Network Engineer II

Job Summary

The Network Engineer 2 is a hands-on, boots-on-the-ground role responsible for the physical build, maintenance, and troubleshooting of network infrastructure within the data center. This person works primarily at the physical and data-link layers - racking and stacking network hardware, running and dressing cabling, installing and testing SFPs/transceivers, mounting devices in cabinets, and labeling and documenting the physical plant - while monitoring an internal ticketing system and supporting network operations teams with connectivity troubleshooting. The role also requires a working awareness of core networking and routing/switching concepts to understand how physical work impacts the broader network, escalate effectively, and grow into higher-level engineering responsibilities over time. The role requires a strong work ethic in a live, 24x7 operational environment.

Work Location: On-site (Data Center / Field)

Schedule: Shift-based; may include nights, weekends, and holidays due to 24x7 operations, plus on-call rotation.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor and prioritize an internal ticketing system to provide timely customer and internal support on network-related requests and incidents.
• Perform physical installation ("rack and stack") of network hardware - switches, routers, firewalls, load-balancers, and security appliances - according to design and build documentation.
• Mount network devices within cabinets/racks and complete all associated cabling to support customer maintenance requests.
• Install and remove fiber and copper cabling; test and troubleshoot connectivity issues with newly deployed and previously deployed cable runs, terminating to EIA/TIA standards (Layer 1 skills).
• Dress and label cabling to standard; check fiber light levels with a power meter and clean connectors (SC/LC/ST/FC) as part of routine testing and troubleshooting.
• Install, seat, and test SFP/SFP+/QSFP transceivers and optics; verify link status and troubleshoot physical-layer connectivity issues (bad cable, bad optic, dirty fiber, port mismatch).
• Perform basic connectivity troubleshooting: verify link lights, port status, cable continuity, and escalate data-link/network-layer issues to senior engineers.
• Execute documented configuration change tasks on network devices under the direction of senior network engineers.
• Complete customer maintenance requests involving network hardware modification, device mounting, and associated cabling.
• Document all planned and unplanned physical infrastructure work (installs, moves, adds, changes) in ticketing and asset-tracking systems.
• Maintain accurate rack elevations, port maps, and cable/asset inventory records.
• Support hardware lifecycle activities: receiving, staging, burn-in/testing, decommissioning, and disposal of network equipment.
• Respond to and assist with incident troubleshooting during outages, including dispatch to affected racks/rows for physical verification ("smart hands").
• Adhere to change management, safety, and company security policies and procedures.
• Work an assigned shift schedule supporting 24x7 data center operations, including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed; participate in on-call rotation.

Required Knowledge & Skills

• Basic understanding of the OSI model, with strong working knowledge of Layer 1 (physical) and foundational Layer 2 concepts (Ethernet, VLANs, switch ports, STP).
• Working knowledge of TCP/IP fundamentals, including basic IP addressing and subnetting.
• Introductory awareness of core routing/switching concepts (e.g., OSPF, BGP, HSRP) sufficient to understand how physical-layer work affects the broader network and to escalate issues accurately - configuration-level depth not required.
• Hands-on experience with structured cabling: copper (Cat5e/6/6A) and fiber (single-mode/multi-mode), including termination, testing per EIA/TIA/BICSI standards, and troubleshooting.
• Familiarity with fiber connector types (SC/LC/ST/FC), light-level/power-meter testing, and connector cleaning procedures.
• Familiarity with SFP/SFP+/QSFP transceiver types, compatibility, and installation best practices.
• Basic understanding of rack power configurations (PDUs) and cable management for airflow.
• Comfort working inside a live data center: rack safety, ESD precautions, proper lifting/handling of equipment, and adherence to site access/security protocols.
• Basic familiarity with multi-vendor network hardware (e.g., Cisco, Juniper, Arista, Brocade) - configuration knowledge is a plus but not required.
• Ability to read and follow rack elevation diagrams, port maps, and work instructions accurately.
• Ability to monitor and work an internal ticketing system, prioritizing tasks and customer requests appropriately.
• Strong attention to detail and documentation discipline.
• Clear verbal and written communication for ticket updates, handoffs, and escalation to senior engineers.

Preferred (Not Required)

• CompTIA Network+ or equivalent entry-level certification.
• CompTIA A+ or BICSI cabling credential.
• Prior experience in a data center, telecom, or NOC environment.
• Exposure to monitoring/ticketing tools (e.g., Zenoss, Syslog-based tools, or similar).
• Own basic hand tools (punch-down tool, cable testers, wire strippers) and PPE, where site policy requires techs to supply their own.

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or regional equivalent required.
• 0-2 years of relevant experience; data center environment experience, internships, military, or trade-school networking/cabling experience considered.

Physical Demands

• Ability to lift and carry network equipment (up to ~50 lbs), work on ladders/lifts, kneel, bend, and work in raised-floor or overhead-cable environments.
• Ability to work in a data center environment with variable temperature and noise levels.
• Extended periods standing, walking data center rows, and working at rack height.

#LI-Onsite #LI-DB1
Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several geographic markets. The compensation range for this position ranges from $108,253.00/year in our lowest geographic market up to 158,733.30 USD/year in our highest geographic market. Pay is based on a number of factors including market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process. The compensation package may also include incentive compensation opportunities in the form of annual bonus or incentives, equity awards and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP). Learn more about benefits at Rackspace.
About Rackspace Technology

We are the multicloud solutions experts. We combine our expertise with the world's leading technologies - across applications, data and security - to deliver end-to-end solutions. We have a proven record of advising customers based on their business challenges, designing solutions that scale, building and managing those solutions, and optimizing returns into the future. Named a best place to work, year after year according to Fortune, Forbes and Glassdoor, we attract and develop world-class talent. Join us on our mission to embrace technology, empower customers and deliver the future.

More on Rackspace Technology

Though we're all different, Rackers thrive through our connection to a central goal: to be a valued member of a winning team on an inspiring mission. We bring our whole selves to work every day. And we embrace the notion that unique perspectives fuel innovation and enable us to best serve our customers and communities around the globe. We welcome you to apply today and want you to know that we are committed to offering equal employment opportunity without regard to age, color, disability, gender reassignment or identity or expression, genetic information, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity status, military or veteran status, nationality, ethnic or national origin, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or any legally protected characteristic. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.