Field Engineer I

Optimum Communications Inc.; North Lindenhurst (NY); On-site; USD 58,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Optimum Communications Inc. in New York is seeking a Field Engineer I to provide hands-on, onsite network support across DOCSIS, IP, fiber, and Network Transport.

You will assist with installations, turnups, testing, and break/fix activities, coordinating with NOC and engineering teams to ensure reliable service. The role requires an associate degree or technical training, strong troubleshooting, and a willingness to work after hours and travel to multiple sites.

Qualifications

• Associate degree, technical training, or equivalent practical experience.
• Experience in DOCSIS, field engineering, Inside Plant, or network infrastructure support preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of CMTS to Peering/Transit, routing protocols (BGP, OSPF, EIGRP), Cisco core routers, and various network topologies.
• Knowledge of VLANs, HSRP, NSSA, DHCP, PBR, NAT, VPNs, and related networking concepts.
• Experience with VOIP, Optimum services, and network transport environments.
• Must be able to participate in after-hours emergency response and travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Provide onsite technical support for Access Network and CPTO installations, upgrades, and break/fix activities.
• Act as field escalation point with NOC and engineering teams.
• Perform monitoring, testing, and analysis of network equipment to support rapid issue resolution.
• Support high-speed data and IP services operation and restoration with IP Network Engineers.
• Ensure proper Optical Transport Network operation and maintenance schedule.
• Configure FTTH Optical Line Terminals (OLTs) for performance and reliability.
• Generate UCR tickets for notifications of repairs with NOC and other departments.
• Document and report maintenance activities for regulatory and record-keeping compliance.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on network optimization strategies.
• Conduct field visits to resolve complex network issues and participate in upgrades and expansions.

Skills

DOCSIS knowledge

Field engineering experience

Networking fundamentals

BGP/OSPF/EIGRP

Cisco core routers

Network troubleshooting

VOIP/Optimum services knowledge

Education

Associate degree or equivalent

Tools

Cisco IOS

CMTS

Ethernet networks

SONET

VPNs

Job description

Are you looking to Optimize your life? Start your exciting path to a rewarding career today!

We are Optimum, a leader in the fast-paced world of connectivity, and we're seeking driven and enthusiastic professionals to join our team, empower lives, fuel businesses, and drive innovation. Connectivity is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. A career at Optimum means you'll be enabling progress and enhancing lives by providing reliable, high-speed connectivity solutions that keep the world connected. Our successes, now and in the future, are powered by our amazing product, a commitment to our people and culture, and the connections we make in our communities.

If you are resourceful, collaborative, and passionate about delivering consistent excellence, Optimum is for you!

Job Summary

The Field Engineer I provides handson, onsite network engineering support ("Network Smart Hands") for the Access and CPTO networks. This role is responsible for supporting installations, turnups, testing, and break/fix activities across DOCSIS, IP, fiber, and Network Transport. The Field Engineer partners closely with Network Engineering, Headend Engineering, CPTO, and the NOC to ensure reliable execution of planned work and rapid restoration during service impacting events.

Responsibilities

• Provide onsite technical support for Access Network and CPTO installations, upgrades, and break/fix activities, including physical installation, configuration support, and validation.
• Act as a field escalation point to assist in identifying and isolating the source of network impairments in partnership with the NOC and engineering teams.
• Perform proactive and reactive monitoring, testing, and analysis of network equipment and facilities to support rapid issue resolution.
• Partner with IP Network Engineers to support proper operation, restoration, and validation of highspeed data and IPbased services
• Responsible for ensuring proper Optical Transport Network (OTN) operation and that the maintenance schedule is followed.
• Configure and maintain FTTH Optical Line Terminals (OLTs) to ensure optimal performance and reliability.
• Generate universal change request (UCR) tickets for the notification and updating of scheduled or emergency repairs with the Network Operations Center and other departments.
• Document and report all maintenance activities, including repairs, upgrades, and inspections, to ensure accurate record-keeping and compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop and implement strategies for network optimization and performance improvement.
• Conduct field visits to assess and resolve complex network issues, providing hands-on support and expertise as needed.
• Participate in network upgrades and expansions, including planning, execution, and testing to ensure seamless integration and minimal disruption to services.

Qualifications

• Associate degree, technical training, or equivalent practical experience.
• Prior experience in DOCSIS, field engineering, Inside Plant, or network infrastructure support strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated working knowledge in the majority of the following areas:
  • o Network from cable modem termination system (CMTS) to Peering/Transit platforms.
  • o All Routing protocols and configurations (to support BGP, OSPF & EIGRP)
  • o High level of knowledge on Cisco core router devices and configurations
  • o All Networking topologies (Ethernet, SONET, Spatial Reuse Protocol (SRP), Packet over SONET (POS), etc.)
  • o Switching and configuration options (Virtual LAN (VLANS), Hot Standby Router Protocol (HSRP), Not so stubby area (NSSA), Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), Policy Based Routing (PBR), Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), Network Address Translation (NAT), etc.)
  • o Internet applications and their protocols Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), Peer to peer type apps, mail, news, web surfing, Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), etc.)
  • o Multicast (Protocol Independent Multicast (PIM), Internet Group Management Protocol v2 and v3 (IGMPv2 and v3), Auto-Rendezvous Point Auto-RP)
  • o Beginner level of DOCSIS knowledge and applications
  • o Working knowledge of the proprietary networks as they relate to Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP), Optimum Video, Optimum Online, Lightpath and Network Transport
• Advanced experience with Internet applications and their effect on Network Infrastructure.
• Must be able to participate in after-hours emergency response stand-by. Including response to Fire Alarms, Equipment Alarms, Power Outages, Natural events (floods, wind, hurricanes .) and other events.
• Ability to work flexible work hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime as required as well as 24 hours standby when needed.
• Clean and valid Driver's License with ability to travel to other work locations as necessary.

Working Conditions

The employee is required to utilize all safety equipment and protocol to maintain a safe environment ensuring all work-related tasks are performed in a manner that follows Company and OSHA safety rules and regulations. The employee is occasionally required to climb, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 70 pounds. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is subject to occasionally working aloft.

At Optimum, every action and interaction we take part in, is driven by our three Guiding Principles: Do What's Right, Drive One Optimum, and Make It Happen. These aren't just words, they help us build trust, create real community, and embrace new ways of thinking. Our employees are empowered to do the right thing for our customers and co-workers and to recognize and reward these behaviors when we see them. It's all part of the bigger picture of "Be The Difference" where each employee knows they have the power to enact real change, share new ideas, and understand that learning never stop.

If you have the drive to succeed and are ready to embark on a thrilling career, seize this opportunity today, and join our winning team. Together, we'll shape the future of connectivity.

All job descriptions and required skills, qualifications and responsibilities for a particular position are subject to modification by the Company from time to time, in the Company's discretion based on business necessity.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to recruiting, hiring and promoting qualified people of all backgrounds regardless of gender, race, color, creed, national origin, religion, age, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.

Pay is competitive and based on a number of job-related factors, including skills and experience. The starting pay rate/range at time of hire for this position in the posted location is$57,802.00 - $94,960.00 / year. The rate/range provided herein is the anticipated pay at the time of hire and does not reflect future job opportunity.

We appreciate your interest in this opportunity. Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. Please note that at this time, we do not provide visa sponsorship for employment.