Data Center Technician - 2027 Internship

Amazon Inc.; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 112,000 - 156,000; Full time

Job summary

Amazon Web Services in Cape Town invites you to join a six-month full-time Data Center Technician Intern program on site. This internship could lead to a full-time role based on performance and business needs.

You will diagnose and repair server hardware and network issues, shadow experienced AWS technicians, document procedures, and learn to operate within SLAs while collaborating with cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Completed or due to complete before internship end date a higher education qualification (NQF 4–6) or Bachelor's in IT/related field.
• Professional English proficiency, both written and verbal.
• Ability to work well in a team with strong time management skills.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot server hardware with AWS technicians.
• Meet SLAs for assigned trouble tickets.
• Shadow AWS technicians during network troubleshooting to build diagnostic skills.
• Replace media in servers as guided by AWS.
• Interact with on-site third-party vendors and contractors.
• Learn to install equipment and create documentation.

Skills

Teamwork

Time management

Troubleshooting

English proficiency

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in IT or related field

Tools

Linux basics

Networking basics

Job description

At Amazon Web Services (AWS), we are working to be the most customer-centric company on earth. To get there, we need exceptionally talented, bright, and driven people. Are you ready to embrace the challenge? Come build the future with us.

This is a unique opportunity to work in some of the most cutting-edge data centers in the world. Amazon data centers are large-scale, high-density facilities where you will help change the face of cloud technology in the region — and your work will directly impact millions of customers.

This internship is designed as a potential pathway to full-time employment. Interns who demonstrate strong performance throughout their internship may be considered for a full-time Data Center Technician position, subject to available roles and business needs.

Who Should Apply

We welcome applications from:

• Students who have completed — or due to complete before the internship end date — a higher education qualification (National Qualifications Framework level 4 to 6) or a Bachelor's degree in a relevant technical field such as Information Technology, Computer Hardware Repair, or similar

About the Role

As a Data Center Technician Intern, you will work as part of the Operations team, whose primary responsibility is the maintenance and upkeep of the data center's computer and network infrastructure. This position involves hardware and network diagnostics followed by physical repair.

You will be exposed to both independent work and team-based collaboration. Prioritization, organizational skills, effective communication, and the ability to react quickly are critical to being successful.

What You Will Do

You will provide our internal teams with infrastructure-related support, resolving tickets related to hardware (motherboards, Random Access Memory, Central Processing Units, Graphics Processing Units, and more) and networking (link-down events, optics replacements, switch replacements, and more).

In addition to hardware and network repair, you will learn how to install equipment, create documentation, innovate solutions, and fix complex problems within the data center environment.

Your day-to-day duties include:

• Troubleshooting server hardware alongside experienced AWS technicians
• Meeting Service Level Agreements (SLAs) against assigned trouble tickets
• Shadowing AWS technicians during network troubleshooting to build your diagnostic skills
• Replacing media (Solid State Drives and Hard Disk Drives) in accordance with AWS Data Tech guidance
• Performing regular server hardware repairs (drives, motherboards, and other components) under the guidance of experienced technicians
• Interacting with third-party vendors and contractors working on site
• A day in the life: Watch a day in the life of a Data Center Technician

Internship Structure

Amazon internships are full-time (40 hours per week) for six consecutive months, starting in March/April 2027. This position requires the intern to report to work on site daily. Intern schedules are typically day schedules, Monday through Friday.

Please note that a full-time Data Center Technician position could involve day, evening, or weekend shifts and on-call rotations. Candidates should be willing and able to commit to shift work upon transitioning to a full-time position.

Amazon does not sponsor immigration for this role.

South Africa Employment Equity Requirements

• Be a South African citizen with a valid Identity Document
• Unemployed before joining the internship program.
• Age requirement: below 35 years
• Must have completed a higher education qualification in a related field (Minimum NQF level 4-6 qualification)
• Qualification must be from an accredited institution of higher education

Diverse Experiences

AWS values diverse experiences. Even if you do not meet all of the preferred qualifications and skills listed below, we encourage you to apply. If your career is just starting, has not followed a traditional path, or includes alternative experiences, do not let that stop you from applying.

Your Career at Amazon — A Universe of Opportunity

At Amazon, your career is not a straight path. It is a journey you build as you go.

From your first day as an intern, you will own real work that matters. You will diagnose and repair the servers and networks that keep AWS running for millions of customers. Your mentors and teammates will champion your growth, helping you build skills you did not know existed — and you will see your work come to life at a massive scale.

Impact. Your work shapes the infrastructure that millions of customers rely on every day. Every server you repair and every network issue you resolve keeps the cloud running.

Action. You will move fast, learn by doing, and solve real problems from day one. Your ideas do not get stuck in approval chains — they get tested, refined, and put into practice.

Curiosity. Every project teaches you something new. You will apply what you learned in the classroom to real challenges and explore different teams, technologies, and career paths within Amazon.

Mentorship and career growth. You will start with structured onboarding and get paired with experienced mentors. Our team is dedicated to supporting new members in an environment that celebrates knowledge sharing. Projects and tasks are assigned in a way that leverages your strengths and helps you further develop your skill set. Your journey here is yours to shape.

About the team

AWS Infrastructure Services owns the design, planning, delivery, and operation of all AWS global infrastructure. We are the people who keep the cloud running. We support all AWS data centers and all of the servers, storage, networking, power, and cooling equipment that ensure our customers have continual access to the innovation they rely on.

You will join a diverse team of engineers, supply chain specialists, security experts, operations managers, and other vital roles. You will collaborate with people across AWS to deliver the highest standards for safety and security while providing seemingly infinite capacity at the lowest possible cost for our customers.

Basic Qualifications

• Completed — or due to complete before the internship end date — a higher education qualification (National Qualifications Framework level 4 to 6) or a Bachelor's degree in a relevant technical field such as Information Technology, Computer Hardware Repair, or similar
• Professional English proficiency, both written and verbal
• Ability to work well with others in a team environment, with strong time management skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Basic knowledge of Linux and networking
• Basic knowledge of computer hardware components
• Ability to manage work and priorities through a ticketing system and coordination with Manager.
• Reliable transportation to the data center facility (note: public transit options may be limited)

Amazon is an equal opportunities employer, and we value your passion to discover, invent, simplify and build. We welcome applications from all members of society irrespective of age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief. Amazon is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from South African citizens who are members of designated groups who may contribute to Employment Equity within the workplace and the further diversification of ideas. In this regard, the relevant laws and principles associated with Employment Equity will be considered when appointing potential candidates. We are required by law to verify your ability to work lawfully in South Africa. Amazon requires that you submit a copy of either your identity document or your passport and any applicable work permit if you are a foreign national, along with an updated curriculum vitae.

Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status. Veterans, military spouses, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.