Shipboard Installer 3 / Fiber Optic Technician

Leidos; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 59,000 - 107,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos Defense Group seeks a Tech V Shipboard Installer in San Diego, CA to install and test shipboard fiber optic systems. You will oversee field installation and troubleshooting while upholding stringent safety and security standards in a DoD-focused setting.

Role requires a long track record of fiber optic work, MIL-STD-2042 familiarity, and the ability to lead teams on deck-plate level tasks. Active clearance eligibility is preferred and U.S. citizenship is required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• 10+ years of direct fiber optic installation experience.
• MIL-STD-2042 installation certification preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical drawings.
• Experience with safety lockout/tagout procedures.

Responsibilities

• Serve as SME for shipboard fiber optic installation, termination, testing, and troubleshooting.
• Conduct WAF and lockout/tagout processes as required.
• Prioritize safety of personnel and equipment while maintaining schedules.
• Oversee deck-plate level installation teams and report to project engineering.
• Mentor team members on safety and ensure compliance with regulations.

Skills

Fiber optic install

Safety awareness

Troubleshooting

Reading drawings

Lockout/Tagout

Physical stamina

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Tools

OTDR

Optical loss tester

Light sources

Visual fault locators

Fiber inspection scopes

Hand tools

Power tools

Job description

Join a team committed to a mission!

At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers’ success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainable. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community. Our Mission, Vision, and Values guide the way we do business.

Are you ready for your next career challenge?

The Leidos Defense Group is seeking a Tech V Shipboard Installer at our San Diego, CA office. This is an exciting opportunity to use your experience helping the ILC mission. In this mission we conduct maintenance, modernization, and installation of ASW sonar systems in support of our customer.

Are you ready to unleash your potential?

Leidos Defense Group provides a diverse portfolio of systems, solutions, and services covering land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace for customers worldwide. Solutions for Defense include enterprise and mission IT, large-scale intelligence systems, command and control, geospatial and data analytics, cybersecurity, logistics, training, and intelligence analysis and operations support. Our team is solving the world’s toughest security challenges for customers with “can’t fail” missions.

At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo - because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 - and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Responsibilities - Work you’ll do:

• Serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for shipboard fiber optic cable infrastructure installation, termination, testing, & troubleshooting.


• Conduct the WAF & tag-out/lockout process as required.


• Prioritize safety of personnel, Ship's Force, & equipment, while maintaining dynamic production schedules


• Expected to oversee, on a “deck plate” level, the performance of installation team members, subcontractors & teaming partners. Feedback to the project engineer & other leadership is required & expected.


• Observe & adhere to all safety regulations & procedures applicable to installation activities. Mentor all team members on safety & ensure all team members comply with applicable safety regulations & procedures.

Required Experience, Skills, & Education:

• High School diploma or equivalent.


• Minimum of 10 years of direct fiber optic cable installation, termination, testing & troubleshooting experience.


• Certification to install, terminate & test fiber optic cabling in accordance with MIL-STD-2042.


• Proficient in performing cable testing with minimal supervision.


• Proficient in optical time-domain reflectometers, optical loss test sets, light sources, visual fault locators, & fiber inspection scopes.


• Ability to identify & correct high-loss connections, damaged fiber, improper terminations, contamination & other installation defects.


• Knowledge of single-mode & multimode fiber, connector types, polish types, bend radius requirements, & proper handling practices.


• Skilled in cable cutting, end preparation, & installation in accordance with technical drawings.


• Demonstrated hands-on experience installing a variety of cable types in field environments.


• Capable of planning cable runs & supporting installation activities.


• Competent in reading & interpreting electrical installation & red-line drawings.


• Familiarity with Safety Lock-out/Tag-out programs.


• Experience preparing & submitting formal reports via email.


• Must be a U.S. Citizen & possess an active Secret clearance or be eligible to obtain one.


• Proficient with hand tools & power tools.


• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.


• Ability to climb ladders.

Preferred Experience, Skills, & Education - Favorable if you have:

• Valid driver’s license


• Valid Passport


• Copper Connector Fabricator Qualified


• OSHA 10


• Understanding of 9090-310 requirements, documentation, & processes needed for successful navigation of RMMCO check-in / check-out.

Original Posting:

October 1, 2026

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range:

Pay Range $59,150.00 - $106,925.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

About Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.

Securing Your Data

Beware of fake employment opportunities using Leidos’ name. Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information during any part of the employment application process (i.e., ask you for money), nor will Leidos ever advance money as part of the hiring process (i.e., send you a check or money order before doing any work). Further, Leidos will only communicate with you through emails that are generated by the Leidos.com automated system - never from free commercial services (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) or via WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. If you received an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information (e.g., about you or your previous employer), and you are concerned about its legitimacy, please make us aware immediately by emailing us at [e-mail].

If you believe you are the victim of a scam, contact your local law enforcement and report the incident to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.