Data Center Optical Engineer 4-Athens, OH

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

Help ensure optical networks are installed and maintained to a high standard across data centers and colocation facilities. As a Data Center Optical Engineer, you’ll support fiber deployments, migrations, remediation, and break/fix work while auditing installation quality and resolving technical issues.

This role is a strong fit for an experienced fiber specialist who’s comfortable working directly with customers and guiding technicians in the field. You’ll use optical test equipment, interpret network designs and work procedures, and help teams deliver reliable results in fast-paced, high-availability environments. The role involves travel to other markets, sometimes on short notice, for assignments that may last several weeks—up to 50% of the time.

Required Skills & Experience

• 3+ years of experience in data center operations or a similar technical environment with customer interaction
• Hands-on experience with single-mode and multimode fiber, LC connectors, fan-outs, and structured cabling
• Experience performing optical testing and troubleshooting transport or fiber systems
• Ability to read and follow methods of procedure, engineering documents, vendor documentation, network diagrams, and cut sheets
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for customer updates and technician guidance
• Team lead experience and commitment to safety, quality, and operational standards

Desired Skills & Experience

• Experience auditing installation work and providing feedback to technicians
• Familiarity with optical power meters, stabilized light sources, visual fault locators, OTDRs, and test sets
• Experience with data center installations, decommissioning, migrations, remediation, or break/fix work
• Strong documentation and administrative skills using customer ticketing tools and Microsoft Office

What You Will Be Doing

• Audit installation work and provide timely feedback to technicians
• Coordinate with customers through ticketing systems 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, issues, test results, and customer updates

Posted By: Deanna Arechiga