SkillBridge - Data Center Technician - Trainee - Cohort Q1' 2027

Equinix; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 59,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

Equinix is offering a SkillBridge opportunity for active-duty service members or military spouses to gain hands-on experience in data center operations. Trainees will support routine tasks related to customer installations, infrastructure maintenance, and service delivery within IBX data centers.

Seeking individuals nearing separation or looking to begin a technology career, with the program focused on real-world exposure and learning through structured training plans and cross-functional

Qualifications

• Active-duty military member or Military Spouse approved for SkillBridge or MSCAP participation.
• Technical or Non-Technical MOS, NEC, or AFSC.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 2–4 years of related technical or data center experience.
• Strong understanding of SOPs and basic installation/test methodologies.
• Ability to work cross-functionally, document work clearly, and engage with customers professionally.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, hands-on environment.

Responsibilities

• Queue Management & Reporting: Manage and prioritize work orders; collaborate to resolve tickets; comprehensive reporting and documentation.
• Installations: Perform rack-and-stack tasks; support cable trays, cabinets, fiber circuits; identify capacity constraints.
• CrossConnect Work: Execute installs, modifications, terminations, and testing of crossconnects.
• Testing & Troubleshooting: Support L1–L3 testing and certification; troubleshoot circuits and escalate complex issues.
• Stakeholder Partnership: Monitor materials, provide escalated support, assist in alarms; back up security tasks.
• Customer Management: Deliver timely order fulfillment; onsite access and deployment coordination; manage expectations.
• Projects: Coordinate with team members and vendors; QA checks on new installs and deployments.
• Training & Evaluation: Follow training plan; mid-term and final evaluations.

Skills

MOS/AFSC

Cross-functional

SOPs

Documentation

Customer communication

Fast-paced

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Who are we?

Equinix is the world's digital infrastructure company, shortening the path to connectivity to enable the innovations that enrich our work, life and planet.

A place where bold ideas are welcomed, human connection is valued, and everyone has the opportunity to shape their future.

You’ll work across teams, influence key decisions, and help shape the path forward. You’ll find belonging, purpose, and a team that welcomes you-because when you feel valued, you’re empowered to do your best work.

FORMILITARY ACTIVE DUTY PERSONNEL or MILITARY SPOUSES ONLY

Position Summary

Equinix Emerging Talent, Military Program provides service members with transition assistance to the civilian workforce. This is part of the DoW SkillBridge Program, offering transitioning service members hands-on experience in Equinix’s data center operations. Trainees will support routine and semi-routine tasks related to customer installations, infrastructure maintenance, and service delivery within the IBX data centers.

Are you a military service member within or nearing your 180-day window for separation from active duty? Are you a military spouse wanting to engage a technology career? If this is you, then Equinix has a unique opportunity to help kick-start the next chapter in your professional life.

Please note: This program is exclusively for Military Spouse Fellows or Active-duty U.S. military personnel transitioning out of the military to the civilian workforce.

Job Summary

Applies solid knowledge of standard operating procedures to complete moderately complex tasks and resolve issues with sound judgment. Supports daily operations, collaborates with crossfunctional teams, and contributes to process improvements within the data center environment.

Key Responsibilities

Queue Management & Reporting

• Manage and prioritize work orders, ensuring timely execution of moderately complex requests

• Collaborate with crossfunctional teams to resolve customer tickets efficiently

• Complete required reporting with accuracy; support adhoc reporting needs

• Maintain detailed and clear documentation of all activities

• Update local asset databases and operational systems

• Identify workflow gaps and recommend process enhancements

Installations

• Perform moderately complex rackandstack installations and follow installation plans

• Support installation of cable trays, cabinets, fiber circuits, and other infrastructure components

• Identify capacity constraints and elevate as needed

• Conduct quality checks on installations and onsite support tasks; recommend improvements

• Assist with tape changes and backup support functions

CrossConnect Work

• Execute moderately complex crossconnect installs, modifications, terminations, and testing

• Install, test, and verify various circuit types (e.g., switched, multiplexed)

Testing & Troubleshooting

• Support Layer 1-3 testing and certification activities

• Troubleshoot moderately difficult circuits; elevate advanced issues when required

• Partner directly with customers to resolve technical issues and recommend solutions

Stakeholder Partnership

• Monitor materials and stock levels; proactively notify appropriate teams of needs

• Provide escalated work order support and assist in alarm dispatch

• Offer occasional backup support for security functions

Customer Management

• Deliver highquality service through timely execution of orders and changes

• Act as onsite support for customer access, escorting, and operational needs.

• Serve as pointofcontact for moderately complex customer requests or escalations

• Set clear expectations for deployment timelines and upgrades

Projects

• Partner with team members to support project tasks

• Coordinate vendor access and activities

• Conduct quality assurance checks on new installs and deployments

Training & Team Support

• Complete assigned training on schedule

• Provide informal guidance to junior team members and new hires when needed

Learning Objectives

• Deepen technical expertise in data center infrastructure and operations

• Gain experience in structured cabling, network testing, and troubleshooting

• Enhance customer service and communication skills in a technical environment

• Understand project coordination and cross-functional collaboration

Qualifications

• Active-duty military member or Military Spouse approved for SkillBridge or MSCAP participation

• Technical or Non-Technical MOS, NEC, or AFSC

• High school diploma or equivalent

• 2-4 years of related technical or data center experience

• Strong understanding of standard operating procedures and basic installation/test methodologies

• Ability to work crossfunctionally, document work clearly, and engage with customers professionally

• Comfortable working in a fastpaced, handson environment

Training & Evaluation

• Interns will follow a customized Education/Training Plan

• Mid-Term and end-of-program evaluations will be conducted by the supervisor

• Final evaluation will assess learning outcomes and program effectiveness

For a successful conversion to a full-time employee, the targeted pay range for this position in the following location is / locations are:

United States - DA11 Dallas : 53,600 - 80,400 USD / Annual

United States - AT1 Atlanta : 53,600 - 80,400 USD / Annual

United States - MI1 Miami : 53,600 - 80,400 USD / Annual

United States - SV12 Silicon Valley : 64,300 - 96,500 USD / Annual

United States - LA4 Los Angeles : 59,000 - 88,400 USD / Annual

United States - CH4 Chicago : 59,000 - 88,400 USD / Annual

United States - NY3 New York City : 59,000 - 88,400 USD / Annual

United States - DE2 Denver : 53,600 - 80,400 USD / Annual

United States - SE3 Seattle : 59,000 - 88,400 USD / Annual

United States - DC12 Washington DC : 59,000 - 88,400 USD / Annual

Equinix is committed to ensuring that our employment process is open to all individuals, including those with a disability. If you are a qualified candidate and need assistance or an accommodation, please let us know by completing this form.

Equinix is an Equal Employment Opportunity and, in the U.S., an Affiliated Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to unlawful consideration of race, color, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, place of birth, citizenship, sex, pregnancy / childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or domestic partnership status, age, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, political / organizational affiliation, status as a victim or family member of a victim of crime or abuse, or any other status protected by applicable law.

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