Data Center Fiber Optics Engineer – Field & QA Lead

NextGen | GTA: A Kelly Telecom Company; Athens (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

NextGen | GTA: A Kelly Telecom Company is seeking a Data Center Optical Engineer to ensure optical networks are installed and maintained to a high standard across data centers and colocation facilities.

You will support fiber deployments, migrations, remediation, and break/fix work while auditing installation quality and guiding technicians in the field. The role involves travel to other markets, sometimes on short notice, for assignments lasting several weeks.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in data center ops with customer interaction.
• Hands-on fiber work: single-mode/multimode, LC connectors.
• Experience with optical testing and fiber system troubleshooting.
• Ability to read procedures, vendor docs, network diagrams.
• Strong written and verbal communication; team-lead experience.
• Commitment to safety, quality, and standards.

Responsibilities

• Audit installation work and provide timely feedback to technicians.
• Coordinate with customers through ticketing and direct communication.
• Perform or supervise fiber installation, testing, troubleshooting, and remediation.
• Support migrations, decommissioning, break/fix, and remote-hands activities.
• Interpret network designs and procedures to verify port connections and cable management.
• Document work, test results, and customer updates.

Skills

3+ years experience in data center ops

Hands-on fiber optic experience

Optical testing & troubleshooting

Read procedures & engineering docs

Strong communication skills

Team lead experience

Tools

OTDRs

Power meters

Stabilized light sources

Visual fault locators

Test sets

Job description

NextGen | GTA: A Kelly Telecom Company is seeking a Data Center Optical Engineer to ensure optical networks are installed and maintained to a high standard across data centers and colocation facilities.

You will support fiber deployments, migrations, remediation, and break/fix work while auditing installation quality and guiding technicians in the field. The role involves travel to other markets, sometimes on short notice, for assignments lasting several weeks.