Network Installation Technician

Essintial Enterprise Solutions; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 37,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Essintial Enterprise Solutions is seeking a Field Technician to perform hands-on installation, cutover, and validation of enterprise network infrastructure at commercial locations nationwide, including QSR and retail environments. The role requires independent work at job sites from early morning through completion.

Responsibilities include staging and wiring of firewalls, switches, APs, and backup routers, plus decommissioning legacy gear and verifying end-to-end connectivity.

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years field experience in low-voltage cabling or network installation.
• Hands-on experience with structured cabling: Cat5e/Cat6 installation, termination, testing.
• Working knowledge of TCP/IP, VLANs, DHCP, DNS, PoE, and basic firewall/switch concepts.
• Experience racking, mounting, and cabling commercial-grade network equipment.
• Ability to read detailed port-mapping tables and wiring diagrams; follow procedures without deviation.

Responsibilities

• Stage, rack, and cable enterprise network equipment per project specs.
• Execute structured network cutovers with controlled downtime windows.
• Perform pre- and post-installation validation including WAN failover and VPN checks.
• Coordinate on-site with location manager to verify readiness and milestones.
• Label, document cabling, and complete digital work orders in real time.

Skills

Fieldwork experience

Network installation

Documentation habits

Reading wiring diagrams

Travel readiness

Tools

RJ-45 crimp tool

Ethernet cable tester

Toner & probe

Cordless drill

Cable tester (8-pin)

Job description

Full-time Description

Field Technician

Enterprise Network Installation

• Field Operations

Field Operations
Travel: Up to 75% with Milage Reimbursement

Position Overview
The Field Technician performs hands-on installation, cutover, and validation of enterprise network infrastructure at commercial locations nationwide — primarily active QSR and retail environments. Work includes deploying and configuring managed firewalls, switches, wireless access points, cellular backup routers, and IP power management devices, as well as decommissioning legacy equipment and verifying full end-to-end connectivity across all site systems. The ideal candidate is technically sharp, detail-oriented, and comfortable operating independently at a job site from early morning through completion.

Key Responsibilities

• Stage, rack, mount, and cable enterprise network equipment — firewalls (HA pairs), managed switches, wireless access points, cellular backup routers, and IP power controllers — per project wiring specifications
• Execute structured network cutovers: follow power-on sequencing, migrate patch cables from legacy switches to new infrastructure, and manage site downtime within defined windows
• Perform pre- and post-installation validation: run speed tests, verify WAN failover, confirm VPN connectivity, and test all site-connected devices (POS, kiosks, printers, displays, payment terminals)
• Work through guided deployment tooling (web-based or software validation platforms) to complete configuration sections in sequence and resolve flagged errors before proceeding
• Coordinate on-site with the location manager: verify site readiness before beginning, communicate during service interruptions, and confirm full operations at each milestone
• Label and document all cabling; capture pre- and post-installation photos; complete digital work orders and project tracking entries in real time
• Decommission legacy equipment, box for return shipment, and complete exit procedures per project closeout requirements

Skills At a Glance
Networking- Managed firewalls, HA pairs, managed switches, VLANs, PoE, VPN, WAN failover
Wireless- Enterprise APs, PoE injectors, ceiling mounting, connectivity validation
Cellular / WAN- Cellular backup routers, SIM installation, LTE/5G verification, dual-WAN failover
Cabling- Cat5e/Cat6, RJ-45/RJ-11/coaxial, color-coded patch cables, labeling, documentation
Power Mgmt- IP-controlled power strips/PDUs, outlet mapping, remote reboot
Site Systems- POS terminals, KDS displays, kiosks, payment devices, digital menu boards
Software- Web-based deployment/validation tools, project tracking platforms, remote access utilities
Tools- Cable tester (8-pin), toner/probe, cordless drill, fish tape/glow rods, 12 ft ladder

Required Personal Tools
Technicians must arrive equipped with: 12 ft ladder

• RJ-45 crimp tool
• Ethernet cable tester (simultaneous 8-pin display)
• Cable toner & probe
• Cordless drill
• Fish tape / glow rods
• Flashlight (not phone)
• Smartphone

Work Environment - Field Tech
Commercial and retail sites — including active restaurants and storefronts — with variable conditions: kitchen heat, noise, and customer foot traffic. Early-morning starts and late evening starts required. Regional travel up to 75%. Installations typically run 5–8 hours and may extend based on site conditions.

Essintial is an equal opportunity employer. This job description is not exhaustive and may be amended at any time.

#EES25

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• 3-5+ years of field experience in low-voltage cabling, network installation, or telecommunications
• Hands-on experience with structured cabling: Cat5e/Cat6 installation, termination, and testing (RJ-45, RJ-11, coaxial)
• Working knowledge of networking fundamentals — TCP/IP, VLANs, DHCP, DNS, PoE, and basic firewall and switch concepts
• Experience racking, mounting, and cabling commercial-grade network equipment (managed switches, firewalls, routers)
• Ability to read and follow detailed port-mapping tables, color-coded wiring diagrams, and multi-step technical procedures without deviation
• Proficient with cable testing tools (toner/probe, 8-pin cable tester) and basic network diagnostics (ping, traceroute)
• Disciplined documentation habits: cable labeling, photo deliverables, and digital work-order completion
• Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and ability to pass a background check and drug screening
• Available for early-morning starts and flexible scheduling including weekends; willing to travel regionally up to 75%
• Able to lift 50 lbs. regularly, work on ladders up to 12 ft, and sustain physical activity throughout an 8-hour

Preferred Qualifications

• CompTIA Network+, BICSI Installer, or equivalent networking/cabling certification
• Experience with cloud-managed networking platforms (Cisco Meraki, Fortinet, or similar)
• Familiarity with cellular backup routers, SIM installation, and LTE/5G failover verification
• Prior experience in QSR, retail, or hospitality environments with POS systems, kitchen display systems, or kiosk hardware
• Experience using project tracking and documentation platforms (Smartsheet, ServiceNow, or similar)

Salary Description $27.00-$30.00