Shipboard Installer 3 / Fiber Optic Technician

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

Job summary

Leidos Defense Group in San Diego, CA seeks a Tech V Shipboard Installer to lead fiber optic cable installation, termination, testing and troubleshooting on shipboard systems. You will ensure safety, follow lockout/tag-out procedures, and support a deck-plate installation team in dynamic production schedules.

Ideal candidates have 10+ years of field experience, MIL-STD-2042 certification, ability to read electrical drawings, and capability to lift 50 pounds while operating hand and power tools

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of 10 years of direct fiber optic cable installation experience.
• Certification to install, terminate & test fiber optic cabling per MIL-STD-2042.
• Proficient in performing cable testing with minimal supervision.
• Proficient with OTDRs, OLTS, light sources, fault locators & inspection scopes.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical installation drawings and red-lines.
• U.S. Citizen with active Secret clearance or eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Serve as SME for shipboard fiber optic cable installation, termination, testing & troubleshooting.
• Conduct WAF & lockout/tag-out processes as required.
• Oversee installation team performance on deck-plate level; coordinate with subcontractors.
• Provide feedback to project engineer and leadership.
• Observe and adhere to safety regulations and procedures during installation activities.
• Mentor team members on safety and compliance with procedures.

Skills

Fiber optic installation

Termination & testing

Troubleshooting

Safety procedures

Cable routing

Reading drawings

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

MIL-STD-2042 certification

Tools

Optical Time-Domain Reflectometers

Optical loss test sets

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. Are you ready to make an impact? Begin your journey of a flourishing and meaningful career,

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.

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling.

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.

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.

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 $17.2 billion for the fiscal year ended January * 2, 2026. 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 here.

Securing Your Data Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information at any part of the employment application process. And Leidos will communicate with you only through emails that are sent from a Leidos.com email address. If you receive an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information, please report the email to [e-mail].

Commitment and Diversity 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.