Lead Network Engineer

DescriptionThink of TEKsystems Global Services (TGS) as the growth solution for enterprises today. We unleash growth through technology, strategy, design, execution and operations with a customer-first mindset for bold business leaders. We deliver cloud, data and customer experience solutions. Our partnerships with leading cloud, design and business intelligence platforms fuel our expertise. We value deep relationships, dedication to serving others and inclusion. We drive positive outcomes for our people and our business, and we stay true to our commitments and act in harmony with our words. We exist to create significant opportunity for people to achieve fulfillment through career success. Ready to join us? Here’s what the opportunity supported through our TGS Talent Acquisition Team requires: The Lead Network Engineer (LNE) serves as the primary technical and operational leader within an assigned metro or region, responsible for ensuring safe, high-quality execution of Microsoft data center deployment and operational services. The LNE provides technical direction, workforce leadership, customer engagement, and operational oversight while serving as a bridge between field execution teams, Microsoft stakeholders, and TEKsystems leadership. The LNE coordinates multiple workstreams, resolves or escalates technical and operational issues, reinforces Microsoft processes and safety requirements, and captures delivery data and lessons learned that support continuous improvement and future work planning. Scope and Role Differentiation:

• Metro and regional execution scope: leads delivery across assigned data center sites and physical work areas.
• Technical leadership: interprets customer requirements, guides field execution, validates quality, and resolves or escalates technical issues.
• Operational accountability: coordinates priorities, schedules, resources, access, status reporting, and delivery risks.
• Customer partnership: maintains trusted working relationships with Microsoft project managers, engineers, and data center stakeholders.
• Workforce leadership: mentors technicians and team leads, supports hiring and onboarding, and reinforces performance expectations and technical standards.

Key Responsibilities: Technical Leadership and Execution

• Lead deployment and operational activities across assigned Microsoft data center sites.
• Review and interpret Microsoft cut sheets, cable maps, implementation requirements, and work instructions before field execution.
• Provide technical guidance for structured cabling, network infrastructure, equipment deployment, hardware moves, patching, troubleshooting, and decommissioning.
• Apply strong knowledge of network fundamentals across OSI Layers 1-3 to support troubleshooting and escalation.
• Identify infrastructure, labeling, cable-map, access, hardware, or installation issues and coordinate timely resolution with the appropriate TEKsystems or Microsoft stakeholders.
• Validate completed work for safety, quality, labeling, cable routing, connectivity, documentation, and customer requirements.

Metro Operations Leadership

• Coordinate multiple simultaneous projects and workstreams across different data center sites and physical work areas.
• Align field resources, team leads, work priorities, schedules, access requirements, and project dependencies.
• Monitor project milestones, risks, blockers, contingencies, and customer commitments, escalating early when support or decisions are required.
• Maintain accurate daily and weekly project status reporting for TEKsystems and Microsoft stakeholders.
• Coordinate onboarding and operational readiness activities, including required data center access tickets, special permissions, and customer-system setup.
• Adapt execution plans as Microsoft processes, priorities, and site conditions change.

Safety, Quality, and Compliance

• Ensure technicians follow applicable Microsoft processes, procedures, SOPs, safety requirements, and site rules.
• Reinforce safe work practices associated with data hall operations, cooling and power awareness, floor loading, containment pathways, and material-handling equipment.
• Conduct or coordinate field observations, quality inspections, audits, and corrective-action follow-up.
• Address recurring quality or safety concerns through coaching, documented escalation, and process improvement.
• Partner with operational and EHS leaders when incidents, hazards, or systemic risks require additional review.

Customer Relationship Management

• Build and maintain professional relationships with Microsoft data center project managers, engineers, and operational stakeholders.
• Participate in project reviews, planning discussions, customer meetings, and delivery-status calls.
• Communicate technical issues, delivery risks, dependencies, mitigation plans, and status updates clearly and promptly.
• Serve as a conduit between field teams, TEKsystems Delivery and Practice leaders, Sales, and Microsoft stakeholders.
• Request and incorporate customer feedback to improve execution quality and service consistency.

Workforce Leadership and Development

• Lead, coach, and mentor deployment and operational teams, including technicians and team leads.
• Support interviewing, selection, onboarding, and readiness evaluation for data center technical roles.
• Define or reinforce minimum technical and behavioral attributes required for successful field execution.
• Identify capability gaps and coordinate coaching, training, remediation, or escalation as appropriate.
• Conduct regular team-lead meetings and promote consistent communication, accountability, and knowledge sharing.

Business and Operational Support

• Support Sales, Delivery, and Practice leaders with Level of Effort estimates, staffing inputs, technical assumptions, and execution considerations.
• Capture actual effort, productivity information, lessons learned, risks, and delivery outcomes to improve future bids and planning.
• Track operational metrics that support quality, forecasting, staffing, and continuous improvement.
• Identify optimization opportunities that improve efficiency, delivery predictability, and Microsoft customer outcomes.
• Collaborate on strategies to build and expand deployment or break-fix capabilities within the assigned region.SkillsNetwork engineeringTop Skills DetailsNetwork engineeringAdditional Skills & QualificationsRequired Qualifications
• 5+ years of progressive experience in data center deployment, operations, infrastructure, networking, structured cabling, or a closely related technical field.
• 2+ years of experience leading technical teams, projects, workstreams, or field operations.
• Experience supporting hyperscale or large-scale production data center environments.
• Strong understanding of network fundamentals, including OSI Layers 1-3.
• Strong knowledge of structured cabling installation, dressing, labeling, patching, testing, troubleshooting, and documentation.
• Working knowledge of data center hardware and infrastructure processes, including equipment racking, moves, module installation, cable routing, patching, troubleshooting, and decommissioning.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple simultaneous projects, priorities, and physical work areas.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technicians, provide coaching, inspect work, and address quality concerns.
• Strong customer-facing written and verbal communication skills using email, Word, Excel, Teams, conference calls, and project-status reporting.
• Understanding of workplace safety principles and data center operational hazards; OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 is required or must be obtained within the employer-defined timeframe.
• Ability to travel to other sites or regions when business needs require.
• Valid driver's license.
• Must meet customer, site-access, legal, and eligibility requirements applicable to assigned work.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting Microsoft data center environments.
• CompTIA Network+, Cisco CCNA, or an equivalent networking certification.
• BICSI Installer, Technician, RCDD, or another relevant data center or structured cabling credential.
• ITIL Foundation or experience with IT service management, change management, and problem management processes.
• Experience with data center tools and products from vendors such as AFL, Fluke, Panduit, Brady, and CommScope.
• Experience leadExperience LevelIntermediate LevelJob Type & LocationThis is a Permanent position based out of Des Moines, IA.Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $97800.00 - $146800.00/yr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.We reserve the right to pay above or below the posted wage based on factors unrelated to sex, race, or any other protected classification. Additional earnings may be available through incentive programs like annual bonuses, profit sharing, etc.

Our full-time, internal employment benefits include the following:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life and AD&D for employee and dependents)
• Short and Long-Term Disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Des Moines,IA.Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Aug 30, 2026.About TEKsystemsWe're partners in transformation. We help clients activate ideas and solutions to take advantage of a new world of opportunity. We are a team of 80,000 strong, working with over 6,000 clients, including 80% of the Fortune 500, across North America, Europe and Asia. As an industry leader in Full-Stack Technology Services, Talent Services, and real-world application, we work with progressive leaders to drive change. That's the power of true partnership. TEKsystems is an Allegis Group company. The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.About TEKsystems and TEKsystems Global Services We’re a leading provider of business and technology services. We accelerate business transformation for our customers. Our expertise in strategy, design, execution and operations unlocks business value through a range of solutions. We’re a team of 80,000 strong, working with over 6,000 customers, including 80% of the Fortune 500 across North America, Europe and Asia, who partner with us for our scale, full-stack capabilities and speed. We’re strategic thinkers, hands-on collaborators, helping customers capitalize on change and master the momentum of technology. We’re building tomorrow by delivering business outcomes and making positive impacts in our global communities. TEKsystems and TEKsystems Global Services are Allegis Group companies. Learn more at TEKsystems.com.The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.Job SummaryJob number: JP-006248992Profession: Network Engineer