Principal Network Technician

Jobtailor; Leesburg (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor in Leesburg, Virginia seeks an experienced Data Center Infrastructure Lead to perform advanced fiber characterization, lay out and test complex cabling, and lead field training. You will act as a hands-on trainer, coordinate site readiness, and troubleshoot critical fiber and hardware issues across modular, colocation, and CLS environments.

The role requires 8+ years in data center or high-consequence hardware work, mastery of structured cabling, and expert fiber diagnostic tool

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in data center infrastructure, telecommunications, or high-consequence hardware integration.
• Mastery of Structured Cabling (Fiber/Copper), including fusion splicing, termination, and high-density cable management.
• Expert-level proficiency with Fiber Diagnostic Tools (OTDR, Optical Power Meters, Fiber Scopes).
• Proven experience leading and training small teams in a field or mission-critical environment.
• High school diploma or GED; Advanced military technical training in Communications/Electronic Maintenance highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform advanced Fiber Characterization at a CLS using OTDRs and Light Source Meters.
• Serve as Virtual Hands for the NOC during hardware refresh with zero downtime.
• Lead Trainer for local site team, certifying on integration procedures and recovery playbooks.
• Conduct a Physical Layer Audit and correct deviations on the spot.
• Troubleshoot fiber breaks or hardware failures with rapid, permanent fixes.
• Lead physical installation and cabling of servers, storage, and networking equipment.
• Execute full physical layer testing: OTDR, CD/PMD, link-loss for long-haul/subsea fiber.
• Act as Master Trainer deploying to global sites to train Integrated Operations staff.
• Support Operational Launch phase as SME for site readiness and hardware verification.
• Maintain meticulous records of testing results, rack elevations, and cable schedules.

Skills

Fiber Characterization

Structured Cabling

Team Leadership

Training & Mentoring

Physical Layer Testing

Education

High School diploma or GED

Advanced military technical training in Communications/Electronic Maintenance

Tools

OTDR

Optical Power Meters

Fiber Scopes

Fusion Splicing Equipment

Job description

• Perform advanced Fiber Characterization at a Cable Landing Station (CLS), utilizing OTDRs and Light Source Meters to verify subsea-to-backhaul integrity.
• Serve as "Virtual Hands" for the NOC during a complex hardware refresh, performing card-level swaps on Tier 1 routing equipment with zero downtime.
• Act as the Lead Trainer for a local site team, certifying them on SILTT’s specialized integration procedures and emergency recovery playbooks.
• Conduct a "Physical Layer Audit" of a commissioned site, identifying any deviations from the Technical Lead’s doctrine and correcting them on the spot.
• Troubleshoot a catastrophic fiber break or hardware failure, utilizing specialized diagnostic tools to provide a rapid, permanent fix.
• Lead the physical installation, mounting, and cabling of servers, storage, and networking equipment in a variety of environments (Modular, Colocation, and CLS).
• Execute and document comprehensive physical layer testing, including OTDR, CD/PMD (Chromatic/Polarization Mode Dispersion), and link-loss testing for long-haul and subsea fiber.
• Act as a Master Trainer, deploying to global sites to train local "Integrated Operations" staff on installation and repair standards.
• Support the Operational Launch phase of new facilities, acting as the primary working SME for physical site readiness and hardware verification.
• Maintain meticulous records of testing results, rack elevations, and cable schedules to ensure the "Institutional Brain" has accurate data for every site.

Requirements

• 8+ years of experience in data center infrastructure, telecommunications, or high-consequence hardware integration.
• Mastery of Structured Cabling (Fiber/Copper), including fusion splicing, termination, and high-density cable management.
• Expert-level proficiency with Fiber Diagnostic Tools (OTDR, Optical Power Meters, Fiber Scopes).
• Proven experience leading and training small teams in a field or mission-critical environment.
• High school diploma or GED (Advanced military technical training in Communications/Electronic Maintenance highly preferred).

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in Fiber Characterization and Structured Cabling, with a strong focus on training and leading teams in high-consequence environments. Proficient in utilizing advanced diagnostic tools and conducting comprehensive physical layer testing to ensure optimal infrastructure performance.