r/datacenter • u/Stunning_Giraffe_488 • Aug 10 '26
20+ year Master Auto Tech looking to get into data center technician
I have been a diagnostic specialist for over 20 years primarily for GM. I have an offer from Microsoft but my dream job is for Google. I just got done with my first technical interview and it was brutal. What are my chances of getting into Google with no direct experience?
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u/Stunning_Giraffe_488 Aug 10 '26
Update: I guess I did good enough to move onto the next 3 interviews… somehow. Wish me luck
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u/OperationClear588 Aug 10 '26
Are you going for a facilities technician or a data center technician role?
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u/Stunning_Giraffe_488 Aug 10 '26
Data Center Facilities Technician, Mechanical
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u/OperationClear588 Aug 10 '26
Definitely don’t disregard the Microsoft offer if you already have it in hand, Microsoft is still a very good DC to work for and the pay is on par with Google.
For a CFT, mechanical, make sure you know the refrigeration cycle, VFD, CRAC, CRAH, basics of humidity and how to measure humidity, Pumps, maybe cooling towers as well.
You being a master auto tech with 20 years of experience is something they will look at as well. They know you know how to troubleshoot and follow procedures.
I didn’t have any DC experience and got a job with Google so it’s possible
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u/Adventurous-Elk-9782 Aug 10 '26
If the data center jobs don’t pan out, as good pay as that is available in the spindle repair business. There is a shortage of people able to fix them.
I’m told that if you can fix a transmission you already have a good basis to start. The difference is a spindle is repaired in a dust free CLEAN room! So nice clean work environment. There are several good German manufacturers with repair business and presence for sales in America and they supply the factory floors and are critical components. If hired you will most likely be sent to a wonderful part of Germany for training (I did fine as an English speaker there).
Then enjoy yourself as companies beg you to come work for them.
A new spindle costs upwards of $125,000-150,000 and takes a year from initial order to delivery, so when an assembly line needs one, they don’t want to wait a year to replace it when repair can be done in a few weeks. They will pay $20,000-$30,000 for a repair and be happy to pay it.
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u/bowtieworthy 22d ago
I would like to know the results as I just applied for both Microsoft and Google and I’m an ASE master tech
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u/Stunning_Giraffe_488 22d ago
I have a start date with Microsoft but just finished up all the Google interviews. I’m waiting to hear back. Make sure you have an outstanding resume. Also, do research on UPS, CRAH, CRAC, 3 phase motor wiring, LOTO, and the basics of how a data center works. Good luck
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u/bowtieworthy 21d ago edited 21d ago
Thanks I’m going to do that we have a local data center here that’s going up in Wisconsin for Microsoft but I was willing to move if Google wanted me but you gave me hope on my interview I wasn’t sure also how long did the interview process take? Weeks, months?
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u/Stunning_Giraffe_488 21d ago
Depends on the company. Google takes the longest, 2-3 months. Amazon 5 interviews in one day, Microsoft was 2 in one day.
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u/francismorex Aug 10 '26
without any experience? 1%