Data Center Optical Engineer- Plano, TX

About the role

The Data Center Optical Engineer supports customer environments and colocation facilities, focusing on the reliable installation, maintenance, testing, troubleshooting, migration, and operation of optical fiber and transport infrastructure within large-scale data centers.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support optical infrastructure work within customer data centers and colocation facilities.
• Conduct daily audits of work performed by third-party technicians on behalf of the client.
• Provide immediate feedback to technicians to maintain quality, safety, and installation standards.
• Interact directly with customers through ticketing systems and face-to-face communications.
• Provide clear, concise reports, updates, and status information to customers and internal stakeholders.
• Absorb and execute Methods of Procedure (MoPs), engineering documents, vendor documentation, and network diagrams accurately.
• Read and interpret cut sheets and physical network design documents to ensure accurate port connections.
• Verify proper fiber routing, connections, labeling, and cable management.
• Lead technical activities at customer locations and support new business kickoffs.
• Travel to non-home-market locations, potentially for several weeks at a time.
• Work closely with customers, engineers, vendors, and third-party technicians.
• Ensure all work is completed according to safety, quality, and operational requirements.
• Troubleshoot fiber and optical transport issues and coordinate appropriate resolution.
• Document work activities, test results, discrepancies, and corrective actions.
• Maintain high standards of execution across installation, migration, remediation, and break/fix activities.

Requirements

• 2.5+ years of experience in fiber installation, with 1.5+ years of experience working in a large-scale data center environment.
• Proven experience working in data center operations or a similar technical environment.
• Strong hands-on experience with connectorized fiber optic cabling.
• Experience working with single-mode and multi-mode fiber.
• Experience with LC connectors, fan-outs, structured cabling, and fiber patch panels.
• Hands-on experience with optical testing and troubleshooting.
• Experience using optical power meters, stabilized light sources, VFLs, OTDRs, and optical test equipment.
• Proven team lead experience.
• Strong customer-facing communication skills with the ability to interact directly with customers.
• Ability to read and interpret Methods of Procedure (MoPs), engineering documentation, vendor documentation, network diagrams, cut sheets, and physical network designs.
• Strong written and verbal English communication skills.
• Excellent organizational, administrative, and documentation skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Windows-based applications.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• High integrity, self-motivation, and ability to work independently.
• Ability to multitask and remain composed in fast-paced, high-availability environments.
• Willingness to travel to customer locations and lead new business.
• Ability to support travel requirements ranging from 0–100%.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting optical transport networks within large-scale data centers.
• Experience with fiber migrations, remediation, break/fix, decommissioning, and remote hands services.
• Experience auditing third-party technician work and providing immediate technical feedback.
• Experience working with customer ticketing systems and service management platforms.
• Experience leading teams in customer data center environments.
• Experience with optical power calculations and fiber link testing.
• Experience working with optical transport equipment and infrastructure.
• Familiarity with AWS Outposts environments.
• Experience using IFS or similar field service applications.
• Experience working with customer-specific tools, processes, and documentation.
• Strong understanding of fiber cleaning, inspection, connector handling, and proper fiber installation practices.