Data Center Technician

About the Role

The Data Center Technician (DCT) role is a critical part of Microsoft's Cloud Operations & Innovation (CO+I) team, which powers Microsoft's cloud services including Bing, Office 365, Xbox, OneDrive, and Microsoft Azure. DCTs are responsible for the core infrastructure and foundational technologies for Microsoft's online services.

Key Responsibilities

• Datacenter Operations:
• Comply with Data Center business unit policies, procedures, and deadlines.
• Escalate issues related to compliance or operational assurance activities.
• Review Process Change Notifications (PCNs) and understand their impact on work execution.
• Provide feedback on changes to processes.
• Complete assigned tickets efficiently and in alignment with relevant Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Seek guidance on challenging or complex tickets.
• Develop an understanding of standard processes and procedures for preparing, installing, performing diagnostics, troubleshooting, replacing, and decommissioning IT datacenter technology and equipment.
• Acquire a fundamental understanding of the functions of, and interactions between, cabling infrastructure, network, server, and storage equipment.
• Datacenter Work Environment:
• Complete required security and data management training and comply with procedures.
• Escort third-party vendors or IT support on-premises.
• Report physical security access concerns and/or incidents.
• Work in environments with elevated levels of ambient noise, heat, and light.
• Contribute to a positive and effective team environment by sharing information, participating in meetings, and partnering with other teams.
• Encourage and respond to feedback for improved effectiveness and efficiency.
• Perform occasional climbing of ladders and frequent climbing of stairs and/or ramps.
• Engage in prolonged standing.
• Lift up to 25lbs / 11kg without assistance.
• Lift 25-50lbs / 11-22.5kg with lift assistance.
• Push or pull 50-75 lbs / 22.5-34kg with an assistive device.
• Maintain normal visual acuity (near, far, and peripheral with correction) and normal color vision for electrical work.
• Participate in daily safety briefings.
• Complete required Environmental & Health Safety (EHS) training and comply with safety procedures.
• Complete required Task Hazard Analysis (THAs).
• Use appropriate equipment and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Adhere to and promote a culture of safety, taking proactive action to alert others of safety concerns, near-misses, and/or incidents.
• Participate in proactive safety observation reporting processes.
• Travel up to 25% typically domestically during the workday, and occasionally domestically for overnight stays.
• Work 12-hour shifts, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Managing Service:
• Maintain awareness of KPIs through reporting dashboards.
• Develop an understanding of cross-functional Data Center processes to support partnerships.
• Complete required training aligned to job focus areas in a timely manner.
• Observe more experienced technicians for hands-on experience and on-the-job training (OJT).
• Complete additional or supplemental training to obtain or maintain relevant industry or technical certifications.
• Escalate and/or seek guidance from experienced technicians or management regarding client interactions.
• Service Delivery:
• Develop an understanding of effective execution order strategies for assigned tasks.
• Prepare, stage, set up, and perform basic startups and shutdowns for hardware according to specific written instructions and guidance.
• Perform tasks in tandem with other technicians as required by procedures and safety.
• Directly perform decommissions, simple changes (e.g., memory upgrades, OS rebuilds), and refreshes of infrastructure cabling, network, storage, and server equipment, following standard procedures.
• Process data-bearing devices (DBDs) for destruction or confirm identification for eradication/destruction.
• Immediately communicate, report, and escalate data center technical or safety-related incidents.
• Participate in bridge calls to provide incident status and execute on-site follow-up actions if necessary.
• Learn about post-execution verification of grounding, staging, labeling, and cabling to align with safety protocols and deployment standards.
• Identify and escalate errors in deployment standards or Network Design Templates (NDTs).
• Perform basic diagnostics and troubleshooting to identify causes of technical issues and replace faulty components with minimal disruption.
• Develop awareness of conditions impacting customer or business within the Data Center environment.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Core Technologies: Network equipment, Server equipment, Storage equipment, Cabling infrastructure, Hardware (racks, hard drives, switches).
• Processes & Procedures: Standard processes and procedures, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Process Change Notifications (PCNs), Task Hazard Analysis (THAs), Network Design Templates (NDTs).
• Tools & Equipment: Assistive devices for lifting and pulling.
• Safety & Compliance: Security and data management procedures/policies, Environmental & Health Safety (EHS) training, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Qualifications

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• Basic knowledge of computer hardware and components.
• OR equivalent experience.

Other Requirements

• Ability to meet Microsoft Cloud Background Check requirements upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter.
• Citizenship verification required due to citizenship-based legal restrictions supporting U.S. government agency customers. A valid passport will be used for verification.
• Must have authorization to work in the United States that does not now or in the future require employer sponsorship.
• Ability to work 12-hour shifts, including non-standard business hours (evenings, nights, weekends, holidays).
• Willingness to travel up to 25% domestically.