Senior Data Center Technician

As a Microsoft Data Center Technician (DCT), you will stage, set up and perform hardware deployments. In addition, you will also perform troubleshooting and diagnostics on equipment, as well as perform hardware decommissions for simple changes and refreshes following Standard Operating Procedures. This opportunity will allow you to deepen your understanding of Data Center standard processes and procedures, develop mentoring skills while providing guidance to peers, familiarizing yourself with security and data management procedures, and accelerate your career growth in the process.

Microsoft’s Cloud Operations & Innovation (CO+I) is the engine that powers our cloud services. As a CO+I DCT, you will perform a key role in delivering the core infrastructure and foundational technologies for Microsoft’s online services including Bing, Office 365, Xbox, OneDrive, and the Microsoft Azure platform. As a group, CO+I is focused on the personal and professional development of all employees and offers training and growth opportunities including Career Rotation Programs, Diversity & Inclusion training and events, and professional certifications.

Our infrastructure is comprised of a large global portfolio of more than 200 Data Centers in 32 countries and millions of servers. Our foundation is built upon and managed by a team of subject matter experts working to support services for more than 1 billion customers and 20 million businesses in over 90 countries worldwide.

With environmental sustainability and optimization at the forefront of our data center design and operations, we continue to grow and evolve as we meet the ever-changing business demands that hold Microsoft as a world-class cloud provider.

Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.

Responsibilities

• Organize a team of technicians to ensure smooth day-to-day operations.
• Oversee ticket queue and ensuring no SLA breaches.
• Act as the primary point of contact for Managers in daily operations.
• Provide coaching, feedback, and development opportunities to team members.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and stakeholders to escalate tasks and remove blockers.
• Apply advanced diagnostic and troubleshooting expertise to quickly identify the cause(s) of issues.
• Decommission hardware for complex changes and/or systems with complex interactions (e.g., upgrading entire racks) following standard procedures.
• Delegate hardware installation, deployment, and/or replacement work to technicians while providing expert guidance for preparing, staging, setting up, and performing startups and shutdowns (e.g., racks, hard drives, switches).
• Ensure quality execution as defined by organizational standards, coordinating downtime, and keeping relevant stakeholders informed of work status to minimize downstream rework.
• Ensure that technicians are performing post-execution quality checks and verifying that grounding, staging, labeling, and cabling are set up in compliance with safety protocols, deployment standards, and planned Network Design Tasks (NDTs).
• Verify security compliance for decommissions and processes data-bearing devices for destruction.
• Maintain an awareness of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) through dashboards and/or monthly performance discussions.
• Train and mentor technicians through on-the-job training and by providing direct guidance on specific tasks.
• Attend, conduct, or assist in conducting daily safety briefings, completes required safety training, provides guidance to technicians to facilitate compliance with safety procedures (e.g.,Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) usage, equipment use, lifting, electrical hazards, ladder/rolling stair use).
• Has pride and a sense of accountability for the service quality, completeness, and resulting user experience.
• Embodies our culture and values.

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent and basic knowledge of computer hardware and components AND relevant experience supporting IT equipment or related technology.
• Advanced hands-on experience in data centre operations, excluding electrical and networking tasks.

Background Check Requirements:

Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements are required for this role. These requirements include, but are not limited to the following specialized security screenings:

• Microsoft Cloud Background Check: This position will be required to pass the Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter.

While not required, we also look for the following Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate degree in computer science or other field and/or equivalent work experience.
• Extensive experience supporting IT equipment or related technology.
• Industry-aligned exposure in a production-grade, mission-critical data centre environment operating 24x7x365.
• Applicable certifications: CompTIA (A+, Server+, Network+), Basic Structure Cabling (BSC), Data Center Foundation Certification (DCFC), Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP), Vendor-Specific Network Certifications.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request via the Accommodation request form.

Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work.

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