Data Center Optical Engineer

Data Center Optical Engineer

Duration: 6-Month Contract (Opportunity to Extend or Convert) Pay: $35+ per hour Hiring Type: Contract-to-Hire Location: Onsite Travel: Possibly Required (Local & Nationwide – flexibility required)

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Data Center Optical Engineer to lead work in customer environments and co-locations. The person in this role is responsible for ensuring the reliable installation, maintenance, and operation of optical transport and infrastructure within customer data centers. They thrive on being the interface between the customer and vendors, auditing work, giving instruction, and maintaining high standards of quality. The ideal candidate expects and maintains high-quality execution from the team across optical fiber installations, migrations, remediation, break/fix, and remote hands services, utilizing their strong hands-on technical expertise.

The role

• Conduct daily audits of work performed on behalf of at customer data centers and co-locations and provide immediate feedback to 3PP technicians.
• Interact directly with the customer via their ticketing tools or face-to-face, providing clear and concise reports and updates that promote value.
• Assist with fiber installation, decommissioning, break/fix, remediation and migration activities across data center optical and transport environments.
• Conduct and/or supervise optical testing and troubleshooting using tools such as optical power meters, stabilized light sources, VFLs, OTDRs, and test sets.
• Deliver services by accurately interpreting and executing Methods of Procedure (MoPs), engineering documents, vendor documentation, and network diagrams.
• Read and interpret cut sheets and physical network design documents to ensure accurate port connections and cable management.

Skills required

• 3+ years of experience working in data center operations or a similar technical environment with direct customer interaction.
• Team lead experience.
• Ability to multitask, remain composed under pressure, and adapt in fast-paced, high-availability environments.
• Strong command of written and verbal English for customer-facing communications and relationship building.
• Excellent organizational, administrative, and documentation skills using customer applications and/or Microsoft Office suite of tools.
• Years of hands-on experience with connectorized fiber optic cable installation, including single-mode and multi-mode fiber, LC, fan-outs, and structured cabling.
• Demonstrated experience with optical testing and transport troubleshooting.
• Commitment to safety standards, quality requirements, and operational best practices.

Physical requirements

• Ability to lift and move equipment up to 50 lbs.
• Comfortable working at heights and in varying environmental conditions.