The hard drive carrier includes a sliding bracket dimensioned to receive a hard drive, a stationary frame coupled to the sliding bracket, and a handle coupled to both the sliding bracket and the stationary frame. The handle rotates about an axis. The hard drive carrier is configured to engage with a sled at a first position while the handle is in a partially open position. The first position allows insertion of the hard drive carrier into the sled while the handle is prevented from closing. The hard drive carrier is further configured to move to a second position in the sled. The hard drive carrier transitions into a hard drive bay of the sled in the second position.