Sr. Data Center Technician

Microsoft•San Antonio, TX

1d•$34 - $64

About The Position

As a Microsoft Senior Data Center Technician (SDCT), you will demonstrate expertise in standard processes and procedures for preparing, installing, diagnosing, troubleshooting, replacing, and decommissioning equipment, along with a holistic understanding of network and server equipment and their interactions. You will suggest improvements to processes and procedures to improve service quality and efficiency and provide guidance to other technicians. The role is part of Microsoft Cloud Operations & Innovation (CO+I), which delivers infrastructure and foundational technologies for online services including Bing, Office 365, Xbox, OneDrive, and Microsoft Azure. Microsoft’s global infrastructure includes more than 200 data centers in 32 countries. Environmental sustainability and optimization are priorities in its data center design and operations. You may travel to support other metros periodically, up to 25% of the time. The role requires the ability to work 12-hour shifts, including non-standard business hours that may include evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. Visa sponsorship is not available; 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 also accepted.
Ability to meet Microsoft, customer, and/or government security screening requirements, including passing the Microsoft Cloud Background Check upon hire or transfer and every two years thereafter.
Authorization to work in the United States without requiring employer visa sponsorship now or in the future.
Ability to travel periodically to support other metros, up to 25% of the time.
Ability to work 12-hour shifts, including evening, nighttime, weekend, and/or holiday assignments.
For US-based data center 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.
For US-based data center roles: normal corrected near, far, and peripheral visual acuity, and normal color vision for electrical work.
For US-based data center roles: ability to work for extended periods in elevated ambient noise, heat, and light due to 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 also 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, and deadlines; escalate compliance and operational-assurance issues to management.
Guide technicians on process and procedure changes, review Process Change Notifications, share relevant information, and provide feedback on proposed changes.
Complete assigned tickets independently in line with task-specific KPIs; assist less experienced technicians with complex work and escalate challenging tickets as appropriate.
Provide temporary task coordination and direction to other technicians when needed to help meet KPIs.
Prepare, install, diagnose, troubleshoot, replace, and decommission data center technology and equipment; maintain and share expertise regarding cabling, network, server, and storage equipment.
Share information and best practices across teams and shifts, collaborate across disciplines, and support effective handovers and work-window adjustments.
Participate in safety briefings; complete required EHS training and Task Hazard Analyses; guide technicians in safety procedures and use appropriate equipment and PPE.
Promote safety by identifying and reporting concerns, near misses, and incidents, and participate in safety observation reporting.
Complete security and data-management training, follow applicable procedures, report physical security concerns, and escort third-party vendors or IT support when needed.
Complete role-aligned training and mentor and support other technicians through on-the-job training and direct guidance; pursue supplemental training or certifications as appropriate.
Monitor KPI dashboards and seek guidance on client interactions; develop understanding of cross-functional data center processes and stakeholder partnerships.
Apply advanced diagnostics and troubleshooting to identify technical issues and replace faulty network, storage, or server components while minimizing customer or business disruption.
Monitor for conditions that could significantly affect customers or the business and immediately escalate incident risks to management.
Perform quality-control assessments of other technicians’ work and verify grounding, staging, labeling, and cabling against safety protocols, deployment standards, and Network Design Templates.
Prepare, stage, set up, and perform basic hardware startups and shutdowns according to written instructions, providing guidance to less experienced technicians and working with others when required for safety or procedure compliance.
Perform decommissions, simple and complex changes, and infrastructure refreshes with minimal-to-no guidance, following standard procedures and project timelines.
Verify compliance in handling data-bearing devices and ensure devices requiring eradication or destruction are identified and processed appropriately.
Immediately communicate and escalate technical or safety incidents, participate in bridge calls, and carry out on-site follow-up actions as directed.
Embody Microsoft’s culture and values.