Cisco Wireless Field Engineer: WLC Install & Cabling

Sharp Brains; Yuba City (CA); On-site; USD 82,656 - 130,872; Full time

Job summary

Sharp Brains is seeking experienced Smart Hands / Network Field Engineers to support a large-scale Cisco WLC deployment across multiple customer sites in California. The role covers on-site installation, verification, troubleshooting, and documentation, with weekend windows for larger locations.

Responsibilities include staging equipment, rack and stack, cabling, SFP module work, cutover support, and post-deployment testing. Prior experience with Cisco infrastructure and CCNA+ is preferred.

Qualifications

• Proven Smart Hands or Network Field Engineering experience.
• Hands-on Cisco infrastructure deployments.
• Experience installing Cisco Catalyst 9800 Wireless LAN Controllers.
• Strong rack and stack installation experience.
• Knowledge of structured cabling standards.
• Experience with fiber optic and Ethernet cabling.
• Ability to install and verify SFP modules and network connectivity.
• Experience using console connections for Cisco devices.
• Familiarity with network implementation procedures.
• Strong troubleshooting at physical/Layer 1 level.
• Experience supporting remote engineering teams during implementation windows.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Excellent documentation and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Equipment Staging & Preparation: Stage Cisco equipment prior to scheduled deployment and cutover activities.
• Verify hardware inventory against deployment documentation.
• Prepare installation materials, cables, SFPs, and mounting accessories.
• Ensure all required tools and software are available before arriving on-site.
• Install and rack two Cisco Catalyst 9800 Wireless LAN Controllers (WLCs) at each site.
• Perform rack and stack activities following customer standards.
• Mount equipment securely using appropriate rack hardware.
• Organize rack layout while maintaining proper airflow and cable management.
• Install required power supplies and verify power redundancy where applicable.
• Cabling & Connectivity: Install and terminate Ethernet and fiber patch cables.
• Install and connect SFP modules and verify connectivity.
• Complete power and network cross-connects.
• Verify switch port availability and physical connectivity.
• Ensure accurate cable labeling and proper cable routing.
• Perform physical layer troubleshooting when issues arise.
• Cutover Support: Coordinate with remote teams during maintenance windows.
• Provide console access to Cisco devices using PuTTY or equivalent.
• Assist remote engineers during migration and configuration.
• Support tasks per deployment plans.
• Validation & Testing: Verify hardware installation and network connectivity.
• Report issues and outcomes; assist in post-deployment testing.
• Legacy Equipment Decommissioning (40–50%): Remove, disconnect, package legacy hardware; label equipment; document serials.

Skills

Smart Hands / Network Field Eng

Cisco deployments

Catalyst 9800 WLCs

Rack and stack

Structured cabling

Fiber and Ethernet cabling

SFP modules

Console connections

Network implementation procedures

Physical/L1 troubleshooting

Remote engineering support

Independent work

Documentation & communication

Tools

PuTTY

TFTP server

USB-C to USB-C console cable

USB-A to USB-B console cable

Cisco IOS files

Laptop with PuTTY

Wi‑Fi dongle

Job description

Sharp Brains is seeking experienced Smart Hands / Network Field Engineers to support a large-scale Cisco WLC deployment across multiple customer sites in California. The role covers on-site installation, verification, troubleshooting, and documentation, with weekend windows for larger locations.

Responsibilities include staging equipment, rack and stack, cabling, SFP module work, cutover support, and post-deployment testing. Prior experience with Cisco infrastructure and CCNA+ is preferred.