Layer 1 Infrastructure Design Engineer

Position Overview Pixel Technologies is seeking a Layer 1 and Data Center Design Engineer to design, review, and validate physical network infrastructure for commercial, enterprise, and government environments. You will translate customer and system requirements into reliable copper, fiber optic, wireless, and data center infrastructure designs. You will work with sales, engineering, project management, installation teams, and customer stakeholders from pre-sales discovery through installation and acceptance. The role combines new infrastructure design, review of customer and third-party designs, and practical planning for field services. Key Responsibilities Infrastructure Design and Validation · Design structured cabling systems, telecommunications and equipment rooms, pathways, patching, termination, labeling, and physical network topologies using applicable standards and manufacturer best practices. · Select copper and fiber media, connector types, fiber counts, and pathway capacity based on application requirements, distance, environmental conditions, and future growth. · Design data center rack layouts, rack power and cooling requirements, grounding and bonding, rack cabling, and cable management; coordinate requirements with facilities and other engineering disciplines. · Plan the physical infrastructure for wireless deployments, including access point placement, cabling, mounting, and coordination with coverage and wireless system requirements. · Review drawings, specifications, submittals, and proposed designs for accuracy, completeness, and suitability. Identify capacity limits, conflicts, single points of failure, installation risks, and deviations from project requirements. Pre Sales and Project Documentation · Participate in technical customer discussions, site surveys, and infrastructure assessments to define requirements and support pre-sales design activities. · Work with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and vendors to develop accurate bills of materials for customer quotes and write technical statements of work for services engagements. · Prepare drawings, design narratives, equipment and cable schedules, and installation documentation for network cabling and rack-and-stack projects. Installation Planning and Project Support · Plan Smart Hands services for wireless access point installations and intermediate and main distribution frame (IDF/MDF) refreshes involving network equipment, cabling, and uninterruptible power supply (UPS) devices. · Coordinate with customer IT, networking, facilities, security, and construction stakeholders. Guide installation teams, resolve field conditions and design conflicts, and check installation progress. · Participate in design reviews, commissioning, and acceptance activities. Verify that completed infrastructure meets approved designs, applicable standards, manufacturer requirements, and performance objectives. Required Qualifications Professional experience designing, reviewing, installing, or supporting enterprise physical network infrastructure, including: · Structured cabling knowledge covering copper termination, patching, testing, and distance requirements; single-mode and multimode fiber selection, connectors, topology, pathways, testing, and deployment considerations. · Experience with rack layouts, rack power and cooling requirements, grounding and bonding, telecommunications spaces, and cable management; general knowledge of data center network, storage, server, and security devices. · Experience supporting wireless deployments and the physical infrastructure required for access points. · Ability to interpret architectural, electrical, telecommunications, and network drawings and evaluate designs against customer and system requirements. · Familiarity with applicable BICSI, TIA, ANSI, IEEE, and manufacturer standards and best practices. · Ability to create clear engineering and installation documentation, contribute to bills of materials and technical statements of work, and communicate effectively with customers, vendors, and project teams. · Ability to work primarily remotely and travel to customer and project locations throughout the United States up to 25% of the time. Preferred Qualifications · Federal or Department of Defense project experience, including multiple network classifications or security domains such as NIPR, SIPR, and JWICS, and familiarity with related infrastructure, cybersecurity, installation, and documentation requirements. · Experience with secure fiber solutions from manufacturers such as Panduit, Corning, and Leviton; wireless site surveys; or enterprise, campus, healthcare, higher education, and other mission-critical environments. · Experience coordinating Layer 1 infrastructure with AV-over-IP, unified communications, security, building systems, or other IP-based technologies. · BICSI training or certifications; Cisco CCST, CCNA, or comparable credentials; fiber optic certifications; or manufacturer training from Cisco, Extreme Networks, Panduit, CommScope, Corning, Belden, or similar providers. Professional Development Pixel Technologies will provide opportunities and support for relevant advanced industry certifications and manufacturer training, including BICSI, fiber optics, and wireless design. You do not need every preferred credential at hire. We value a strong Layer 1 foundation, sound engineering judgment, and an approach that considers installation, serviceability, capacity, resiliency, and long-term customer needs.