Employer: Amazon Data Services South Africa (Pty) Ltd / Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Industry: Cloud Computing, Hyper-scale Data Centers, IT Hardware & Network Operations
Location: Remote Data Center Facility, South Africa (On-Site Daily | Private Transport Required)
Position Type: 6-Month Full-Time Internship (40 Hours/Week | March/April 2027 Start)
Career Pathway: Direct Potential Pathway to Full-Time Data Center Technician Roles
Target Candidates: Unemployed South African Youth (<35 Years) with NQF 4–6 / Degree in IT
Compensation: Market-Related AWS Corporate Internship Stipend
Posted Date: 14 October 2026
Closing Date: 30 November 2026
About AWS & The DCO Tech Internship
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world’s leading cloud platform, operating large-scale, high-density data center facilities that power cloud computing for millions of global customers.
AWS is recruiting Data Center Operations (DCO) Technician Interns (Job ID: 10578321) for a 6-month full-time internship starting March/April 2027. Operating inside AWS’s cutting-edge data center facilities, interns will work alongside senior AWS engineers to diagnose, troubleshoot, and repair server hardware (CPUs, GPUs, motherboards, RAM) and core network infrastructure (optics, link-down events, switches) while maintaining strict SLA ticketing targets.
Key Responsibilities & Data Center Operations
Interns will execute four core technical operational focus areas under senior guidance:
1. Server Hardware Repair & Maintenance
- Component Diagnostics: Troubleshoot, repair, and replace server components including motherboards, CPUs, GPUs, RAM sticks, power units, and peripheral cards.
- Storage Management: Replace media components (Solid State Drives / HDDs) strictly following AWS Data Tech security guidelines.
2. Network Infrastructure & Optics
- Link & Fiber Fixes: Shadow AWS network engineers to resolve link-down events, replace optical transceivers, perform fiber checks, and swap network switches.
3. Ticket Management & SLA Tracking
- Ticketing Workflows: Log, manage, and resolve infrastructure trouble tickets within specified Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
4. Vendor Collaboration & Hardware Installation
- Site Equipment Racking: Assist with racking, mounting, cabling, and configuring new server nodes.
- Contractor Oversight: Interact with third-party vendors and external contractors working on-site.
Candidate Profile & Minimum Entry Requirements
To qualify for consideration for Job ID 10578321, applicants must meet the following mandatory criteria:
- Employment Equity & Demographic Criteria:
- Must be a South African Citizen with a valid Identity Document (Mandatory).
- Must be currently unemployed before joining the program (Mandatory).
- Age Limit: Must be under 35 years of age (Mandatory).
- EE Statement: Preference given to eligible applicants from designated groups (Black, Colored, Indian, Chinese, women, and persons with disabilities).
- Educational Qualifications:
- Completed — or due to complete before the internship end date — an accredited higher education qualification (NQF Level 4 to 6 Certificate/Diploma OR Bachelor’s Degree) in Information Technology, Computer Hardware Repair, Computer Systems, or related technical fields (Mandatory).
- Site Location & Commuting Requirements (CRITICAL):
- The role is based at a remote data center facility with NO public transportation access.
- Must possess a Valid South African Driving License AND access to personal transportation for daily commuting (Mandatory).
- Language & Technical Competencies:
- Professional English proficiency (written and verbal).
- Preferred Competencies: Basic knowledge of Linux operating systems, computer hardware architecture, networking concepts, and ticketing systems.
Internship Structure & Career Progression
- Duration: 6 consecutive months (40 hours per week), starting March / April 2027.
- Full-Time Employment Pathway: Interns demonstrating exceptional performance may be considered for full-time Data Center Technician roles (which may involve day, night, or weekend rotational shifts).
💡 Career Advice for Applicants
- Highlight Hardware & Linux Competencies: Feature any experience with PC building, server hardware repairs, Linux commands, or networking labs on page 1 of your CV.
- Confirm Transport Readiness: State clearly in your CV header or cover letter that you possess a valid driver’s license and personal transport for daily commuting to the remote site.
- Upload Valid SA ID: Ensure a clear copy of your South African Identity Document is uploaded alongside your updated CV.
Sample Selection & Interview Questions
Hardware Troubleshooting & Data Center Logic
- Question (Hardware Failure): “How do you methodically isolate whether a server boot failure is caused by a faulty RAM module, motherboard issue, or power supply unit?”
- Question (Linux/Networking): “What basic Linux CLI commands would you use to verify network interface status and diagnose link-down events on a server node?”
How to Apply
Apply online directly via the official Amazon / AWS Jobs Portal using Job ID: 10578321:
- Employer: Amazon Data Services South Africa (Pty) Ltd / AWS
- Job ID: 10578321
- Position: DCO Tech Intern (6-Month Pathway)
- Start Date: March / April 2027