Data Center Operations Jobs in Illinois

SkillBridge, Data Center Customer Operations Technician - Military

• JR-811162
• On Site
• Elk Grove Village
• General Management
• Full time

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.

A career at Equinix means being at the center of shaping what comes next and amplifying customer value through innovation and impact. 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.

Are you a military service member within or nearing your 180-day window for separation from active duty?

Are you a military spouse fellow wanting to pursue a technology career?

If this is you, then Equinix has a unique opportunity to help kick-start the next chapter in your professional life.

We are accepting applications for our very own DoD SkillBridge Fellowship Program, supporting Data Center Operations.

The training will be on the cutting edge of technology, in a digital infrastructure environment, supporting an initiative designed to connect our nation’s warfighters to the best employment opportunities available.

Job Summary

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

We are accepting applications for our very own DoD SkillBridge Fellowship Program supporting the Data Center Operations. The training will be on the cutting edge of technology in a digital infrastructure environment, supporting an initiative designed to link our nation’s warfighters to the best employment opportunities available.

Do you have a background in Electronics, Electrical Work, or the military/skilled trades?

This could be your next career move!

In this DoD Skillbridge Program with Equinix, you will:

• Learn how your military experience translates into a rewarding civilian career
• Explore a career or industry you might want to pursue upon separation from active duty
• Earn real-world industry qualifications and certifications
• Build experience and competency in your trade/profession with our team
• Expand your professional network of contacts
• Gain familiarity with corporate culture

Responsibilities

Has a substantial understanding of the job while working on moderately difficult assignments, requiring judgment in resolving issues or making recommendations. Focuses on moderately difficult tasks, with substantial understanding of standard operating procedures. Supports the overall team.

Queue Management & Reporting:

• Review and execute advanced work orders requiring deep procedural knowledge and adherence to commitment times
• Evaluate expedited requests and resolve or route them appropriately
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support customer ticket resolution
• Maintain detailed documentation of all work activities
• Complete accurate reporting and fulfill ad-hoc reporting requests
• Create Purchase Orders (POs) and Purchase Requests (PRs)
• Assign locks and keys for Equinix and customer assets, where applicable
• Prepare customer-facing reports (e.g., power usage, access logs)
• Update asset databases and internal systems

Installations:

• Perform skilled rack-and-stack installation of customer equipment
• Interpret and execute complex installation plans
• Support challenging infrastructure builds, including fiber trays, ladder racks, cabinets, cable trays, grounding systems, and cable management
• Perform tape changes and backup updates
• Identify and escalate capacity or cabling concerns
• Conduct quality checks on cross-connects and on-site support tasks

Cross-Connect Work:

• Execute complex cross-connect installations, terminations, modifications, and testing
• Install and test advanced circuit types, including switched and multiplexed connections

Testing & Troubleshooting:

• Perform skilled Layer 1–3 certification testing
• Troubleshoot advanced circuit issues, including switched and multiplexed circuits
• Support escalated testing and diagnostic activities

Stakeholder Partnership:

• Monitor inventory levels and coordinate material replenishment
• Provide escalation support for urgent work orders
• Collaborate with internal teams on cross-functional initiatives

Customer Management:

• Ensure customer satisfaction through timely, accurate order execution and quality assurance
• Deliver exceptional service during customer interactions
• Support sensitive or escalated customer situations
• Manage expectations for new deployments and modifications
• Provide on-site support, including access control and escorting
• Serve as a point of contact for advanced customer requests and escalations

Qualifications

• Must meet all eligibility requirements outlined in DOD Instruction 1322.29 and NAVADMIN 222/15. Required
• High school diploma or equivalent
• 4–6 years of experience in data center operations, telecommunications, network infrastructure, or a related technical field
• Strong understanding of standard operating procedures and safety protocols

Preferred

• Experience with fiber and copper terminations and testing
• Familiarity with data center infrastructure components (ladder racks, cable trays, grounding systems, cabinets)
• Experience with inventory management and material handling
• Prior experience supporting customer deployments and access control
• Ability to identify capacity constraints and escalate appropriately
• Demonstrated experience with rack-and-stack installations, structured cabling, and cross-connect work
• Proficiency with Layer 1–3 testing and troubleshooting tools
• Ability to interpret technical documentation and installation plans
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple work orders and meet deadlines
• Excellent written documentation and record-keeping skills
• Strong customer-service orientation and professional communication skills
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, physically demanding data center environment

Skillbridge Internship positions are open to active duty and/or transitioning military members. Compensation or pay for this role is made through the service member's current enlistment contract based on pay guidelines set by the Department of Defense (DoD).

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 form.

Equinix is an Equal Employment Opportunity and, in the U.S., an Affirmative 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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This posting is a new position within our organization.