Data Center Engineering Operations - 2027 Internship

Want to be part of the team that keeps the world's largest cloud running? As an Engineering Operations Technician Intern at Amazon Web Services (AWS), you will get hands-on experience with the critical infrastructure behind Amazon's global data centers - and your work will directly impact millions of customers worldwide.

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 Engineering Operations 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 Mechanical, Electrical, or Electronic Engineering or similar fields.

About the Role

As an intern, you will provide technical support within Amazon's owned and operated data centers. Your work will ensure that the data center's mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems operate at 100% availability while maintaining first-class customer service to the teams and groups on site.

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

The Engineering Operations team is Amazon's front-line responders for hands-on electrical and mechanical equipment troubleshooting and operations. You will work with equipment that supports mission-critical servers and must maintain better than 99.999% uptime. This equipment includes, but is not limited to:

- Stand-by diesel generators and switchgear

- Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPSs) and Power Distribution Units (PDUs)

- Air Handling Units (AHUs), chillers, and cooling towers

- Chemical treatment systems, pumps, motors, and Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs)

- Building automation systems

Your day-to-day duties include:

- Maintaining mechanical and electrical equipment

- Assisting with root cause analysis of equipment failures

- Troubleshooting facility and rack-level events within internal Service Level Agreements (SLAs)

- Taking daily operational readings of all mechanical and electrical equipment

- Using internal Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) to manage building workflows

- Interacting with third-party vendors and contractors working on site

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 full-time Engineering Operations Technician roles operate on a rotating shift pattern, which may include days, nights, weekends, and public holidays. 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

In line with applicable legislation, preference will be given to eligible applicants from designated groups (that is, Black people (used as a collective term for Africans, Colored, Indians and Chinese) women, and persons with disabilities who are citizens of South Africa). Appointments will be made on merit and in accordance with organizational 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 troubleshoot and maintain the systems 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. From cloud computing to artificial intelligence, the systems you maintain power it all.

Action. You will move fast, experiment, and learn by doing. 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. Beyond that, you will find continuous learning opportunities and the chance to work on different projects. 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 from an accredited institution in a relevant field such as Mechanical, Electrical, or Electronic Engineering or similar fields.

- Professional English proficiency, both written and verbal

- Ability to work well with others in a team environment, with strong time management skills

Preferred qualifications

- Experience in program or project management

- Knowledge of mechanical systems (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning systems, controls)

- 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.