A server placement controller determines a placement location for a custom server based on infrastructure support system requirements of the custom server and based on infrastructure support system capacities at respective unoccupied slots of a server mounting structure of a data center. In some embodiments, a server placement controller may utilize a hierarchical optimization process to select a placement location for a custom server, wherein the selected placement location meets the requirements of the custom server while also optimizing use of one or more infrastructure support systems, such as power infrastructure support system, a networking infrastructure support system, a cooling infrastructure support system, or other infrastructure support systems of a data center.