Field Engineering Technician I

Neara; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 34,440 - 48,216; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% Company-Paid Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

401(k) with Company Match

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Employee Discounts

Monthly Catered Lunches

Wellness Programs

Health Membership Benefits

Job summary

Neara is seeking a Field Engineering Technician in Irvine, California, to support telecommunications infrastructure projects. The role involves site assessments, evaluations of aerial and underground infrastructure, and direct collaboration with design engineers and construction partners. Candidates should have relevant experience in telecommunications and field data collection. This full-time position offers a hybrid work model and competitive hourly pay between $25 and $35, along with comprehensive benefits including health insurance and a 401(k) match.

Qualifications

• Experience in telecommunications infrastructure projects.
• Ability to perform field measurements and assessments.
• Knowledge of engineering standards and codes.

Responsibilities

• Perform on-site evaluations of proposed fiber and coax routes.
• Conduct detailed make-ready evaluations for aerial attachments.
• Capture accurate measurements and collect GPS data.

Skills

Field Data Collection

Aerial Plant Assessment

Underground Plant Assessment

Communication Skills

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Certifications in Engineering or Construction

Tools

Mobile Field Engineering Tools

SpidaCalc

Job description

Field Engineering Technician

Job type: Full Time · Department: Field Engineering Technician · Work type: Hybrid · USD 25-35 / hour

Irvine, California, United States

Field Engineering Technician (T&D / Telecom / OSP)

At EKN Engineering, we solve challenging problems with innovative engineering and configurable software solutions. We use an engineering-first approach, combined with data-driven strategies, to improve overall compliance, risk management, and design accuracy tailored to the specific needs of each client.

With decades of experience in engineering, our team of over 160 professionals in Irvine, California is dedicated to building a safer and more efficient tomorrow through engineering and technological innovation.

Role Overview

The Field Engineering Technician will support engineering and construction activities for telecommunications infrastructure projects, with a focus on aerial and underground plant verification, make-ready assessments, and field-based data collection. This role requires regular travel to job sites, direct interaction with construction partners, and collaboration with design engineers to ensure accurate, buildable plans for new services and network expansions.

Field Verification & Site Assessment

• Perform on-site evaluations of proposed fiber and coax routes to ensure feasibility and conformance with engineering standards.
• Visually inspect existing aerial and underground infrastructure to verify pole conditions, mid-span clearances, attachment heights, and potential interference or obstruction issues.
• Survey building entrances and determine viable drop paths, including routing through existing conduit, building facades, or new pathways as required.
• Confirm vault/handhole placement locations and suitability based on terrain, utilities, access, and local code requirements.

Aerial Plant Work & Make-Ready Assessments

• Conduct detailed “make-ready” evaluations for new aerial attachments, including identification of required utility relocation, pole changeouts, clearance adjustments, and attachment viability.
• Perform O-Calc or similar pole-loading analysis to confirm structural integrity and load compliance for proposed attachments.
• Document all relevant pole information (height, class, span length, sag, existing attachments, pole tags, etc.).

Underground Plant Assessment

• Identify and trace conduit systems, handholes, and existing underground infrastructure.
• Confirm constructability of proposed trenching, boring, or micro-trenching paths, including soil/ground conditions and right-of-way considerations.
• Perform depth-of-cover checks, locate utility conflicts, and visually verify existing utility markings and GIS data accuracy.

Field Measurements & Data Collection

• Capture accurate measurements including distances, elevations, riser heights, building entry points, slack storage needs, and structure clearances.
• Collect GPS coordinates, photos, and detailed field notes for all relevant plant elements.
• Use mobile field engineering tools, tablets, and software applications for real-time data entry and plan markups.

Coordination & Communication

• Work closely with design engineers, project managers, permitting teams, and construction crews to communicate field conditions and ensure designs reflect real-world constraints.
• Interface professionally with property owners, municipalities, and third-party utilities (power, telco, cable) as needed for access or technical clarification.
• Assist in preparing documentation required for permitting, pole-attachment requests, and utility coordination processes.

Quality, Compliance, & Safety

• Ensure all work complies with NESC, local and national codes, Charter (or client) engineering standards, and any jurisdiction-specific guidelines.
• Identify and report any safety hazards, utility conflicts, or construction risks observed in the field.
• Maintain high-quality field documentation to support accurate and efficient design, construction, and as-built processes.

Additional Responsibilities

• Validate As-Built drawings by confirming constructed routes, attachment placements, vault installations, and mapping accuracy.
• Support engineering teams in revising plans based on field findings, scope changes, or client requests.
• Participate in project kickoff field meetings, site walks, and construction pre-build meetings when needed.
• Provide occasional on-site technical support to construction crews during build-out.
• Utilizing SpidaCalc

Why Join Us

At EKN Engineering, you’ll be part of a company that values innovation and accountability and supports our employees' professional growth and personal development. Here, you’ll work with teams that push the boundaries of engineering to create solutions that enhance our communities and the environment by making utilities safer.

Benefits & Perks

• 100% Company-Paid Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance – Comprehensive coverage to support your health and well-being.
• 401(k) with Company Match – We invest in your future with a dollar-for-dollar match on contributions.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) – Set aside pre-tax dollars for qualified healthcare and dependent care expenses.
• Exclusive Employee Discounts – Access our BenefitsHub for savings on travel, rental cars, hotels, theme parks, and more.
• Monthly Catered Lunches & Daily Office Snacks – Enjoy a well-stocked kitchen and regular team meals to keep you fueled throughout the day.
• Employee Engagement & Wellness – We value connection and balance. Our team enjoys a variety of events and activities throughout the year, including hiking outings, summer BBQs, sports games, holiday celebrations, and dedicated team-building days.
• JOYA Health Membership – Access to over $1,000 in annual skin health and wellness benefits, including complimentary facials or peels, aesthetic service credits, priority skin cancer screenings, teledermatology services, and discounts on skincare products.
• Wellness Perks & Support Programs – Access a variety of wellness resources including discounted gym memberships through One Pass, mental health and self-care tools via AbleTo and Calm, and monthly rewards for healthy activities through Rally.