Senior Data Center Technician

Role overview

Microsoft is seeking a Senior Data Center Technician to take ownership of advanced technical work inside a large-scale cloud operations environment. In this role, you will handle the preparation, installation, diagnostics, troubleshooting, replacement, and retirement of data center equipment, while also understanding how servers and network hardware work together across the infrastructure stack. You will help refine established procedures where needed to improve service quality and operational efficiency, and you will support and guide fellow technicians in day-to-day work.

This role sits within Cloud Operations & Innovation (CO+I), the team behind the infrastructure that supports services such as Bing, Office 365, Xbox, OneDrive, and Azure. Microsoft’s data center footprint spans more than 200 data centers across 32 countries, operating millions of servers and supporting more than 1 billion customers and 20 million businesses in over 90 countries. The organization also places strong focus on sustainability, operational optimization, and a culture built on respect, integrity, accountability, inclusion, and continuous growth.

CO+I also offers learning and advancement opportunities, including career rotation programs, diversity and inclusion training and events, and professional certification support.

What you will do

• Use advanced diagnostic and troubleshooting methods to quickly determine the root cause of technical issues.
• Carry out decommissioning activities for complex hardware changes and systems with multiple dependencies, including full rack upgrades, while following standard operating procedures.
• Coordinate and delegate installation, deployment, replacement, staging, startup, and shutdown tasks for equipment such as racks, hard drives, and switches, while guiding technicians through the work.
• Help ensure work is completed to quality standards, align downtime with stakeholders, and keep relevant teams updated to reduce follow-up rework.
• Support technicians with complex tasks and escalate issues when necessary.
• Verify that post-work checks are completed and that grounding, staging, labeling, and cabling meet safety requirements, deployment standards, and planned network design tasks.
• Confirm security requirements during decommissioning and manage data-bearing devices for destruction.
• Monitor KPIs through dashboards and performance discussions to stay aware of operational results.
• Coach and mentor technicians through direct instruction and on-the-job training.
• Participate in and support daily safety briefings and required safety training, and guide others on PPE, equipment handling, lifting, electrical hazards, and ladder or rolling-stair use.
• Take personal ownership of service quality, completeness, and the end-user experience.
• Support and reflect Microsoft’s culture and values in daily work.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent, along with foundational knowledge of computer hardware and components.
• Prior experience supporting IT equipment or similar technology.
• Ability to satisfy Microsoft, customer, and/or government security screening requirements.
• Willingness to complete the Microsoft Cloud background check at hire or transfer and then every two years thereafter.
• Preferred: associate degree in computer science or another subject, or equivalent practical experience.
• Preferred: experience in a production, mission-critical, 24x7x365 data center setting.
• Preferred: familiarity with certifications such as ASICS/Inventory Control, CompTIA A+/Server+/Network+, Basic Structure Cabling (BSC), Data Center Foundation Certification (DCFC), Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP), or vendor-specific network certifications.

Additional information

This position will remain open for at least 5 days, and applications will continue to be accepted until the role is filled.

Equal opportunity and accommodation

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants without regard to protected characteristics under applicable law. Reasonable accommodations and religious accommodations may be available during the application process where required.