Optical Transport Technician (DWDM)

NextGen | GTA: A Kelly Telecom Company; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

NextGen | GTA: A Kelly Telecom Company in Houston seeks a hands-on Transport and Facilities Technician to install, provision, maintain, and troubleshoot network transport equipment across hubs, data centers, colocation sites, and customer locations.

This role combines network operations with facility management, overseeing power systems, generators, and contractor activity. You will collaborate with Network Engineering, Sales Engineering, and NOC teams on high‑capacity enterprise networks.

Qualifications

• 3+ years hands-on experience with telecommunications facilities and fiber installations.
• Experience maintaining power systems, batteries, generators, and basic electrical work.
• Ability to respond to network alarms and emergencies 24/7 with NOC coordination.
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration with engineering and field teams.

Responsibilities

• Optical Transport & Network Infrastructure management including DWDM and dark fiber.
• Hands-on installations, provisioning, fiber testing, and troubleshooting transport/DWDM gear.
• Power plant and generator maintenance and basic electrical work.
• Collaborate with Network Engineering, NOC, Sales Engineering, and third‑party vendors.
• Serve as primary facility POC, oversee contractor activity, inventory, and documentation.

Job description

We are seeking a hands‑on, highly reliable Transport and Facilities Technician to join our team in a full‑time capacity.

In this critical role, you will be responsible for installing, provisioning, maintaining, and troubleshooting network transport equipment, dark fiber, and DWDM systems across hub offices, data centers, colocation sites, and customer locations.

This position offers an exceptional opportunity to combine deep technical network operations with hands‑on facility management. Beyond optical transport and network maintenance, you will serve as the primary operational point of contact for facility infrastructure, overseeing power systems, generators, and contractor activity. You'll collaborate directly with Network Engineering, Sales Engineering, and NOC teams while gaining broad exposure to high‑capacity enterprise networks.

Required Skills & Experience

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Minimum 3 years of hands‑on experience supporting telecommunications facilities, network transport systems, switching environments, and fiber installations.
• 1+ years of experience with computer systems, data entry, and database management.
• Strong technical background in installing, provisioning, and troubleshooting transport equipment, dark fiber, cabling, and peripheral network hardware.
• Proven experience in facility support, including inspecting office batteries, power plants, and emergency generators, as well as performing basic electrical work.
• Ability to respond to network alarms and facility emergencies on a 24/7 basis in coordination with the NOC.
• Strong communication skills and a track record of effective cross‑functional collaboration with Sales Engineering, Field Services, Provisioning, and NOC teams.

Desired Skills & Experience

• Associate’s degree or relevant coursework in Telecommunications or a related technical field.
• Direct experience with DWDM transport systems and optical testing/acceptance procedures.
• Hands‑on experience within data center and colocation environments managing cabinet installations, power requirements, and hardware deployments.
• Experience coordinating with third‑party vendors, monitoring contractor performance, and supporting facility maintenance budgeting.

What You Will Be Doing

• 60% Optical Transport & Network Infrastructure (DWDM, Dark Fiber, Hub Switches, MUX Equipment, Fiber Testing)

Daily Responsibilities

• 50% Hands‑On (Installing, provisioning, fiber testing, troubleshooting transport/DWDM gear, basic electrical work, and power plant/generator maintenance)
• 25% Team Collaboration (Working cross‑functionally with Network Engineering, NOC, Sales Engineering, and third‑party vendors for installations and outage resolution)
• 25% Facility & Operational Management (Serving as primary facility POC, contractor oversight, inventory maintenance, documentation, and emergency alarm response)