Data Center Engineers Special

Data center engineers need a unique mix of skills, including:

• Power and cooling systems – UPS units, HVAC design
• Network infrastructure – Switches, routers, fiber optics
• Server hardware – Installation, maintenance, troubleshooting
• Safety protocols – Working with high-voltage equipment
• Compliance standards – Meeting government and industry requirements

Adding clearance requirements means you’re seeking technical expertise plus the ability to work on classified projects, a rare combination.

5 Strategies to Find Cleared Data Center Talent

1. Work with Specialized Recruiters

Generic staffing firms don’t understand the cleared market. You need recruiters who know the difference between Secret and Top Secret clearances, understand polygraph requirements, and can maintain relationships with candidates.

Broadstaff’s data center recruiting team focuses specifically on critical infrastructure roles, and connecting companies with cleared engineers nationwide.

2. Target Military Veterans

Military veterans often have security clearances and technical skills. Navy nuclear technicians, Air Force communications specialists, and Army signal officers often transition well into data center roles. The key is knowing how to translate that military experience into civilian data center work.

3. Consider Clearance-Eligible Candidates

Sometimes it makes sense to hire someone who can obtain a clearance and sponsor them. This works best when you can wait for processing, the candidate has a clean background, and you can use them on non-classified work until cleared.

4. Expand Your Geographic Search

Cleared engineers cluster around areas like:

• Washington, D.C. metro: High concentration of cleared professionals
• Colorado Springs: Military and aerospace presence
• San Antonio: Cybersecurity and intelligence community
• Huntsville, Alabama: Defense and aerospace hub
• San Diego: Navy and defense contractors

Be prepared to offer relocation assistance or remote options when possible.

5. Build Long-Term Relationships

The best cleared candidates aren’t actively job searching since they’re already happy with their roles. Building relationships through networking, industry events, and ongoing outreach helps you stay top-of-mind as a potential future opportunity when they’re ready for a change.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Requiring Too Many Certifications: Don’t shrink the cleared talent pool further with excessive requirements. Focus on those who have strong core skills and experience.

• Slow Hiring Processes: If your hiring process takes months, you’ll lose candidates to faster-moving competitors. Streamline interviews and decision-making.

• Ignoring Clearance Reciprocity: Many clearances transfer between agencies. A candidate with a DoD Secret clearance might be able to work on DHS projects. Understand reciprocity rules to avoid unnecessary delays.

Ready to Build Your Cleared Data Center Team?

Finding cleared data center engineers requires more than generic recruiting, it takes specialized IT/Tech Staffing. At Broadstaff, we combine deep industry knowledge with extensive networks of cleared professionals to secure the talent needed for government contracts and critical facilities.

Contact Broadstaff today to learn how we can connect you with cleared data center engineers. Our team understands both the technical requirements and the security clearance process, making us your ideal partner for building critical infrastructure teams.