Network Field Engineer- Dispatch

Sharp Brains; Yuba City (CA); On-site; USD 82,656 - 130,872; Full time

Job summary

Sharp Brains is seeking experienced Smart Hands / Network Field Engineers to support a large-scale Cisco WLC deployment across multiple customer sites in California. The role covers on-site installation, verification, troubleshooting, and documentation, with weekend windows for larger locations.

Responsibilities include staging equipment, rack and stack, cabling, SFP module work, cutover support, and post-deployment testing. Prior experience with Cisco infrastructure and CCNA+ is preferred.

Qualifications

• Proven Smart Hands or Network Field Engineering experience.
• Hands-on Cisco infrastructure deployments.
• Experience installing Cisco Catalyst 9800 Wireless LAN Controllers.
• Strong rack and stack installation experience.
• Knowledge of structured cabling standards.
• Experience with fiber optic and Ethernet cabling.
• Ability to install and verify SFP modules and network connectivity.
• Experience using console connections for Cisco devices.
• Familiarity with network implementation procedures.
• Strong troubleshooting at physical/Layer 1 level.
• Experience supporting remote engineering teams during implementation windows.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Excellent documentation and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Equipment Staging & Preparation: Stage Cisco equipment prior to scheduled deployment and cutover activities.
• Verify hardware inventory against deployment documentation.
• Prepare installation materials, cables, SFPs, and mounting accessories.
• Ensure all required tools and software are available before arriving on-site.
• Install and rack two Cisco Catalyst 9800 Wireless LAN Controllers (WLCs) at each site.
• Perform rack and stack activities following customer standards.
• Mount equipment securely using appropriate rack hardware.
• Organize rack layout while maintaining proper airflow and cable management.
• Install required power supplies and verify power redundancy where applicable.
• Cabling & Connectivity: Install and terminate Ethernet and fiber patch cables.
• Install and connect SFP modules and verify connectivity.
• Complete power and network cross-connects.
• Verify switch port availability and physical connectivity.
• Ensure accurate cable labeling and proper cable routing.
• Perform physical layer troubleshooting when issues arise.
• Cutover Support: Coordinate with remote teams during maintenance windows.
• Provide console access to Cisco devices using PuTTY or equivalent.
• Assist remote engineers during migration and configuration.
• Support tasks per deployment plans.
• Validation & Testing: Verify hardware installation and network connectivity.
• Report issues and outcomes; assist in post-deployment testing.
• Legacy Equipment Decommissioning (40–50%): Remove, disconnect, package legacy hardware; label equipment; document serials.

Skills

Smart Hands / Network Field Eng

Cisco deployments

Catalyst 9800 WLCs

Rack and stack

Structured cabling

Fiber and Ethernet cabling

SFP modules

Console connections

Network implementation procedures

Physical/L1 troubleshooting

Remote engineering support

Independent work

Documentation & communication

Tools

PuTTY

TFTP server

USB-C to USB-C console cable

USB-A to USB-B console cable

Cisco IOS files

Laptop with PuTTY

Wi‑Fi dongle

Job description

We are seeking experienced Smart Hands / Network Field Engineers to support a large-scale Cisco Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) deployment project across multiple customer sites. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience with Cisco infrastructure deployments, rack and stack activities, structured cabling, and physical network installations.

About the Role

This role requires working closely with remote engineering teams during deployment windows while independently performing on-site installation, verification, troubleshooting, and documentation activities. The project includes weekday deployments for standard sites and weekend implementation windows for larger locations.

Responsibilities

• Equipment Staging & Preparation
• Stage Cisco equipment prior to scheduled deployment and cutover activities.
• Verify hardware inventory against deployment documentation.
• Prepare installation materials, cables, SFPs, and mounting accessories.
• Ensure all required tools and software are available before arriving on-site.
• Install and rack two Cisco Catalyst 9800 Wireless LAN Controllers (WLCs) at each site.
• Perform rack and stack activities following customer standards.
• Mount equipment securely using appropriate rack hardware.
• Organize rack layout while maintaining proper airflow and cable management.
• Install required power supplies and verify power redundancy where applicable.
• Cabling & Connectivity
• Install and terminate Ethernet and fiber patch cables.
• Install and connect SFP modules.
• Complete power and network cross-connects.
• Verify switch port availability and physical connectivity.
• Ensure accurate cable labeling and proper cable routing.
• Perform physical layer troubleshooting when connectivity issues arise.
• Cutover Support
• Coordinate with remote implementation and network engineering teams during scheduled maintenance windows.
• Provide console access to Cisco devices using PuTTY or equivalent terminal software.
• Assist remote engineers during migration and configuration activities.
• Support network implementation tasks according to approved deployment plans.
• Validation & Testing
• Verify successful installation of all hardware.
• Confirm physical and network connectivity.
• Validate controller uplinks and switch connections.
• Report installation status and any issues encountered.
• Assist in post-deployment testing and troubleshooting until site acceptance.
• Legacy Equipment Decommissioning (Approximately 40-50% of Sites)
• Remove existing Wireless LAN Controllers.
• Disconnect and safely package legacy hardware.
• Label all equipment according to customer requirements.
• Document serial numbers and asset information.
• Prepare hardware for return shipment following logistics procedures.

Qualifications

• Proven Smart Hands or Network Field Engineering experience.
• Hands-on experience with Cisco infrastructure deployments.
• Experience installing Cisco Catalyst 9800 Wireless LAN Controllers.
• Strong rack and stack installation experience.
• Knowledge of structured cabling standards.
• Experience working with fiber optic and Ethernet cabling.
• Ability to install and verify SFP modules and network connectivity.
• Experience using console connections for Cisco devices.
• Familiarity with network implementation procedures.
• Strong troubleshooting skills at the physical and Layer 1 network level.
• Experience supporting remote engineering teams during implementation windows.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Excellent documentation and communication skills.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with enterprise wireless infrastructure deployments.
• Cisco CCNA or higher certification preferred.
• Experience working in data centers and enterprise network environments.
• Knowledge of Cisco switching, routing, and wireless architecture.
• Experience supporting migration and cutover activities.

Required Tools

• Standard installation toolkit
• Laptop with PuTTY installed
• USB-A to USB-B console cable
• Minimum four Ethernet LAN cables
• Cross-over cable
• USB thumb drive containing required Cisco IOS/software files
• TFTP server software configured on laptop
• Wi-Fi dongle or mobile broadband for backup connectivity
• Rack screws, cage nuts, mounting accessories, and cable management tools

This is a dispatch-based, on-demand role, which means there are no fixed working hours or guaranteed daily assignments.