Senior Data Center Technician - IT Support

Microsoft • Phoenix, AZ

1d • Onsite

About The Position

As a Microsoft Senior Data Center IT Support Technician, you will provide IT support for secure access workstations (SAWs), laptops, servers, and conference-room audio/visual equipment. You will maintain an inventory of spare devices and ensure that devices have the latest updates and operating systems installed. The role supports Microsoft Cloud Operations & Innovation (CO+I), which delivers infrastructure and foundational technologies for Microsoft online services, including Bing, Office 365, Xbox, OneDrive, and Azure. Microsoft describes its data-center portfolio as more than 200 data centers in 32 countries, supporting services used by customers and businesses worldwide. The organization emphasizes employee development, inclusion, and environmental sustainability in data-center design and operations.

The technician performs and supports data-center operations, service delivery, equipment installation and troubleshooting, changes, refreshes, and decommissioning. The role includes mentoring other technicians, helping coordinate work when needed, maintaining procedural and safety compliance, and collaborating across shifts and disciplines. The position may require travel to other metropolitan areas up to 25% of the time and the ability to work 12-hour shifts, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. Visa sponsorship is not available; candidates must have U.S. work authorization that does not require 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 the Microsoft Cloud Background Check upon hire or transfer and every two years thereafter.
• Authorization to work in the United States without requiring employer sponsorship now or in the future.
• Ability to travel to other metropolitan areas periodically, up to 25% of the time.
• Ability to work 12-hour shifts, including non-standard hours that may include evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• For U.S.-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 of 50–75 lb (22.5–34 kg) with an assistive device.
• For U.S.-based data-center roles: normal visual acuity, including near, far, and peripheral vision with correction, and normal color vision for electrical work.
• For U.S.-based data-center roles: ability to work for extended periods amid elevated ambient noise, heat, and light from equipment and ventilation systems.

Nice To Haves

• Associate 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

• Provide IT support for secure access workstations, laptops, servers, and conference-room audio/visual equipment.
• Maintain an inventory of spare devices and ensure devices have the latest updates and operating systems installed.
• Follow data-center policies, procedures, deadlines, and operational assurance requirements; escalate compliance issues as appropriate.
• Review Process Change Notifications, share relevant information, assess impacts to work execution, and provide feedback on process changes.
• Complete assigned tickets independently in line with applicable key performance indicators; assist or guide less experienced technicians and escalate complex issues when needed.
• Provide guidance on preparing, installing, diagnosing, troubleshooting, replacing, and decommissioning data-center IT technologies and equipment.
• Maintain and share knowledge of interactions among cabling infrastructure, network, server, and storage equipment.
• Share information and best practices across shifts and teams, assist with cross-discipline collaboration, and support effective handovers of ticketed work.
• Participate in safety briefings, complete required safety training and hazard analyses, use appropriate equipment and personal protective equipment, and report safety concerns, near misses, or incidents.
• Follow security and data-management procedures and training requirements; escort third-party vendors or IT support when needed and report physical-access concerns.
• Complete assigned job-focus training and mentor other technicians through on-the-job training and direct guidance.
• Monitor personal performance indicators and seek guidance on client interactions when appropriate.
• Build understanding of cross-functional data-center processes and support partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Apply diagnostics and troubleshooting to identify technical issues and replace faulty network, storage, or server components while minimizing customer or business disruption.
• Recognize and promptly escalate conditions that could create significant customer or business impact or an imminent incident risk.
• Perform quality-control checks 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 internal partners.
• Prepare, stage, set up, and perform basic hardware startups and shutdowns according to written instructions; work with other technicians when procedures or safety requirements call for it.
• Perform decommissions, simple changes, complex changes, and infrastructure refreshes involving cabling, network, storage, and server equipment according to standard procedures.
• Verify that data-bearing devices are identified for eradication or destruction and that destruction procedures comply with standards.
• Execute assigned work according to organizational standards and project timelines, with appropriate stakeholder notification.
• Immediately report and escalate technical or safety incidents, participate in bridge calls, and perform on-site follow-up actions as directed.
• Contribute to improvements in service quality and support based on lessons learned.

Benefits

• Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation; specific benefits are not listed in the posting.
• The organization offers training and growth opportunities, including Career Rotation Programs, Diversity & Inclusion trainings and events, and professional certifications.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: High school or GED