Sr. Data Center Technician

Microsoft•San Antonio, TX

About The Position

As a Microsoft Senior Data Center Technician (SDCT), you will prepare, install, diagnose, troubleshoot, replace, and decommission data center equipment. You will apply a holistic understanding of how network, server, storage, and cabling equipment function and interact; provide input on process improvements; and guide other technicians. The role supports Microsoft Cloud Operations & Innovation (CO+I), which delivers infrastructure for online services including Bing, Office 365, Xbox, OneDrive, and Microsoft Azure. You will complete and coordinate assigned work, support service delivery and quality control, mentor technicians, and collaborate across shifts and disciplines. You will follow operational, security, data management, and safety procedures, and may escort vendors or IT support at data center sites. The role may require business travel to other metros up to 25% of the time and the ability to work 12-hour shifts, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. Microsoft states that this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship; candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or equivalent, and basic knowledge of computer hardware and components, plus 2+ years of experience supporting IT equipment or related technology; equivalent experience is accepted.
Ability to meet Microsoft, customer, and/or government security screening requirements, including the Microsoft Cloud Background Check upon hire or transfer and every two years thereafter.
Authorization to work in the United States without employer sponsorship now or in the future.
Ability to work 12-hour shifts, including non-standard hours that may include evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.
Ability to travel to support other metros periodically, up to 25% of the time.
For US-based roles: normal visual acuity, including near, far, and peripheral vision with correction, and normal color vision for electrical work.
For US-based roles: occasional ladder climbing; frequent stair and/or ramp climbing; prolonged standing; occasional lifting of 50 lb / 22.5 kg; and occasional pushing or pulling 50–75 lb / 22.5–34 kg with an assistive device.
Ability to work for extended periods amid elevated ambient noise, heat, and light from equipment and ventilation systems.

Nice To Haves

Associate's degree in Computer Science or a related field and/or equivalent work experience, plus 5+ years of experience supporting IT equipment or related technology; equivalent experience is accepted.
2+ years of experience working in a production, mission-critical 24x7x365 data center environment.
Applicable certifications such as ASICS/Inventory Control, CompTIA A+, Server+, or Network+, Basic Structure Cabling (BSC), Data Center Foundation Certification (DCFC), Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP), or vendor-specific network certifications.

Responsibilities

Comply with data center policies, procedures, deadlines, and operational assurance requirements; escalate compliance concerns as appropriate.
Review Process Change Notifications, share relevant information, ask questions when information is needed, and provide feedback on process changes.
Complete assigned tickets independently in alignment with task-specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and guide or assist less experienced technicians on complex work.
Escalate challenging tickets to internal business partners and, when needed, coordinate and assign tasks to technicians temporarily.
Prepare, install, diagnose, troubleshoot, replace, and decommission data center IT equipment, and provide guidance on standard procedures and the interactions among cabling, network, server, and storage systems.
Share information and best practices across shifts, support cross-discipline collaboration, and help ensure effective work handovers.
Provide and receive feedback on team effectiveness and efficiency, and participate in daily safety briefings as applicable.
Complete Environmental & Health Safety training and Task Hazard Analyses; follow safety procedures, use appropriate equipment and Personal Protective Equipment, and report safety concerns, near-misses, and incidents.
Complete security and data management training and follow related procedures; report physical security concerns and incidents, and escort third-party vendors or IT support when needed.
Complete job-focused training, mentor and train other technicians through on-the-job training, and pursue supplemental training or certifications as applicable.
Monitor personal performance through KPI dashboards and seek guidance regarding client interactions when needed.
Develop an understanding of cross-functional data center processes and support partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
Use advanced diagnostics and troubleshooting or standard procedures to identify technical issues and replace faulty network, storage, or server components while minimizing customer or business disruption.
Recognize and immediately escalate conditions that may pose significant customer or business impact or indicate imminent incident risk.
Perform quality-control assessments of other technicians' work and verify grounding, staging, labeling, and cabling against safety protocols, deployment standards, and Network Design Templates.
Identify errors in deployment standards or Network Design Templates and coordinate corrections with relevant technicians, specialists, or business partners.
Prepare, stage, set up, and perform basic hardware startups and shutdowns according to written instructions, while providing guidance to less experienced technicians as appropriate.
Perform decommissions, simple and complex changes, and infrastructure refreshes involving cabling, network, storage, and server equipment, following standard procedures with minimal to no guidance.
Verify compliance for data-bearing-device destruction and ensure devices requiring eradication or destruction are identified.
Execute project work according to organizational standards and timelines, communicate incidents promptly, participate in bridge calls, and perform directed on-site follow-up actions.