Data Center Optical Engineer

Ericsson; Midland (TX); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Ericsson is seeking a Data Center Optical Engineer to lead and monitor optical infrastructure in customer data centers and co-locations. You will audit installations, manage migrations, and ensure high-quality execution across teams and vendors.

The role requires hands-on experience with fiber optics and optical testing, with travel up to 50% to client sites. Strong English communication and safety compliance are essential.

Qualifications

• Team lead experience.
• Strong written and spoken English for customer interaction.
• Excellent organizational and documentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Audit and supervise data center optical work and migrations.
• Interact with customers and vendors to report findings.
• Assist with fiber installation, decommissioning, and remediation tasks.
• Conduct optical testing and troubleshoot transport issues.
• Interpret procedures and network diagrams for proper connections.
• Read cut sheets and design docs to ensure correct porting.

Skills

Team lead

English proficiency

Organizational skills

Data center operations experience

Fiber optic cabling

Optical testing

Multitasking under pressure

Safety and quality

Job description

Grow with us

Ericsson Inc. does not sponsor U.S work authorizations for this job position including U.S. immigration filings for initial and/or change of employer paperwork for H-1's, H-1B1's, E-3's, O-1's, and TN's. Ericsson also does not hire F-1's working on CPT or EAD for this position.

About This Opportunity

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Data Center Optical Engineer to lead work in customer environments and co-locations. The person in this role is responsible for ensuring the reliable installation, maintenance, and operation of optical transport and infrastructure within customer data centers. They thrive on being the interface between the customer and Ericsson’s vendors, auditing and maintaining high standards of quality. The ideal candidate expects and maintains high-quality execution from the team across installations, migrations, remediation, break/fix, and remote hands services, utilizing their strong hands‑on technical expertise. This person is able to travel to a non-home market site at a moment’s notice and work there for several weeks at a time up to 50% of the time.

What You Will Do

• Conduct daily audits of work performed on behalf of Ericsson at customer data centers and co-locations and provide immediate feedback to 3PP technicians.
• Interact directly with the customer via their ticketing tools or face‑to‑face, providing clear and concise reports and updates that promote Ericsson’s value.
• Assist with fiber installation, decommissioning, break/fix, remediation and migration activities across data center optical and transport environments.
• Conduct and/or supervise optical testing and troubleshooting using tools such as optical power meters, stabilized light sources, VFLs, OTDRs, and test sets.
• Deliver services by accurately, interpreting and executing Methods of Procedure (MoPs), engineering documents, vendor documentation, and network diagrams.
• Read and interpret cut sheets and physical network design documents to ensure accurate port connections and cable management.

The Skills You Will Bring

• Team lead experience.
• Strong command of written and verbal English for customer‑facing communications and relationship building.
• Excellent organizational, administrative, and documentation skills using customer applications and/or Microsoft Office suite of tools.
• 3–15 years of experience working in data center operations or a similar technical environment with direct customer interaction.
• Strong hands‑on experience with connectorized fiber optic cabling, including single‑mode and multi‑mode fiber, LC, fan‑outs, and structured cabling.
• Demonstrated experience with optical testing and transport troubleshooting.
• Ability to multitask, remain composed under pressure, and adapt in fast‑paced, high‑availability environments.
• Commitment to safety standards, quality requirements, and operational best practices.

Physical requirements

• Ability to lift and move equipment up to 50 lbs.
• Comfortable working at heights and in varying environmental conditions.

Why join Ericsson?

At Ericsson, you´ll have an outstanding opportunity. The chance to use your skills and imagination to push the boundaries of what´s possible. To build solutions never seen before to some of the world’s toughest problems. You´ll be challenged, but you won’t be alone. You´ll be joining a team of diverse innovators, all driven to go beyond the status quo to craft what comes next.

DISCLAIMER:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees in this position. They are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for this position, and you may be required to perform additional job tasks as assigned.

Primary country and city:

United States (US) || Texas Remote

Job details:

Field Services

Compensation And Benefits At Ericsson

At Ericsson, we know that our people are the key to our success. We offer a competitive package to help with your individual needs and goals.

Your Pay

The salary range for this position is dependent on various factors including, but not limited to, location, and the candidate’s combination of job‑related knowledge, qualifications, skills, education, training, and experience.

Short-Term Variable Compensation Plan

Your pay also includes the opportunity for an annual bonus. Actual bonus payouts are based on performance of the business against the unit’s objectives, individual performance, and the individual bonus target. Certain eligibility and pro‑ration rules apply.

Your Health

Ericsson offers excellent health benefits including the choice of three medical plan options and a dental plan option that allow an employee to select the level of coverage that suits their needs. Employees will receive company credits in an amount equal to the cost that Ericsson pays toward the cost of their medical and dental premiums for themselves and eligible covered dependents.

Your Financial Security

We invest in both your short and long‑term financial wellbeing. The Ericsson US 401(k) Plan offers an automatic 3% company contribution and Ericsson match $1 for every $1 you put into the 401(k) Plan on the first 3% of your eligible pay, plus 50 cents on every $1 on the next 2% of eligible pay. When you contribute at least 5% of eligible pay, you are receiving Ericsson’s full matching contributions of 4%. Matching and company automatic contributions stop when your total eligible pay for the year reaches the IRS limits. Employees will also receive company credits in an amount equal to the cost of basic life insurance and basic accidental death and dismemberment coverage, as well as short‑term and long‑term disability coverage. Employees also have the option to participate in Ericsson’s Stock Purchase Plan.

Your Time

Your work‑life balance is important to us. New employees are provided a minimum of 15 days of accrued vacation, up to 3 personal days per year, 11 annual holidays, 8 hours of volunteer time, and 80 hours of sick time annually. Please note paid time off is pro‑rated based on the employee’s start date. Furthermore, Ericsson provides up to 16 weeks of paid maternity leave and 6 weeks of parental or adoption leave at 100% of pay.

Additional Benefits

Ericsson offers many other company‑paid benefits such as financial wellness programs, educational assistance, matching gifts, and recognition programs.