Server Engineer | Data Center Operations, Data Center Operations at Amazon

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Server Engineer | Data Center Operations
Company: Amazon
Location: Tokyo, Tōkyō, Japan
Job Type: On-site
Category: Server Administration
Date Posted: June 18, 2025
Experience Level: Mid-Senior level
Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

Key Responsibilities: Manage data center infrastructure hardware lifecycle, ensure service level agreements, troubleshoot issues, and contribute to process improvements.
Required Skills: Data center operations experience, hardware management, troubleshooting, Linux/Windows systems knowledge, networking, and shift work flexibility.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

🔧 Hardware Lifecycle Management

Manage the on-site hardware lifecycle of IT infrastructure, including installation, maintenance, and decommissioning of server racks, hardware, and network components.
Ensure compliance with service level agreements by resolving hardware-related issues and meeting customer expectations.

🛠 Troubleshooting & Problem Resolution

Troubleshoot and resolve hardware-related issues, serving as the first line of support for technical problems.
Perform root cause analysis to identify and address operational issues, contributing to process improvement initiatives.

🕒 Shift Work & On-Call Duties

Work in a rotating shift pattern, including non-standard hours (10-hour shifts with 1-hour break, 4 days on, 3 days off).
Perform on-call duties and participate in data center operations, handling scheduled maintenance and change management activities.

📚 Technical Documentation & Knowledge Sharing

Document technical issues, processes, and best practices to improve data center operations and share knowledge with the team.
Contribute to the training and mentoring of less experienced team members.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Relevant bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: 3+ years of data center operations experience, with a focus on hardware management and troubleshooting.

Required Skills:

Proven experience in data center operations and hardware management.
Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
Proficiency in Linux/Windows systems and basic networking.
Familiarity with ticketing systems, escalation procedures, and maintenance windows.
Ability to work in a team environment and collaborate effectively with stakeholders.
Excellent communication skills in Japanese and English.

Preferred Skills:

Linux certifications (RHCSA, CCNA, or equivalent) and scripting skills (Bash, Python, etc.).
Experience with data center facilities and 5S (sort, set in order, shine, standardize, sustain) principles.
Familiarity with AWS infrastructure services and data center operations.

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Demonstrate experience in data center operations, including hardware management, troubleshooting, and maintenance tasks.
Showcase problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure, especially during on-call duties.
Highlight any experience with AWS infrastructure services and data center operations.

Technical Documentation:

Provide examples of technical documentation, including process improvements, best practices, and troubleshooting guides.
Include any relevant certifications or training materials that showcase your technical expertise.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: ¥5,000,000 - ¥7,000,000 per year (Based on market research and regional adjustments for Tokyo, Japan)

Benefits:

Comprehensive health, dental, and vision care plans.
Retirement savings plans with company match.
Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick, and parental leave.
Employee discounts on Amazon products and services.
Professional development opportunities, including training, certifications, and conference attendance.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexible scheduling to accommodate maintenance windows and on-call duties.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: E-commerce and cloud computing services.

Company Size: Large (Over 1,000 employees).

Founded: 1994 (Amazon.com), 2006 (Amazon Web Services).

Team Structure:

Collaborative, cross-functional teams working on various data center operations tasks.
Clear reporting structure and hierarchy, with opportunities for mentoring and knowledge sharing.
Strong focus on safety, security, and process improvement.

Development Methodology:

Agile/Scrum methodologies for project management and process improvement.
Regular code reviews, testing, and quality assurance practices.
Automated deployment and CI/CD pipelines for infrastructure management.

Company Website: https://www.amazon.jobs/en

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Web Technology Career Level: Mid-Senior level, with opportunities for technical leadership and architecture decision-making.

Reporting Structure: Directly reports to the Data Center Operations Manager, with opportunities for mentoring and knowledge sharing.

Technical Impact: Contributes to the design, planning, delivery, and operation of AWS global infrastructure, ensuring customer access to innovation and low-cost, high-capacity computing resources.

Growth Opportunities:

Technical skill development and specialization in data center operations, hardware management, and infrastructure services.
Leadership and mentoring opportunities, with the potential to manage teams and drive process improvement initiatives.
Career progression into senior technical roles, such as Senior Data Center Engineer or Technical Lead.

🌐 Work Environment

🏢 Office Type:** Large, on-site data center facilities with a focus on safety, security, and operational efficiency.

🏢 Office Location(s):** Tokyo, Japan.

🌐 Work Environment Context:

Collaborative workspace with opportunities for team interaction and knowledge sharing.
Access to necessary tools, equipment, and testing devices for data center operations tasks.
Flexible work arrangements to accommodate maintenance windows and on-call duties.

📚 Work Schedule:

Rotating shift pattern, including non-standard hours (10-hour shifts with 1-hour break, 4 days on, 3 days off).
Flexible scheduling to accommodate maintenance windows and on-call duties.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

📝 Interview Process:

Online Assessment: Complete an online assessment to evaluate your technical skills and problem-solving abilities.
Phone Screen: Participate in a phone or video call to discuss your experience, career goals, and cultural fit.
On-site Interview: Visit the Amazon Tokyo office for a comprehensive on-site interview, including technical assessments, team meetings, and a tour of the data center facilities.
Final Decision: Receive a final decision and offer, if successful.

📝 Portfolio Review Tips:

Highlight your experience in data center operations, hardware management, and troubleshooting.
Include examples of process improvement initiatives and technical documentation.
Showcase any relevant certifications or training materials that demonstrate your expertise.

📝 Technical Challenge Preparation:

Brush up on your Linux/Windows systems knowledge and networking fundamentals.
Familiarize yourself with AWS infrastructure services and data center operations best practices.
Prepare for problem-solving scenarios and be ready to discuss your approach to troubleshooting and process improvement.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

💻 Frontend Technologies:

Not applicable for this role.

📊 Backend & Server Technologies:

Linux (RHCSA, CCNA, or equivalent) and Windows systems.
AWS infrastructure services (e.g., EC2, RDS, S3, etc.).
Data center hardware and networking components (e.g., servers, racks, switches, routers, etc.).

🛠️‍🏠 Development & DevOps Tools:

Ticketing systems (e.g., JIRA, ServiceNow, etc.).
Configuration management tools (e.g., Ansible, Puppet, etc.).
Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools (e.g., Terraform, CloudFormation, etc.).
Monitoring and alerting tools (e.g., Prometheus, Grafana, etc.).

👥 Team Culture & Values

💡 Web Development Values:

Customer Obsessed: Focus on customer needs and deliver high-quality, reliable services.
Invent & Simplify: Continuously innovate and simplify processes to improve data center operations.
Learn & Be Curious: Stay up-to-date with industry trends and best practices, and be open to learning from others.
Hire & Develop the Best: Attract, develop, and retain top talent to drive process improvement and technical excellence.

🤝 Collaboration Style:

Bias for Action: Take ownership and make decisions that drive results and improve data center operations.
Frugality: Focus on efficiency and cost-effectiveness in data center operations and hardware management.
Inclusive Culture: Foster an inclusive environment that values diversity, collaboration, and knowledge sharing.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

🛠 Technical Challenges:

Manage the hardware lifecycle of AWS global infrastructure, ensuring high availability and scalability.
Troubleshoot and resolve complex hardware-related issues, often under tight deadlines and high-pressure situations.
Contribute to process improvement initiatives, driving operational excellence and cost efficiency.

🌱 Learning & Development Opportunities:

Develop expertise in AWS infrastructure services and data center operations best practices.
Gain experience in technical leadership and architecture decision-making, driving process improvement and innovation.
Expand your professional network by collaborating with cross-functional teams and industry experts.

💡 Interview Preparation

📝 Technical Questions:

Hardware Management: Describe your experience with data center hardware management, including installation, maintenance, and decommissioning tasks.
Troubleshooting: Walk through a complex hardware-related issue you've faced and explain your approach to diagnosis, resolution, and prevention.
Process Improvement: Discuss a process improvement initiative you've led or contributed to, highlighting your role and the outcomes achieved.

📝 Company & Culture Questions:

AWS Infrastructure Services: How do you stay up-to-date with the latest AWS infrastructure services and best practices?
Data Center Operations: What aspects of data center operations do you find most challenging, and how do you approach these challenges?
Team Collaboration: Describe your experience working in a collaborative, cross-functional team environment, and how you've contributed to team success.

📝 Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Tailor your portfolio to highlight your experience in data center operations, hardware management, and troubleshooting.
Include examples of process improvement initiatives and technical documentation.
Showcase any relevant certifications or training materials that demonstrate your expertise.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this data center operations role at Amazon:

Submit your application through the Amazon Jobs portal.
Prepare a tailored resume, highlighting your data center operations experience, hardware management skills, and problem-solving abilities.
Prepare for the online assessment, phone screen, and on-site interview, focusing on your technical skills and cultural fit.
Research Amazon's data center operations and AWS infrastructure services to demonstrate your understanding and enthusiasm for the role.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and data center operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the Amazon hiring organization before making application decisions.